Western AA Conference Baseball Capsules

Arlington Eagles

Coach - Tom Roys, fourth season.

1994 record - 12-4 in league, 16-7 overall.

Returning starters - Nathan Barnett, P/IB, Sr.; Ross Mullin, CF, Sr.

Others to watch - Jake Dahl, OF/P, Sr.; Matt Horne, OF/P, Sr.; Jeff Steele, SS, Jr.; Cody Fay, 2B, Sr.; Zack McKinney, C, Sr.

Outlook - The Eagles were hit hard by graduation, but return 10 seniors, so they should figure prominently in the playoff race. Watch for Barnett, who hits the ball as hard as anyone in WesCo.

Coach's comment - "Lake Stevens is the cream of the league and should be a runaway league winner. The next three positions will be very competitive. . . . We expect to compete for one of the top four spots and postseason play."

Bainbridge Spartans

Coach - Mack Atkinson, fourth season.

1994 record - 8-8 in league, 10-10 overall.

Returning starters - Toby Staab, C, Sr.; Aaron Endresen, SS, Sr.; Josh Kerkhoff, OF, Sr.; Joe Connelly, P, Jr.; Jason Beattie, 1B, Jr.

Outlook - With just three seniors on the roster, Spartans need to have a strong and consistent showing from underclassmen to move up the standings.

Coach's comment - "We will be green. This is our best hitting team, potentially, with good team speed. Our outfield is young and inexperienced, and the infield is seasoned."

Kamiak Knights

Coach - Steve Merkley, second season.

1994 record - 4-12 in league, 5-13 overall.

Returning starters - Nick Freeman, SS, Sr.; J.J. Reed, C, Sr.; Clarence Trinidad, 2B, Jr.; B.J. Johnson, utility, Jr.; Chris Geiger, P/1B, Jr.; J.J. Kelley, P, Sr.; Cory Barbarry, OF, Jr.; Tom Featherstone, P/OF, Jr.; Jon Foote, P, Sr.; Cory Wendlandt, 3B, Sr.; Brice Johnson, 3B/OF, So.

Others to watch - Brandon Christensen, OF, Jr.; Andrew Austin, P/OF, Jr.

Outlook - Last year's growing pains could pay big dividends this season for the second-year Knights. Could be the team to make the big move up the league standings.

Coach's comment - "This will be our first season with a full complement of seniors. The year of varsity experience for the entire team means a lot. We expect to battle for one of the playoff spots. We are very strong up the middle, and now have a veteran pitching staff."

Lake Stevens Vikings

Coach - Rodger Anderson, seventh season.

1994 record - 13-3 in league, 20-5 overall (third in state).

Returning starters - Ryan Bundy, C, Sr.; Chris Tavares, CF, Sr.; Ray Vodegel, 2B/DH, Sr.; K.J. Voorhees, SS/3B/OF, Sr.; Bryan Hall, P/3B, Jr.; Brandon Hanzal, P/1B, Jr.; Ryan Oase, P/SS, Jr.

Others to watch - Dave Bringedahl, 3B/1B, Sr.

Outlook - Vikings should experience same success as football team did in the fall. Lots of talent here - three quality pitchers (Oase, Hanzal and Hall), a superb catcher in Bundy and a center fielder (Tavares) who can run down almost anything. Viking fans should make postseason plans now.

Coach's comment - "We are hoping to repeat as WesCo AA champions, but in order to do this, we need to get, and keep, everyone healthy. Our starters are very talented, but we don't have the depth we had last year."

Lynnwood Royals

Coach - Dave Bianchini, fifth season.

1994 record - 4-12 in league, 5-15 overall.

Returning starters - Adam McNally, 3B/P, So.; Aaron Snider, SS/P, Sr.; Ryan Patrick, P, Sr.; Billy Ward, P, So.; Mark Ward, 1B, So.

Others to watch - Tim Andra, 2B, So.; Doug Ward, utility, Jr.; Christian Anderson, OF, Sr.

