Metro Baseball Capsules
Metro AA League
Ballard
1995 record - 11-2 (second in Metro), 12-7-1 overall (lost 8-1 to Tyee in first round of state regionals).
Coach - Tam Hutchinson, sixth year.
Top returning players - RHP/OF Alex Zardis, Sr.; RHP Josh Case, Sr.; OF Graham Travis, Jr.; 3B Dale Patrick, Jr.; LHP/1B Keith Hameister, Jr.; Catcher Tony Hutchinson, Jr.; SS Kris Hanson, So.
Key newcomer - OF Johnnie Green, Sr.
Outlook - The Beavers graduated only one starter from last year's team, but he was a biggie - Metro MVP Kevin Miller, who batted .760, was drafted by Baltimore in the seventh round and now plays at Washington. Ballard has good pitching and defensive depth, and will look to All-Metro first-teamers Case and co-captain Zardis, to step up. Travis and Hanson return as All-Metro honorable mention players, while Green arrives from the track team for some added speed to the lineup.
Blanchet
1995 record - 8-5 (seventh in Metro).
Coach - George Monica, 17th year.
Top returning players - SS Miguel Saldin, Sr.; P/C Jon Minter, Sr.; RHP/1B Bryan Hill, Sr.; RHP/2B Brendan Wood, Sr.; 1B Ryan Boyle, Sr.; 3B Paul Bourgette, Sr.; OF Tony Majcher, Sr.; OF Jake Minter, Jr.
Outlook - Blanchet returns 12 seniors, four whom have started since their freshman year (All-Metro first team Saldin, All-Metro second team Minter, Hill, Wood). Wood and Hill, two of the league's top pitchers, will be welcomed back after injuries sidelined both for a good part of last year.
Chief Sealth
1995 record - 1-12 in Metro (last in Metro league).
Coach - Walt Miller, third year.
Top returning players - RHP/IF KC Green, Sr.; RHP/IF Eli Saleaumua, Sr.; OF Sopo Saleaumua, Jr.; P/OF Shane Vandevere, Jr.; IF/OF Curt Elliot, Jr.; C/P/1B Brandon Roettjer, Sr.
Key newcomers - SS Eric Mulkin, Fr.; 2B Danny Oliver, Sr.
Outlook - Sealth hopes to improve on last-year's record with a good mix of young players to accompany the more experienced. The Seahawks only lost a couple to graduation and look forward to the addition of Oliver who missed last season with an injury.
Cleveland
1995 record - Team dropped at midseason.
Coach - Charlie Henshall, first year.
Top returning players - RHP/IF Minh Khan, So.; RHP/IF Jay Johnson, Jr.; 1B/OF Lope Aben, Sr.; 1B/OF Sy Holland, Jr.
Key newcomers - RHP/3B Patrick Kelly, Fr.; SS Andy Chow, Fr.; IF Edward Brooks, Fr.
Outlook - After being unable to field a team at midseason last season, first-year Coach Henshall is carrying a 17-man roster to safeguard against repeat disaster. This is a building year for the young Eagles who will start five to six freshmen and hope to win some games while building a foundation.
Eastside Catholic
1995 record - 10-3 (third in Metro, lost to Seattle Prep in Metro playoffs), 15-7 overall.
Coach - Gary Seefried, second year.
Top returners - CF Evan Hecker, So.; C Jeff Craig, Sr.; C/DH Chris Giles, Jr.; OF Bobby Jones, Jr.; RHP Sean Schwender, Sr.; SS Pat Langridge, Sr.
Key newcomer - 1B/LHP JB Chausee, Fr.
Outlook - 1996 will be a building year for the young, talented Crusaders - but in recent years at Eastside Catholic that usually means playoff contention. Eastside lost nine seniors (six starters) to graduation. All-American Hecker (.550) was named to the All-Metro first team last year as a designated hitter. Teammates Craig, Giles and Jones return as 1995 All-Metro honorable mention.
Nathan Hale
1995 record - 2-11 (11th in Metro).
Coach - Tauno Latvala, fourth year.
Top returning players - OF/1B Pat Gonzales, Sr.; IF Cody Gilnick, Jr.; LHP/OF Ahuacan DeGruy, Sr.; IF Wayne Valrey, Sr.; C Morgan Bell, So.; IF/C Blake Pranser, So.
Key newcomers - RHP/IF Patrick Porosky, Sr.; OF Nathan Barton, Jr.
Outlook - Hale returns a lot of experience to their lineup, including All-Metro second team DH Gonzales (.412) and honorable mentions DeGruy and Gilnick. The Raiders lost three starters to graduation but added transfers Barton and Porosky. The team may be able to surprise if it jells.
Ingraham
1995 record - 9-4 (fifth in Metro), 12-8 overall.
Coach - Randy Jacob, first year.
Top returners - RHP Rich Clubine, Sr.; RHP/CF Zak Erickson, Jr.; RHP/OF Bill Schickling, Jr.; SS Chris Covington,Sr.
Key newcomer - 2B/SS Gerard Johnston, So.
Outlook - The Rams lost eight players, including their entire infield, to graduation and look to this season as a building year. Pitching will be a strength, anchored by All-Metro first team right-hander Clubine (7-1 last year) and All-Metro honorable mention right-hander Erickson. Johnston, a transfer from Louisiana, will fill the No. 2 spot in the batting order. Ingraham needs to stay healthy to be competitive.
Lakeside
1995 record - 6-7 (eighth in Metro).
Coach - Dana Papasedero, first year.
