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48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 29, 2004 SOC BASEBALL GLANCE NORTH MEDFORD COACH: Brett Wolfe (10th year) LAST YEAR: 25-4, 13-1 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 4-1. Advertisement RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Rob Folsom C/P Sr. Russ Vandell 3B Sr. Beau Hovland SS/P Sr. Charlie Behnke 3B/P Sr. Jeff Adams 2B Sr. Sammy McHenry CF Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Abe Eubanks 1B So. Brandon White 1B/DH/C Sr. Kyle Williamson SS/OF Jr. Matt Schmeltzer OF Jr. Brian Place P Sr. Cole Rohrbough P Jr. Josh Suarez LF/P Jr. AT A GLANCE: No team will cry for North, but the Tornado does have to reshuffle the deck quite a bit after losing a lot from last year’s top-ranked squad. The outfield is entirely new, and the pitching staff is essentially unproven. "We lost a lot of kids from last year, but I’m pretty comfortable with our team," says Wolfe. "I like our kids. They like the game, like to compete, play hard and they listen." ... No better leader by example can be found than in Folsom, who was a first-team all-state catcher last year and has already committed to OSU. ... Hovland and Folsom were limited in their mound duties last year, with Rohrbough, Place and Suarez all bumped up from the JV. Rohrbough and Suarez each provide a good complement from the left side to righties Hovland and Place. ... Vandell has been missing in action due to appendicitis, but is slated to be released to play this week and should be up to game speed in a couple weeks. ... Stepping into the outfield will be Schmeltzer, Suarez and Williamson on the corners and McHenry in center. ... After a limited role at second the past two years, Adams moves in full time, while first-year performers Eubanks and White will split duties at first and DH. SOUTH MEDFORD COACH: Steve Antich (third year) LAST YEAR: 11-14, 6-8 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 4-1. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Corey O’Neill CF Sr. Dan Chancler LF Jr. Tim Holtz P/3B Sr. Matt Bryant P/3B Sr. Andy Narus SS Sr. Tyler Heil 2B/P Jr. Allen Smith 1B Sr. Justin Meyer C/DH Jr. Ben Koziol C So. OTHER NOTABLES Logan Boyd RF Jr. Kevin Salisbury DH Sr. Evan Norris 3B/2B Sr. Tommy George P So. AT A GLANCE: South returns its entire lineup from last year save for left fielder Jeremy Frantz, who moved on to Western Baptist. The Panther cast also barely missed out on a trip to the regionals during American Legion ball with the Colts, so the 2004 outlook is better than ever at South. "We feel like if we take care of our side of the equation," says Antich, "we’ll be pretty darn good." ... Antich considers his trio of outfielders in O’Neill, Chancler and Boyd as the team’s foundation. O’Neill and Chancler were both first-team all-SOC picks last year, and Boyd has that same upside after missing last year with a knee injury. ... The infield is solid but could use more consistency. Narus has the ability to make all the plays at shortstop, while Heil and Smith are steady. ... The pitching rotation remains intact from last year as Holtz, Heil, Bryant and George will man the mound in an entirely right-handed rotation. Holtz has shown a willingness to take the ball in big games and will be asked to step up his game even more this season for the Panthers to make a title run. ... South boasts a bevy of hitters, sparked by O’Neill in the leadoff spot, Narus at No. 2, Chancler at 3 and the sweet-swinging Smith in the cleanup spot. ASHLAND COACH: Jason Robustelli (second year) LAST YEAR: 13-13, 8-6 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 4-0. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Chad Hegdahl P/1B Sr. Ben Dodds 2B Sr. Jackson Rowe 1B/DH Sr. Arron Nelson CF Sr. Brian Ross C/P Sr. Micah Weston SS/P Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Rocky Reeser 3B Sr. Steve Jorgensen C/Util Jr. Jeff Skinner RF Jr. Josh McDermott OF/P Jr. Andrew Delcarlo P/OF Jr. John Goldberg LF So. Aaron San Nicholas P/OF So. Aaron Decker INF/P So. AT A GLANCE: With first-team all-SOC standout Hegdahl and five other senior starters returning, there’s more than enough reason for optimism in Ashland. "They’ve got a little seasoning under them and definitely know what it takes to get the job done," Robustelli says. "They know what the competition is like, and it isn’t going to be overwhelming like it was last year." ... Hegdahl led the conference last year with a .511 batting average, and the left-hander is the SOC’s most dominant returning pitcher. The crafty third-year starter features a potent changeup