Kingco Baseball Capsules

KingCo 4A

Bothell Cougars

Coach - Tom Robinson, second year.

1997 results - 5-11 league, 6-13 overall, seventh in KingCo's Crown Division.

Returning starters - RHP Josh Karp, sr.; LF Cory Eagon, sr.; CF Craig Bruce, sr.; C James Hummel, sr.; 3B Josh Arsenault, jr.; RHP Jon Bubnis, sr.; RHP Andrew Bumell, sr.

Impact newcomers - 2B Eric Eagon, so.; SS Jason Davis, sr.

Outlook - The Cougars were picked sixth in preseason poll, but there is reason to believe they'll finish higher. Lost just three everyday starters from last season and have nine seniors on roster. Pitcher Josh Karp might be the first pick in June's major-league draft. With him on the mound, Bothell can beat anybody.

Eastlake Wolves

Coach - J.T. D'Amico, first year.

1997 results - 11-7 league, 14-8 overall; tied for third in Crown Division, eliminated in Sea-King district.

Returning starters - LHP-1B Eric Focht, sr.; RHP-IF Matt Brewer, sr.; SS Chad Oevella, jr.; 3B Seth Haye, sr.

Impact newcomers - CF Chad Coder, jr.; 2B Matt Sorenson, jr.; RHP Bert Vigeland, so.; C Michael Halverson, jr.; RHP Karl Lehrmann, jr.; OF T. Montgomery, so.; OF Matt Berry, jr.; RHP-OF Jason Blyth, sr.

Outlook - Two strong pitchers - Focht and Brewer - return, and sophomore Vigeland has excellent potential, giving Wolves perhaps league's best pitching depth. Should be solid up the middle defensively. Brewer was first-team all-league last season. If Wolves hit, they could challenge for regional berth.

Franklin Earthquake

Coach - Tim Moody, fifth year.

1997 results - 3-1 league, 12-9 overall; Metro AAA co-champs, eliminated in Sea-King district tournament.

Returning starters - RHP-1B Peter Morris, sr.; RHP-C Chad Yarbrough, jr.; 3B Benito Ybarra, sr.; OF-LHP Tyler Brownfield, sr.; OF-RHP Jonah Knutson, sr.

Impact newcomers - 2B Matt Chernicoff, jr.; OF Kevin Lew-Hailer, sr.; RHP-1B Joel Zimmerman, sr.

Outlook - Morris and Yarbrough both were first-team all-Metro players last season and should be among KingCo's best players. Three other starters return from a district-tournament team. With its pitching and defense, Quake can beat anybody. Consistency will be critical.

Garfield Bulldogs

Coach - Joe Staton, third year.

1997 results - 0-4 league, 10-8 overall; third in Metro AAA League.

Returning starters - SS Jeron Gates, sr.; 2B Will Hanley, sr.; 3B Robin Twelker, jr.; CF Nick Cross, jr.; LF Byron Ong, sr.

Impact newcomers - 1B Nathan Bourgford-Parnell, sr.; RF Hashim Mehter, sr.; C Casey Thoreen, sr.; P David Yaffee, so.; P Christopher Young, jr.; P Jesse Saunders, fr.; P Kurt Hynes, jr.

Outlook - This young team is hurting. Hynes broke his right foot and will be out until April. Yaffee will have eye surgery during spring break, and will miss time after that. Ong struggling to recover from broken back. Gates and Twelker are excellent players, and Bulldogs are fast. But pitching depth is poor.

Inglemoor Vikings

Coach - Paul Mullen, 15th year.

1997 results - 13-5 league, 17-7 overall; KingCo champions, eliminated in Sea-King district tournament.

Returning starters - SS Brett Elness, sr.; P Wes Engelbach, sr.; OF Justin Magruder, sr.; P-OF Tyson Thompson, sr.

Impact newcomers - 2B Jeremy Skogsbergh, sr.; OF Justin Sotelo, sr.; Of Myles Taylor, sr.; OF-P Ryan Toivola, sr.; P Beau Watson, sr.; 3B Pete White, sr.; C Adam Zaitz, sr.