Outlook - A good-looking team for the future that can surprise an opponent or two. If Royals can develop an outfielder or two and get some consistency on offense, they could figure in the playoff picture.

Coach's comment - "We have a strong sophomore class with varsity experience and three strong pitchers. We have to get consistent performances day-in and day-out. We don't have much depth. We need to continue to develop our young talent, with the playoffs as a goal."

Meadowdale Chiefs

Coach - Ron Martin, 18th season.

1994 record - 4-12 in league, 6-14 overall.

Returning starters - Pete Doman, SS, Sr.; Will Lewis, 3B/P, Sr.; Brad Jackson, 3B/C, Sr.; Chris Morgan, RF/P, Sr.; Geno Timmons, 1B, Sr.; Ryan Karabach, LF, So.; Scott Pravitz, 2B, Sr.; Mike Walter, P/1B, Jr.

Others to watch - Dan Abbott, 2B, Sr.; Mike Lee, P/OF, So.; Graeme Hanson, OF, Jr.; Shane Roehl, 1B, Jr.

Outlook - One of Meadowdale's best players, senior pitcher/outfielder Brian Tucker, was hospitalized just before the season opener; he was stabbed when he went to a friend's aid during a fight. That puts some perspective on wins and losses.

Coach's comment - "Our pitching, hitting and defense must come through for us to be competitive."

Monroe Bearcats

Coach - Dave Rose, fifth season.

1994 record - 9-7 in league, 10-10 overall.

Returning starters - Corry Morris, OF/P, Sr.; Ryan Gaylord, 1B, Sr.; Travis Klein, OF, Sr.; Eric Chapman, 2B, Sr.; Nick Lyon, OF/P/3B, So.; Aaron Roed, SS, Jr.; Aaron Olson, P, Sr.

Others to watch - Jesse Fry, C, Sr.; John Pimental, OF/1B/P, Jr.; Dan Johnson, 3B, Jr.

Outlook - The Bearcats have made steady improvement over the past few seasons, and this could be the year they make the big step. Powered by seniors who have played together for the past three years. Should play a key role in the playoff race.

Coach's comment - "We expect to be in the top four. We had a good finish last year, and only lost two seniors. We must hit with the good teams, and must be ready to play every day."

Shorecrest Scots

Coach - Stan Taloff, ninth season (25th overall).

1994 record - 10-7 in league, 16-9 overall.

Returning starters - Ryan Woodward, CF/P, Sr.; Brian Campbell, RF, Sr.; Jason Wieg, C/OF, Jr.; John Brodie, SS, Jr.; Zach Reed, P/1B, Jr.; Owen Garmire, P/1B, So.; Scott Ruhlman, OF, Jr.; Vince Bakich, 3B, Jr.

Others to watch - Jon Mroos, 2B, Jr.; Dan Lloyd, C, Jr.

Outlook - Scots have talent, pitching and depth. Woodward is one of the top prosepcts in the state (Woodward can bring it on the mound and go get it in center field). Taloff's teams are always fundamentally sound, and combined with their talent, should push Lake Stevens for league title.

Coach's comment - "(We) return starters in every position except catcher and second base. Our strength is experienced players who battled to finish fourth in the Northwest District playoffs (last season)."

South Whidbey Falcons

Coach - Bill Patterson, 10th season.

1994 record - 9-7 in league, 12-8 overall.

Returning starters - None.

Others to watch - Simon Gerloffs, C, Sr.; Ryan Morrison, 1B, Jr.; Lloyd Gage, 2B, Jr.; Shawn Jackman, SS, Jr.; Nino Melchiorre, CF, Sr.

Outlook - Falcons graduated all starters from one of the pleasant surprises in WesCo last season, but South Whidbey may have better balance this season. If newcomers quickly adapt to varsity ball, could cause trouble for others.

Coach's comment - "We are putting nine new starters on the field, which will mean a little inexperience to begin with, but at the same time, a hungry, aggressive attitude should compensate for our lack of experience."