and curveball to go with a sneaky fastball. "He’s got good stuff and he’s passionate about baseball," says Robustelli. "He leads by example for the other kids." ... Weston has been sharp on the mound as the Grizzlies’ No. 2 man, with Ross and San Nicholas also expected to chew up some innings. ... Rowe provides a high on-base percentage, while Goldberg should keep teams honest with his powerful swing in the five-hole behind Hegdahl. Weston and Nelson also swing potent bats for the Grizz. "We’ve got some sticks," says Robustelli. "I think there’s a lot of potential for bigger innings." ROSEBURG COACH: Troy Thompson (second year) LAST YEAR: 12-13, 6-8 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 1-2. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Kerry Hall P/SS/3B Sr. Michael Mitchell C Sr. Tanner Clagett 1B/P Sr. Aaron Buxton 2B/SS Jr. Blake Keitzman P/OF So. Ryan Robinson P Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Brian Benson C Jr. Mitchell Nelson OF So. Quentin Clark OF Jr. Kevan Gerretsen 1B Sr. Alex Cook P Jr. Brandt Walker OF Jr. Eric Thompson P/3B So. Dusty Brigham Util Jr. AT A GLANCE: Despite losing staff ace Nick Waechter to graduation, pitching stands to be Roseburg’s strength again this season. Senior right-handers Kerry Hall and Ryan Robinson return to the mound, and are joined by sophomore lefty Blake Keitzman and 6-foot-6 sophomore Eric Thompson. "Those guys have to do a good job for us to be competitive," says Troy Thompson. Hall displays tremendous control and rhythm on the mound, while Robinson effectively hovers around the plate and Keitzman has more pop than most pitchers. ... Outfield is a question mark for the Indians, essentially putting a new cast out in the grass. Keitzman, Nelson, Clark and Walker should capably hold down those spots. "We’re inexperienced out there but have good athletes and kids who can run and go get the ball," says the coach. ... Buxton and Hall, both second-team all-SOC picks last year, will be Roseburg’s main threats at the plate, with good things also expected out of Clagett, Mitchell and Clark. "We’ll be a gap-to-gap team and try to utilize some speed," Troy Thompson says. ... Defensively, the Indians’ infield should be steady with anchors like Hall, Buxton and Clagett. KLAMATH UNION COACH: Tim Simmers (third year) LAST YEAR: 16-10, 8-6 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 3-2. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Sean Anderson CF Sr. Cory Spires SS/1B Sr. Jeff Tidwell P/SS/2B Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Daniel Bennett P/LF Jr. Bryan Rogers C Sr. Cody Bryan P/1B Sr. Kevin Huntley P/1B Jr. Christian Anderson 2B/OF Jr. Adam Cornachione 3B So. Trevor Stine OF Sr. Aaron Montgomery OF Fr. Mark Cruz P/Util So. AT A GLANCE: As a four-year starter, Anderson will be asked to assume the leadership role Jon James so capably handled last year. "As one of our senior guys and our leadoff hitter, he’ll set the tone in ballgames for us," says Simmers. ... Anderson will be joined by Spires, Bennett and Rogers as the catalysts to a KU offense that didn’t have a single home run last year but already has three this spring. "We’re going to have to manufacture runs again," says Simmers. "We’re the type of team that looks at a line drive, bloop single or drag bunt as the same in the scorebook. We’ll take whatever comes our way." ... Right-handers Bennett and Tidwell return to the mound, with Bennett offering a steady fastball and willingness to throw an off-speed pitch at any time and Tidwell using more of a power approach. "Daniel brings a lot of grit to the table," says Simmers. "He’s got a lot of heart and wants to be on the mound." ... Bryan was hit above the right eye on a comebacker against McMinnville recently and received six stitches. ... KU reached the state playoffs last year for the first time since 1992, bowing out in a second-round loss at home to Grant. ... Limited numbers at KU means a pitching change could bring about a handful of other moves to reset the lineup. CRATER COACH: Jim Powell (second year) LAST YEAR: 12-12, 6-8 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 1-2. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Dan Whitehead CF Sr. Adam Reed SS Sr. Sean Teaters 1B/P Sr. Kurtis Knutson P/1B Sr. Joe Kahut C/2B Sr. Gary Gomes C/3B/OF Sr. Evan Seegmiller P/2B Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Brad Evans OF Sr. Jeff Weiss OF/SS Jr. Trevor Wolter P/2B So. Charlie Reina C Fr. AJ Herbold 3B/P Sr. Nick Rose OF Sr. AT A GLANCE: Crater boasts 10 seniors and plenty of athletes, but finding the right spot for each has posed the biggest obstacle thus far. "Were trying to find our way right now," says Powell, who is looking for his second straight trip to the state playoffs. "You’d think with this many seniors you’d be set, but we’re still moving players around." ... Reed, a first-team all-SOC infielder last year, took a ball in the eye recently and his return date is unknown. ... Speed will be the name of the game for the Comets, especially in the outfield with Whitehead, Weiss and Evans, a transfer from Weed, Calif. "We cover a lot of ground between all three of those guys," says Powell. "They can get into the gaps pretty quick." ... As the ace on a staff with all right-handers, Knutson boasts a sneaky fastball and can mix in a curveball or changeup to keep teams honest. "I feel comfortable that no matter what game I put him in," Powell says, "he can go the distance." ... Seegmiller and Teaters will split the No. 2 duties. ... Whitehead sparks the offense in the leadoff spot, with Weiss and Teaters as the lone left-handed bats. "To compete in our league, everybody has to hit," says Powell. "You can’t have any dead spots." GRANTS PASS COACH: Stacy Morgan (16th year) LAST YEAR: 9-13, 5-9 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 2-3. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Patrick Allen CF Jr. Nolan Morgan P/OF Jr. Matt Cowell 3B Sr. Jack Doman OF Sr. Anthony Schaff P/OF Jr. Steve Draper 2B Jr. Paul Fode 1B/OF Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Mike Mills SS/P Jr. Jim Blake Util Sr. Ryan Tuttle 1B/DH Sr. Adam Donnelly C Jr. AT A GLANCE: Having to dismiss 10 players from the baseball program hindered Grants Pass last year, but Stacy Morgan says it might have been for the best as the Cavemen optimistically head into 2004. "I think it’s a closer-knit group of kids because we went through a pretty tough situation last year," he says. ... Allen will be looked to for leadership in his third year on varsity. The center fielder boasts a quick bat in the No. 3 spot and can spray the ball to all fields. "He just continually wants to get better," says Morgan. "He’s always hanging around wanting to do more, and after a while he just wears you out." ... Nolan Morgan, the coach’s nephew, will be relied upon as one of GP’s top arms. "He throws hard, and when he’s around the plate doing his thing, he’s a tough pitcher to handle," says Stacy Morgan. " ... Mills, another right-hander, will share top pitching duties and has a knack for throwing strikes and working fast. Schaff and Fode, the team’s lone lefty, also will see time on the mound. ... Cowell sparks the offense from the leadoff spot, with Fode, Draper, Tuttle, Mills and Morgan capable of taking the weight off Allen’s shoulders at the plate. ... "We’ve said all along that we get 21 outs, and if we play catch and throw strikes, we should be OK," says Stacy Morgan. EAGLE POINT COACH: Tom Britton (26th year) LAST YEAR: 11-14, 4-10 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 2-3. RETURNING STARTERS Player Pos. Yr. Ricky O’Callahan C Sr. Ron Depuy P Sr. Ryan Augino SS Jr. OTHER NOTABLES Nick Staller 2B So. Derek Grieve 1B/P/C So. AJ Nichols CF So. Juan Almaraz 3B/P Jr. Logan Rock DH/1B Jr. Kyle Snyder LF Jr. Steve Wyatt RF Sr. Brent Smith OF/Util Sr. Joe Miller DH/C Sr. AT A GLANCE: If someone ever wanted to find the fountain of youth, Eagle Point might be a good place to start because the Eagles seemingly are eternally young. EP starts three sophomores and four juniors, and time will tell whether any more underclassmen are brought to the top level. "All these younger kids are pretty good athletes," says Britton. "They’re being tossed into the fire a little early in some cases, but I think they can handle it. We’re not going to roll over for anyone." ... O’Callahan is the unquestioned leader of the group. He’s been behind the plate since his sophomore season and lettered as a freshman. "He’s definitely one of the top players in the league," says Britton. "He’s one of those throwback kids who hustles all the time and just thrives on baseball. He’s one of those kids whose the first to show up and last to leave." ... EP’s top pitcher, Depuy, left the team midway through last year to resolve personal matters but has returned to give the Eagles a steady presence on the mound as the lone southpaw. ... Grieve is expected to assume the No. 2 pitching role, with O’Callahan and Almaraz sprinkled into the mix. ... Augino’s move to shortstop should be seamless, with the gifted glover also boasting the team’s highest average (.444) last year. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! 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