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CLOUDY Temp: 46 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, April 18, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 31, 2003 SOC BASEBALL GLANCE NORTH MEDFORD COACH: Brett Wolfe (ninth year) LAST YEAR: 22-4, 11-3 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 3-1. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Rob Folsom C/P Jr. Dustin Butler 1B Sr. Tyler Engle 2B Sr. J.C. Rowley LF Sr. Brett Timmerman P/RF Sr. Russ Vandell 3B Jr. Jimmy Ulrey LF/C/P Sr. Beau Hovland SS/P Jr. OTHER NOTABLES Jeff Adams 2B Sr. Reese Lamson CF Sr. Travis Glass P Sr. Charlie Behnke 3B/P Jr. Sammy McHenry INF/OF Jr. AT A GLANCE: The last group that Brett Wolfe says compares with his 2003 bunch is the one in 2000 in which most players had been together for so many years that the camaraderie, chemistry and leadership was overflowing. That group won the SOC title and finished runner-up to Crater in the state championship. "They’re all quality kids," says Wolfe. "They make good decisions on and off the field." ... North’s 1-2 pitching punch of Brett Timmerman and Dustin Butler stands to be as steady as any, and Wolfe says he won’t hesitate to get mound work in for Travis Glass, Rob Folsom and Beau Hovland. "I have absolutely no concerns about our pitching," the coach says of his team’s perceived weak link. "I’ll let others worry about that. I like where we’re at." ... As if second-ranked North needed more confidence heading into the season, returners Folsom, Timmerman, Butler, Jimmy Ulrey and Tyler Engle played pivotal roles this past summer in leading the Medford Mustangs (49-13) to the American Legion World Series. "We’re not overconfident, but playing on the Mustangs showed us what it takes to get there in the end," says Engle. ROSEBURG COACH: Troy Thompson (first year) LAST YEAR: 22-7, 8-6 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 2-0. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Nick Waechter P/SS Sr. Kerry Hall 3B/P Jr. Marcus Simone CF Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Tye McCool Util Sr. Chris Guyett OF/P Sr. Josh Stults OF Sr. Michael Mitchell C Jr. Tanner Clagett 1B/P Jr. Aaron Buxton 2B So. Blake Keitzman OF/P Fr. Jake Dorsey OF Sr. Ryan Robinson P Jr. Damien Dantibo P/OF Jr. Steve Hanussak C Sr. AT A GLANCE: After three years as assistant to Ron Goodell, Troy Thompson takes his turn as head coach with a solid crew on the mound leading the way. "We have a lot of throwers," says Thompson, "we’re just trying to figure out who the pitchers are going to be." ... Leading the rotation will be right-handers Nick Waechter and Kerry Hall, the team’s No. 3 and 4 hurlers last season. "Nick’s a competitor," says Thompson. "He’ll fight until the last pitch is thrown and wants to be out there when the game’s on the line. Kerry’s always in control and never gets out of his rhythm and his plan. He’s mentally very strong." ... Also expected to see time on the mound are left- handers Chris Guyett and Blake Keitzman and righty Ryan Robinson. ... Waechter, Hall and Marcus Simone will be asked to carry the offense as several newcomers get their feet wet at the varsity level. Minus the big bats of season’s past, Roseburg’s plan is to hit to gaps and take advantage of good team speed. Aaron Buxton and Josh Stults will be tasked with setting the table for Waechter, Hall and Simone. ASHLAND COACH: Jason Robustelli (first year) LAST YEAR: 18-8, 11-3 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 3-1. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Chad Hegdahl P/1B Jr. Bryan Clevenger SS Sr. Chase Cook C/RF Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Jimmy Page P Sr. Elliot Stone P/LF Sr. Chris Presicci INF Sr. Zack Miedecke 1B Sr. Ben Dodds 2B Jr. Jackson Rowe 1B/3B Jr. Arron Nelson CF Jr. Brian Ross C/P Jr. Micah Weston P/INF Jr. Wes Tigerson OF Sr. AT A GLANCE: Jason Robustelli may be a first-year head coach at Ashland, but he has played a vital role in the Grizzlies’ resurgence over the past three years as a top assistant to Doug Stover. Robustelli ran Ashland’s practices and called all the pitches under Stover. ... The cupboard is far from bare for Robustelli, with first-team all-SOC pitcher Chad Hegdahl returning and a bevy of up-and-comers from Ashland’s American Legion team this past summer. "Really it’s a