Outlook - Vikings return two of league's premier players in Magruder and Thompson, but defending league champs must replace their entire infield. Pitching should be solid. Staff is among the league's deepest and could carry Vikings back to top of league. Development of new players is critical.

Juanita Rebels

Coach - Gary Groenen, 26th year.

1997 results - 11-7 league, 16-9 overall; tied for third in Crown Division, third at district, lost to Hudson's Bay at regionals.

Returning starters - P Ryan Koenig, sr.; P-OF Eric Lyon, sr.; SS Mike McKay, sr.; C Jefferson Thiel, jr.; P Joe Vandemark, sr.; P David Waack, sr.

Impact newcomers - 1B Trevor Everitt, sr.; OF-P Ryan Nelson, jr.; 2B Robert Headlee, sr.; 3B David Beach, sr.; 2B-SS Matt Hooper, sr.; OF Ryan Overland, sr.; OF Keegan Tachell, jr.

Outlook - Rebels generally considered league favorites and hope to return to regionals. Entire pitching staff returns and is backed by an excellent defense, which should keep Rebels in most games. Thiel should be one of the league's best hitters. If they hit, Rebels will win.

Lake Washington Kangaroos

Coach - Dave Chambers, 16th year.

1997 results - 12-6 league, 15-9 overall; second in Crown Division, district runners-up, lost to Port Angeles at regionals.

Returning starters - CF Pete Bishop, sr.; IF Jason McCracken, sr.; P Kyle Corra, jr.; C Nick West, sr.

Impact newcomers - P Mark McFadyen, jr.; OF Nick Sciola, sr.; 1B Adam Herman, sr.; OF Brian Harvey, sr.

Outlook - Kangaroos a perennial contender for league title. This year should be no different, despite the loss of three first-team all-KingCo players. Cora leads another deep pitching staff and the Kangs have enough speed and power to generate runs. Success of inexperienced infield will be critical.

Redmond Mustangs

Coach - Ray Cassidy, seventh year.

1997 results - 10-8 league, 12-11 overall; fifth in Crown Division, eliminated in Sea-King district.

Returning starters - IF Kevin Harasimowicz, sr.; OF Tom Larson, sr.; OF Will Cheney, sr.; IF Hans von der Hoffen, sr.; P Sean Donlin, sr.; P Matt Tobey, sr.; C Wes Falkenborg, sr.; OF Aaron Breenlee, sr.; P Stephen Simpson, jr.; IF Brad Ditter, jr.

Impact newcomers - IF Grant Zorwelg, jr.; C Stephen Moore, sr.; Mike Hass, so.

Outlook - Return of seven position players makes Mustangs the coaches' choice for second place. Harasimowicz and Larson both were first-team all-league picks last season, and there is plenty of talent surrounding them. Should hit and run well. Pitchers have to reduce the 100-plus walks they yielded last season.

Roosevelt Roughriders

Coach - John Mitchell, fifth year.

1997 results - 3-1 league, 17-7 overall; Metro AAA co-champions, eliminated at district.

Returning starters - P-OF Darin Olsen, sr.; P-OF Ross McMeekin, sr.; C Morgan Bell, sr.; P-OF Alex Gooch, sr.; Mike Silva, jr.

Impact newcomers - IF Tiernan Gillan, sr.; IF Zack Zimmerman, so.

Outlook - Teds appear to be the best of the three Seattle schools. Five starters return, but loss of Alex Gordon to offseason arm surgery will hurt. Hitting and scoring runs shouldn't be a problem. Play of inexperienced middle infield is key.

Woodinville Falcons

Coach - Terry Agnew, eighth year.

1997 results - 8-10 league, 9-11 overall; sixth in Crown Division.

Returning starters - SS Kris Billmaier, jr.; P Shaun Kohn, sr.; OF Jon Yasuda, jr.

Impact newcomers - IF Justin Hart; P Joe Bauer; P Jason Snyder.

Outlook - Falcons picked seventh in preseason because of their youth. Only three starters return and they lost four first-team all-KingCo players. Billmaier is an excellent shortstop, and Kohn was an honorable mention all-league choice. Defense should determine success.

