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Wild Skyline starts with big showdown By Kris Henry As odd as it may sound, a sizable step toward the Skyline Conference baseball title could be taken Saturday at Hagler-James Park in Talent. That�s where the marquee matchup for opening day in Skyline play will take place between defending league and state champion Mazama and a Phoenix team ready to challenge for the crown. "That�s a tough draw right out of the hat here," says Phoenix coach Joe Hagler. "They�re a very good team." Mazama coach Jeff Sturgeon considers the formidable opener a blessing. "I kind of like starting out with Phoenix because it helps the kids stay focused right off the bat," says Sturgeon, whose team has won the last two Skyline titles. "I�d rather start that way than have the potentially easier bottom teams start you off. I�d rather get after it in Round 1." That said, Sturgeon and crew will be hoping for a split against the Pirates. "For us to go over there and even win one is going to be a battle," he says. In other Skyline Conference openers Saturday, Rogue River plays at Illinois Valley, Hidden Valley at Henley and Lakeview at North Valley. Each doubleheader starts at noon. The matchup between Henley and Hidden Valley could also be huge in gaining a step toward dethroning Mazama. Henley is this year�s championship favorite, and Hidden Valley is not far behind with Phoenix and North Valley. The Henley-Hidden Valley matchup will also feature a battle of extremes when it comes to coaching as Henley�s Dale Hauck enters his 26th and final year and Hidden Valley�s Mark Vidlak makes his league debut as a head coach. "I was coaching when he was playing," says Hauck. "That kid was a fantastic athlete. He could run like a deer and really hit the ball well. I think he�s going to instill a lot of enthusiasm into that program." If he can get all his players healthy for the league race, few coaches stand to be as enthusiastic as Hagler at Phoenix. The Pirates return one of the league�s most dominant players in senior third baseman/pitcher Travis Dunlap and a host of other standouts in Landon Rhodes, Bobby Dawson, Kyle Kaufman and Tyler McPhee. Dunlap has been selected to the all-state second team twice and has 25 home runs thus far in his productive career at Phoenix. "Dunlap could very well be the MVP of the league," says North Valley coach Mike Reese. "Phoenix has had some really talented players over the years, and he may be the cream of the crop." Dunlap and Landon Rhodes give Phoenix a strong 1-2 punch on the mound, with left-handed sophomore Brady Rhodes ready to fill in at a moment�s notice. Phoenix has a history of being able to pound the baseball from a hitter�s standpoint and that won�t change with this year�s lineup. "We have some kids who are a good size who can swing the bat pretty well," says Hagler. "We just have to make sure we put the ball in play and cut down on our strikeouts. A lot of time when people start swinging big, you trade that for strikeouts, and I�d rather have them hit for average." Few teams will have the luxury of hitting for average against Henley�s starting duo of Brad Bailey and Travis Boshuizen. Both were imposing figures in the Skyline race last season and stand to only be better this season. The key for Henley will be how soon the offense catches up to an already strong defense, led by junior shortstop Brian Kinsman. The Hornets stung Class 4A squad Eagle Point earlier this season but were thoroughly spanked, 11-3, by Ashland in a lackluster follow-up performance. Mazama has been the most competitive team in the Skyline�s annual non-league affairs with 4A powers from the Southern Oregon Conference. The Vikings split a doubleheader with defending 4A champ Crater and lost a tough 2-1 decision to South Medford. Leading the charge for the Vikings is lefty Lance Wagner, who figures to be one of the top pitchers in Southern Oregon, not just the Skyline Conference. "He�s going to be tough," says Reese. "He�s going to hold everyone down." Sturgeon says Wagner gets by on ball movement and placement rather than overpowering batters. "He�s not a guy who�s going to throw it by you, but he keeps everyone off-balance," says the coach. "He�s a typical crafty left-hander." North Valley returns a steady senior class, led by all-leaguers Cory Pedersen, Justin Sullivan and Scott Butterbaugh. Also leading the way for the Knights are senior returners Aaron Phelps, Tyler Shipley and John Gould as well as sophomore Ariah Nead and freshman Drew Peterson. Hidden Valley features senior pitcher Scott Hyde as well as returners Rob Adler, Troy Beard, Trevor Schmidt, Tyler Mason, Nick Mason and Calvin Schmidt. Hyde went 8-2 last season, while Beard and Adler both provide plenty of pop at the plate. Third baseman Trevor Schmidt was an all-league selection last year as a freshman. Lakeview, Rogue River and Illinois Valley round out the bottom portion of the league race. Rogue River is led by returning catcher Ryan Woodall and starters Danny Hunter, Michael Welch and Travis Bowers. Freshman third baseman/pitcher Matt Frederick also figures to have an impact. Lakeview has a new head coach in Jim Copeland but some battle-tested talent in juniors Carl Fairburn and Nolan Yocum and seniors Chris Griffin and Tony Dolbear. Regardless of projected finish, the Skyline coaches say each team in the league has enough talent to win on any given day. "Our league�s pretty well proven that it�s going to be the closest from top to bottom that it�s been in a long time and maybe the best in the state," says Reese. "The third place team in this league could win the state championship." Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.