Baseball preview
4A GREATER ST. HELENS
Heritage: Key players: Chris Stansberry, sr.; Tyler Raskin, sr.; Michael Youngs, sr.; Marcus Mason, jr.; Dakota Clevidence, jr. After early season disciplinary actions cut into the heart of Heritage’s lineup, the Timberwolves will be a young squad with three seniors and six players who saw varsity action last season.
Skyview: Key players: Cole Buruse, sr.; Erick Meyer, sr.,; Iam Hamilton, jr.,; Brayden Maney, jr. The Storm lost 14 players from last year’s team. But they have a solid group of young players who could push Skyview to challenge for the league title.
Union: Key players: Clint Coulter, sr.; Seaver Whalen, jr.; Jake Hawken, so. Coulter has the potential to be a first-round selection in the June MLB draft. The Titans are looking for other players to step up this season to help the team make a playoff push.
3A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE
Camas: Austin Barr, sr.; Nate Culver, sr.; Nate Lauritzen, sr.; Connor McClellan, sr.; Chad Spring, sr.; Dylan White, so. The Papermakers return a solid nucleus of returning players from a team that went 26-1 last season.
Columbia River: Michael McCann, jr.; Oscar Golberg, jr.; Tanner Bogart, sr.; Auston Oury, sr.; Seth Rayburn, so. The Chieftains have six returning starters, which is six more than they had a year ago after reaching the state semifinals in 2010. Solid hitting will be River’s strength and pitching development will be the key to getting back to district and bi-district playoffs.
Fort Vancouver: Hayden Heying, sr.; Anthony Gardner, sr.; Joe Johnson, sr.; Andy Johnson, sr.; Noel Solis, sr. The Trappers have a roster that consists of 10 seniors (six with varsity experience). Fort hopes to use its pitching and defense to contend for a playoff berth.
Hudson’s Bay: Emilio Alcantar, sr.; Mathew “Buck” Hale, sr.; Jai Girod, sr. The Eagles’ three returning all-league players will provide senior leadership. Getting solid pitching will be key for Bay’s playoff push.
Kelso: Slate Miller, sr.; Trevor Feeney, sr.; Cobi Johnson, jr.; Taylor Radcliffe, jr.; Quentin Hakkinen, jr. The Hilanders graduated a big class last season, so they will look to younger players to step up.
CLASS 2A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE
Hockinson: Jake Manson, jr.; Doug Macdonald, sr.; Blake Kjensrud, sr.; Torey Dunn, sr.; Ryan Logan, sr. The Hawks return an experience team that has 10 seniors and six juniors, and eight regular starters from 2011. Hockinson hopes that experience helps it challenge Mark Morris.
Woodland Bryce McQuivey, jr.; Cy Whitmire, jr.; Troy Wasson, sr.; Hunter Huddleston, so.; Colton Lucas, so. The Beavers are young, but return 10 players who started in at least 10 games last season.
CLASS 1A TRICO LEAGUE
Kalama: Lars Rider, sr.; Austin Lien, jr.; Tanner Vossen, jr.; Casey Mazza, sr.; Josh Vance, sr. Kalama is aiming for its fifth consecutive league championship as well as a solid showing at the state tournament.