KingCo 3A

Bellevue Wolverines

Coach - Ryan Fujiwara, second year.

1997 results - 9-8 league, 11-8 overall, third in KingCo's Crest Division.

Returning starters - OF-P Chris Fabregas, sr.; OF Owen Biddle, jr.; IF-OF Kevin Barrow, jr.; IF Tyler Kiser, jr.; P David Armstrong, jr.

Impact newcomers - P Evan Buehrer, sr.; P Matt McCarty, sr.; 1B Jacob Miller, sr.; OF Brandon Harrington, jr.; IF-OF Ben Johnson, so.; P John Matson, so.

Outlook - Wolverines nearly advanced to district last season, losing to Issaquah on the final day of the regular season. This year's team isn't expected to fare quite as well. Fabregas was second-team all-league, but only three other starters return. Inexperienced pitching, defense must step up.

Cedarcrest Red Wolves

Coach - Doug Hall, 16th year.

1997 results - 9-7 league, 10-8 overall; fourth in WesCo AA.

Returning starters - C Mike McDonald, jr.; P-SS Brent Robertson, sr.; P Larry Burns, jr.

Impact newcomers - 2B Trevor Scheuer, sr.; OF Eric Branthwaite, jr.

Outlook - Seven starters graduated from last year's team, and only Robertson returns in the same position, which means development of young players is critical. Burns heads inexperienced staff that must perform for Red Wolves to be successful.

Interlake Saints

Coach - Bob Haynes, 10th year.

1997 results - 5-12 league, 7-13 overall; fifth in Crest Division.

Returning starters - SS Arik Vanzandt, sr.; C-1B Matt Vanduzor, sr.; C Mike Richardson, sr.; P-OF Eric Engberg, sr.; OF Clint Bingham, sr.; OF Jake Bronde, jr.; P-3B Greg Fulmer, jr.

Impact newcomers - 2B Kevin Screiner, jr.; P-OF Willie Biggs, sr.; P Kevin Saurer, sr.; 3B Tommy Crane, jr.; P-1B Jared Brigham, so.

Outlook - Saints picked sixth, but they're optimistic they will finish higher. Six starters return, led by all-KingCo player Vanzandt, and defense is expected to be solid. Fulmer and Engberg return as pitchers. If Saints hit well, they could challenge league's elite.

Issaquah Indians

Coach - Rob Reese, fifth year.

1997 results - 10-7 league, 12-9 overall; second in Crest Division, lost to Roosevelt in district qualifier.

Returning starters - P-SS Danny Fisher, sr.; 3B-P Grant Bennett, sr.; CF Brandon Jacobson, jr.

Impact newcomers - C Ryan Kemp, jr.; C Brock O'Connor, jr.; 1B-P George Fletcher, so.; 1B-P Zach Spencer, sr.; 2B Justin Wheat, sr.; SS Matt Payne, so.; 3B-P Jake Frieberg, jr.; P Ken Estevez, jr.; P Ryan Tercero, sr.; OF Matt Thompson, so.; OF Brian Coughlin, sr.; OF Lance Rasband, sr.

Outlook - Expect Indians to return to excellent form this season. Pitching staff, led by Fisher and Bennett, is as deep as any in league, and team speed should help defense make plays. Young players are talented. If they adjust to varsity pitching, expect Indians to contend.

Liberty Patriots

Coach - Glenn Walker, first year.

1997 results - 23-2 overall; Seamount League champions, lost to Lake Stevens in AA regional final.

Returning starters - SS Tila Reynolds, jr.; 3B Sean Lincecum, sr.; P-OF Mike O'Leary, sr.; P-IF Andy Jarvis, jr.; IF Scott Clementz, jr.

Impact newcomers - OF-P Evan Bishop, so.; OF-P Troy Martin, so.; C Justin Conlen, sr.; OF Casey Ferguson, jr.; OF Nick Southards, jr.; IF-P Steffan Brown, sr.; IF Kerisi Reynolds, so.; IF Peter Zibelli, sr.; OF Chris Moeller, jr.; OF-C Jeff Gustafson, jr.; IF Chris Ebbert, sr.