whole new team, but I expect some big things out of them," says Robustelli. "A lot of people are counting us out because we graduated a number of players, but this group coming back is pretty strong. There’s not going to be a dropoff." ... Using a potent changeup and an effective fastball and curveball, Hegdahl handcuffed teams last year to the tune of a 7-1 record and 1.59 ERA in the regular season. "He doesn’t try to overpower or strike anybody out," says Robustelli. "He’s just trying to get a groundball." ... Rounding out the pitching rotation will be left-handers Jimmy Page and Elliot Stone and right-handers Micah Weston and Brian Ross. GRANTS PASS COACH: Stacy Morgan (15th year) LAST YEAR: 14-10, 6-8 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 2-2. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Josh McGowan SS Sr. Patrick Allen OF So. Zack Amaranthus OF Sr. Ryan Davidson P/1B Sr. Dan Mecum P/C Sr. Spencer Holland OF Jr. OTHER NOTABLES Mike Mills P/3B So. Nolan Morgan P/1B So. Matt Cowell 2B Jr. Josh Tierce 2B/OF Sr. Jim Blake INF Jr. Jack Doman C Jr. Ryan Tuttle 3B/DH Jr. Mark Heater P Sr. Anthony Schaff P So. AT A GLANCE: If Grants Pass can discover how to blend a handful of varsity regulars with a similar amount of newcomers, the Cavemen are as likely as any to claim their first state playoff bid since 1996. "We lost a lot of one-run games last year," says coach Stacy Morgan. "If we can figure out how to get around those, who knows where we’ll be." ... Leading the charge will be all-SOC picks Josh McGowan, Patrick Allen and Zack Amaranthus, along with seniors Ryan Davidson and Dan Mecum. Allen sets the table for the offense as leadoff hitter, with McGowan, Mecum and Davidson charged with helping the Cavemen increase their scoring output over last season. ... Davidson and Mecum will share the brunt of innings among the pitchers, with sophomores Nolan Morgan and Mike Mills, senior lefty Mark Heater and Anthony Schaff, a junior transfer from Roseburg, adding depth to the rotation. "We’re still trying to find our identity," says Morgan. "We need to get our sophomores playing at the level of our older kids." KLAMATH UNION COACH: Tim Simmers (second year) LAST YEAR: 12-12, 6-8 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 2-1. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Jon James P/SS Sr. Aaron Croxford DH/OF Sr. Cory Spires SS/1B Jr. Sean Anderson C/OF Jr. Jeff Tidwell P/3B Jr. OTHER NOTABLES Daniel Bennett P/OF So. Brandt Renstrom 2B So. Brian Quigley Util/P Sr. Bryan Rogers C/Inf Jr. AT A GLANCE: As Jon James goes, so goes the Pelicans’ hope of making it to the playoffs for the first time since 1994. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior right-hander will be asked to step up to the No. 1 pitching spot, but is more than capable of handling the pressure. "The thing with Jon is he’ll compete with the best of them," says KU coach Tim Simmers. "Probably his biggest asset as a pitcher is he has real good control and keeps the ball down." ... Power pitcher Jeff Tidwell and up-and-comer Daniel Bennett round out the expected rotation. ... James, Aaron Croxford and Cory Spires will be relied upon to provide the brunt of the offense until the Pelicans’ youthful corps gains more experience. "We’re not a team that’s going to go hit balls out of the yard very much," says Simmers. "We’re going to need to manufacture runs and get hits in bunches to get some runs." ... With only five returning lettermen, and a host of rainouts impairing his judgment, Simmers says it could be another few weeks before he settles on his lineup. "We’re kind of in a tough situation right now, but we think we can go out and attempt to compete with the big boys and see what happens," says the coach. "We’re working on about 15 different lineups right now. Hopefully we can get that cut down before too long." SOUTH MEDFORD COACH: Steve Antich (second year) LAST YEAR: 9-12-1, 5-9 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 2-3. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Jeremy Frantz LF Sr. Corey O’Neill CF Jr. OTHER NOTABLES Dan Chancler RF So. Tim Holtz 3B/P Jr. Matt Bryant P/3B Jr. Andy Narus SS Jr. Tyler Heil 2B/P So. Allen Smith P/1B Jr. Grant Goodson 1B Sr. Justin Meyer C So. Ryan Alvis OF/P Sr. Chris Logan OF Sr. AT A GLANCE: South Medford played its best baseball of the season in its final four games against playoff qualifiers, splitting with Crater and sweeping Roseburg. Head coach Steve Antich and crew will look to build on that with an almost entirely new nucleus taking the field in 2003. "We’ve got spots everywhere that kids have to step up," says Antich. "If they do, I’d like to believe we could fight for that third or fourth playoff spot." ... Second-team all-SOC outfielder Jeremy Frantz and junior leadoff hitter Corey O’Neill are South’s lone returning starters, and both will be crucial to the Panthers’ offensive production. Frantz, who recently signed on to play at Western Baptist College, has the most potent bat in South’s lineup, while O’Neill is a gritty batter who can burn you once on base. ... South suffered a loss prior to the season when Logan Boyd went down to a knee injury. The sophomore was expected to help protect Frantz in the lineup, as well as pitch. ... Matt Bryant, Tim Holtz and Allen Smith (lefty) comprise South’s top pitching rotation, with left-hander Ryan Alvis providing late-game support. Tyler Heil could also see some time on the mound. CRATER COACH: Jim Powell (first year) LAST YEAR: 17-10, 8-6 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 1-0. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Colin Schoonover SS Sr. Kevin Mulder P/1B Sr. Dan Whitehead CF Jr. Shawn Teaters P/1B Jr. OTHER NOTABLES Joe Kahut 2B Jr. Mike Peila C Sr. Andrew Norum OF Sr. Tom Hammond OF Sr. Gary Miller P/OF Sr. Adam Reed 3B Jr. Gary Gomes 3B/OF Jr. Evan Seegmiller P Jr. Kurtis Knutson P Jr. Brandon Estremado 2B/DH Jr. AT A GLANCE: Jim Powell will be looking to make a seamless transition in taking over for former Crater High coach Chuck Dominiak, whose 19-year run included 15 trips to the state playoffs, one state title in 2000 and six straight 20-win seasons from 1996-2001. "The players have made it easier because of how hard they’ve been working and their willingness to work together," says Powell. "None of the goals have been diminished from previous years." ... Returning pitchers Kevin Mulder and Shawn Teaters are a study in contrasts, with the lefty Mulder able to work the ball well while the right Teaters is a hard thrower. "Kevin Mulder and Teaters have to step up this year and do it for us," says Powell. "They have the most varsity experience and have to be able to handle a lot of innings." Supporting the duo will be lefty Gary Miller and right-hander Andrew Norum, who returns after a year absence. ... Colin Schoonover will be asked to steady the infield as returning shortstop, as well as set the table for Crater’s top batters in Teaters, Dan Whitehead, Mike Peila and Joe Kahut. EAGLE POINT COACH: Tom Britton (25th year) LAST YEAR: 11-15, 1-13 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 3-0. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Ricky O’Callahan C Jr. Ron Depuy P Jr. Ryan Augino 2B So. Chris Boyd OF/P Sr. Mark Farrell OF Sr. Kevin Gray 1B Sr. Carl Christian P Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Tyson Nelson SS/P Sr. Richie Cruz 3B/1B/P Sr. Scott Snow OF Sr. David Hinkle INF Sr. Casey Hedrick P/CF Sr. AT A GLANCE: Eagle Point shadows North Medford in number of returning players, but little else as the Eagles have been snake-bitten the past few years thanks to injuries and inexperience. With eight returning starters, and top player Tyson Nelson back in the fold after a year layoff, head coach Tom Britton is looking for a breakout season. "I just hope luck stays in our corner this year," says Britton. "We’ve had some tough breaks in the last couple years. Hopefully we can play up to our abilities and make the league interesting." ... Nelson’s return at shortstop helps stabilize the infield as well as EP’s offensive production. The senior will also be asked to take his turn on the mound this season to give the Eagles a hard-throwing righty to offset left-handers Ron Depuy, Casey Hedrick and Carl Christian. ... Depuy is EP’s unquestioned ace in his third year on the mound. "He’s just a crafty little guy," says Britton. "He has spots the ball real well. He’s a pitcher, not a thrower." ... Providing depth among the pitching staff will be right-handers Chris Boyd and Richie Cruz. ... Nelson, Mark Farrell and Kevin Gray will be asked to be catalysts for EP’s offensive attack. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S