Top returners - CF Rod Huston, Sr.; SS Ryan Gould, Sr.; RHP Thane Garfield, Sr.; RHP Greg Allen, Sr.; 1B Kevin Fergusen, Jr., LHP Cole Parsons, Jr.; C Dan Morris, Jr.; LHP Casey Cowles, Jr.
Key newcomer - 3B Dale Sherrow, Fr.
Outlook - A new coach, two emerging players (OF Darin Beffa, Jr. and OF Jensen Mauseth, Jr.) and seven freshmen aka "The Magnificent Seven" adds to the returners to help the Lions' prospects. Co-captain Huston (.441) was All-Metro second team last year, while Parsons, co-captain Gould, Kevin Ferguson and Dan Morris were honorable mention. First-year coach Papasedero anticipates winning and success, something well within reach if Cowles continues to pitch as he did when he hurled a no-hitter Friday against Sammamish.
O'Dea
1995 record - 12-1 (Metro League Champion), 16-5 overall (eliminated by Sehome 4-3 in first round of state regionals).
Coach - Mark Zender, 10th year.
Top returning players - 2B Nate Hare, Sr.; RHP Matt Blair, Sr.; C Mark Green, Sr.; RHP Sean Harvey, Sr.; 3B Tim Moriarty, Sr.
Outlook - After graduating five of last year's starters, the Fighting Irish lack the depth enjoyed by the 1995 championship team. Still, five players return with All-Metro honors, the team's offensive MVP Hare (.548), Blair, Green, Harvey, Moriarty). Senior Jeff Kustok, second in the order, has a hot bat so far with a hit in every game. Look for O'Dea to be in the running again this year.
Rainier Beach
1995 record - 2-11 (12th in Metro).
Coach - Ira White, third year.
Top returners - SS/RHP Anthony Conley, Jr.; RHP Brian Stewart, Sr.; C Brandon Shihara, Jr.; Utility Tyrone Hardy, Jr.; utility Chris Frazier, Fr.
Outlook - The Vikings are young, but have six returning starters, including All-Metro second-team members Conley and Stewart.
Seattle Prep
1995 record - 10-3 (third in Metro), 20-6 overall (fourth in state tournament).
Coach - Ed Paulter, 13th year.
Top returning players - 1B Max Engel, Sr.; RHP/CF Tom Bligh, Sr.; LF Cam Smith, Sr.; RHP Joe Buck, Sr.; P/C Scott Tamfer, Sr.; SS Matt Blangiardi, Sr.; 3B Brandon Bede, Sr.; 2B Ryan Riley, Jr.
Outlook - Six Seattle Prep players from last season are playing college baseball. Only four starters return this season, but 10 seniors on the roster add leadership, cohesiveness and experience. The Panther will look to All-Metro second-team Engel at the plate, where he batted .477 with 36 RBI last season. Bligh, Buck and Smith return as All-Metro honorable-mention players.
West Seattle
1995 record - 1-12 (13th in Metro).
Coach - Velko Vitalich, 11th year.
Top returning players - P/SS Carl Schoessler, Jr.; RHP/OF David Reinsmith, Sr.; IF Ian Launceford, Sr.; 1B Todd Lucas, So.; C Jason Saisslin, Jr.; OF Romell Mitchell, Jr.
Key newcomers - P/OF Mark Denniston, So.; IF Nick Thorburn, So.; LHP Scott Olson, Fr.
Outlook - The Indians are a young team with only two seniors on the roster, and possibly none in the starting lineup. However, Vitalich feels this year's team is more athletic than last year's, and its two wins doubled last year's total.
Metro AAA League
Franklin
1995 record - 5-8 (10th in Metro).
Coach - Tim Moody, 3rd year.
Top returning players - 1B Bryan Lawrence, Sr.; CF/LHP Daniel Jahn, Jr.; C Charlie Robinson, Sr.
Key newcomers - Utility Erik Diers, Jr., 3B/RHP Peter Morris, So.
Outlook - Franklin's roster is dotted with only six upperclassmen following the graduation of seven seniors. The Quakers will look to All-Metro honorable mention player Lawrence to spark things. And with the three AAA schools forming a league of their own, anything is possible.
Garfield
1995 record - 6-7 (ninth in Metro).
Coach - Joe Slayton, first year.
Top returners - RHP/1B/OF Chris Spieth, Sr.; OF/C/1B Pat Riedell, Sr.; RHP Jarrod Wilson, Sr.; SS Jaron Gates, So.; 3B/RHP Matthew Talmadge, Jr.; RHP Adam Straatman, Sr.
Outlook - The Bulldogs graduated five starters and have 12 lettermen returning, including All-Metro second team Spieth, and honorable mentions Gates, Riedel and Wilson. First-year coach Slayton sees considerable potential. "It's up to them," Slayton said.
Roosevelt
1995 record - 8-5 (sixth in Metro), 11-7 overall.
Coach - John Mitchell, third year.
Top returning players - C Pat Kelly, Sr.; IF Spencer Treadwell, Sr.; CF Tyler Weigel, Sr.; RHP Matt Nelsen, Sr.; SS Ryan McGowen, Sr.; RF Alex Gordon, So.; RHP Darren Olsen, So.; 3B Kaley Hard, Jr.
Outlook - The Roughriders lost only two starters to graduation and possess one of the league's best catchers in Kelly. Kelly was named All-Metro first team and held opponents to 12 steal attempts last year. Treadwell, Weigel, and Nelson were All-Metro second team.