Outlook - Perennial Seamount League power should make big splash in first year in KingCo. Infield is excellent, and Jarvis, Reynolds and O'Leary are among the league's best players. Patriots were one game from state's final four last season. They're capable of getting back there if pitching, defense perform.

Mercer Island Islanders

Coach - Jeremy Briggs, first year.

1997 results - 7-10 league, 7-11 overall; fourth in Crest Division.

Returning starters - P-3B Scott Robertson, jr.; OF Scott DiJulio, jr.; SS Ian McElreath, sr.

Impact newcomers - OF Brandon Knox, jr.; 1B Brad Stewart, jr.; C Nick Gill, sr.; 2B Gustavo Perez, sr.

Outlook - Islanders have good team speed, but are very inexperienced. Only one pitcher - Robertson - and two other defensive regulars return from last year's team. Young pitchers must develop fast if Islanders are going to challenge.

Mount Si Wildcats

Coach - Kurt Wagner, fifth year.

1997 results - 17-7 overall; second in Seamount League, second in Seamount tournament, lost to Capital in AA regional.

Returning starters - P-3B Brett Roberts, sr.; SS Chris Riley, jr.; 2B Dan Forsythe, jr.; 1B-P Brad Perdue, sr.; C Charlie Cabe, sr.; CF Martin Greenhaw, sr.; P Brian Escott, sr.; P Mike Poth, sr.

Impact newcomers - OF Joe Mills, sr.; IF Aaron Gay, jr.; OF Brian Greenhaw, jr.; IF Eric Johnson, jr.; IF Thatcher Flynn, so.; OF Mike Sterkel, jr.

Outlook - Wildcats return six position players from last year's team that advanced to regional, so optimism is high they can contend for KingCo title. Entire infield returns, as do four senior pitchers. If they avoid injuries, Wildcats could challenge Newport, Issaquah and Liberty.

Newport Knights

Coach - Brian Fischer, second year.

1997 results - 13-4 league, 22-5 overall; Crest Division champions, district runner-up, regional champion, Class AAA state champion.

Returning starters - P Taylor Grant, sr.; OF Mike Cooney, sr.; P Gio Pupo, sr.; OF Will Kilmer, sr.; C Paul Snyder, sr.; P Todd Miller, sr.; P David Storlie, sr.

Impact newcomers - IF Sam Chamaty, sr.; IF Ryan Bagley, jr.; IF Ryan Kaya, sr.; C Karl Hessler, sr.; IF Mark Grayson, sr.; IF Mike Inouye, jr.; IF Tripper Johnson, so.; OF Mike Stewart, jr.; OF Jimmy Burke, sr.

Outlook - Knights lost to Kentridge on Saturday, but don't expect them to lose many more. Four starting pitchers return, highlighted by Grant and Pupo, and there are plenty of seniors to fill loss of several infield starters. Kilmer and Cooney are excellent outfielders for preseason favorites.

Sammamish Totems

Coach - Tom Milligan, second year.

1997 results - 0-17 league, 1-17 overall; sixth in Crest Division.

Returning starters - P-SS Brian Grimm, sr.; 1B Nick Salo, sr.

Impact newcomers - RF Traves Moore, jr.; 3B Joe Steblay, fr.

Outlook - Totems didn't win a game last season. They should be better this year, but don't expect a dramatic turnaround. Grimm and Salo are solid players, but they are the only returning starters. Grimm is the only pitcher with experience. Probably will battle Skyline to stay out of league cellar.

Skyline Spartans

Coach - Chris Thomas, first year.

1997 results - none (first-year school).

Returning starters - none.

Impact newcomers - OF John Wilson, fr.; SS-P Conor Curtis, fr.; C Ryan Dougherty, jr.; 2B-P Tom Pankiewicz, fr.; CF-P Chris Bach, so.; OF Josh Wells, jr.

Outlook - First-year Spartans will start four or five freshmen at times. Wilson should be an excellent leadoff hitter, but pitching is a big question. Lost 9-8 to Bainbridge in season opener. Thomas was the head coach at Sammamish last year. This year, he'll battle the Totems to stay out of league basement.