Team Capsules

Metro League baseball forecast

FAVORITES

Eastside Catholic

Seattle Prep

Ballard

West Seattle

Contenders

Blanchet

Lakeside

O'Dea

Might surprise

Nathan Hale

Longshots

Rainier Beach

Chief Sealth

Ingraham

Cleveland (2A)

(Cleveland plays Metro League schedule but is Class 2A and games don't count in Metro standings)

Sound Division

Ballard

Coach: Eric Chartrand, 3rd year.

Last season's record: 11-5 league, 16-7 overall (made state round-of-16 playoffs for second straight year but lost in first round to Kennedy, which finished second in state).

Returning starters: Mike Turinski, Sr., P (7-3, 2nd team All-Metro); Dan Cuenca, Sr., C (.380 BA, 2nd team All-Metro); Adam Seumae, Sr., 1B (.420 BA, 2nd team All-Metro); Nick Erdahl, Jr., 2B (.450 BA, All-Metro); Colin Elliott, Sr., SS (.320 BA); Jake Martens, Sr., RF (.360 BA); Robert Enge, Sr., P.

Returning subs: Anders Hammersborg, Sr., OF; Chris Copacino, Sr., OF.

Impact newcomers: Steven Klick, F, P-3B; Jeremy Thorton, Jr., CF.

Strengths and concerns: Good power in middle of lineup, solid pitching. Concern is plague of injuries afflicting team. Also, this isn't a speedy bunch.

Outlook: Despite 1-2 start in nonleage play, this could be the Beavers' year.

Blanchet

Coach: George Monica, 20th year.

Last season's record: 12-2 league, 18-5 overall (Metro champions, eliminated in first round of state playoffs by Lynden).

Returning starters: Blake Fisher, Sr., 2B (.371 BA, All-Metro); Matt Miller, Jr., 3B (.280 BA); Billy Condon, Sr., SS (.310 BA, 2nd team All-Metro); Pat McNaghten, Soph., C, (.328 BA).

Returning subs: Jon Brown, Jr., OF; Tom Walton, Jr., P.

Impact newcomers: Cameron Headley, 1B; Warren Witsoe, OF; Matt Christensen, OF; Renaldo Diederichs, OF; John Budge, P.

Strengths and concerns: Condon and Fisher give Braves mid-infield defense. Big concern is inexperienced mound staff. Blanchet teams know how to win: Braves have won past two league titles and were state champions in 1996.

Outlook: Not a favorite this year, but never count the Braves out.

Nathan Hale

Coach: Tauno Latvaia, 7th year.

Last season's record: 8-7 league, 9-8 overall.

Returning starters: Josh Lurie, Sr., C-INF (.521 BA, 3 HR, 19 RBI, All-Metro); Aaron Nudelman, Sr., SS (.417 BA); Nick Burt, Sr., 1B-P; Thomas White, Sr., P-OF (2-0, 1.75 ERA); Matt Sotebeer, Jr., P-INF (1.93 ERA, 40 K's, All-Metro); Kevin Lantry, Soph., P-OF; Jordan Van Horn, Jr., IF.

Returning subs: Yosuke Iwai, Jr., OF; Todd Albright, Jr., IF-OF-P; George Ferrer, Jr., P-IF-OF; Peter Wade, Jr., IF-OF.

Impact newcomers: Sean Adkins, Soph., C; Justin Mumm, Soph., C-INF; Taylor Gallagher, Jr., P-OF.

Strengths and concerns: Pitching and defense are strengths. More players need to develop as hitting threats.

Outlook: Could pull some upsets.

Lakeside

Coach: Dana Papasedero, 5th year.

Last year's record: 8-12 overall.

Returning starters: David Smart, Soph., P-1B: Steve Johnson, Soph., 2b; Andrew Omori, Soph (transfer from Hawaii), SS; Dale Sherrow, Sr., 3B; David Mandley, Sr., C; Blake Garfield, Sr., P; Tom Wilson, Soph., LF; Bryan Hale, Jr., CF; Jeff Fallat, Jr. RF; Utility, Lucas Roth, Soph.

Strengths and concerns: Everyone back from last year. . . . Three standouts in Sherrow, Hale and young lefty Smart. . . . Papasedero has 35 boys out for the sport and Lions have a jayvee team for first time in years.

Outlook: Never considered a baseball school, Lakeside may be ready to make a move.

O'Dea

Coach: Bob Blair, 2nd year.

Last season's record: 12-11 overall.

Returning starters: Nick Solaro, Sr., 3B-P (.375 BA, 28 RBI, 2nd team All-Metro); Mike Takayoshi, Sr., 1B (.330 BA, 18 RBI); Anthony Slagle, Sr., 2B (.325 BA, 14 SB, .625 OB%); Brendan Fenton, Sr., SS (.315 BA, 12 SB, .580 OB%); Paul Knight, Sr., C (.310 BA, 24 RBI).

Returning subs: Aaron Kuntz, P; Thomas Roundtree, OF; Jack Thompson, OF; Ryan Tarabochia, OF.

Impact newcomers: Dominick Macri, Jr., P; Chris Savio, Jr., P.

Strengths and concerns: Offensive potential will have to blossom because pitching staff is young.

Outlook: Not considered a powerhouse this year, but could be a spoiler.

Chief Sealth

Coach: Gary Thomsen, 3rd year.

Last season's record: 1-17 overall.

Returning starters: Ryan Elliott, Jr., OF; Ryan Davis, Jr., P; Ryan Feagan, Soph., OF; Will Newlove, Jr., 1B; Gary McKay, Soph., C; Macey Bigelow, P; ; Bill Ingle, Soph., INF; Joe Woodbury, INF. .

Impact newcomers: O. Leighton, INF: John Meyers, C-OF; Cory Wallace, OF: Matt Elliott, SS.

Strengths and concerns: Improving team with good nucleus but still young with only one senior. Not ranked near top in any aspect of the game: hitting, pitching or defense.

Outlook: Should win some games. Mountain Division

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Cleveland

Coach: Moses Tovar, 3rd year.

Last season's record: 7-9 overall.

Returning starters: Pat Kelly, Sr., P-3B; Andy Chow, Sr., P-INF; Carlos Garcia, Jr., P-OF; Corey Twombly, Sr., C-OF; Sam Chan, Jr., OF-1B; Jerry Kha, Jr., C-OF-DH; Brent Thomas, Soph., OF.

Returning subs: Renny Sotero, Sr., OF; Edward Brooks, Sr., OF; Joseph Davison, Jr., OF.

Impact newcomer: Sam Henderson, So., P-1B.

Strengths and concerns: Good speed and starting pitching. Eagles are 2A in a 3A league and games don't count in standings. Team is guaranteed a berth in Nisqually League playoffs. Outlook: After tough Metro schedule, could do damage in 2A playoffs.

Eastside Catholic

Coach: Gary Seefried, 5th year.

Last season's record: 18-3 overall.

Returning starters: Deryck Christiansen, Sr., P-OF (All-Metro); Tyler McLean, Sr., OF, (All-Metro); Sean Ingalls, Sr., 3B-P; Ryan Thompson, Sr., C; Adam Taylor, Jr., SS; Ryan Griffith, Sr., 2B.

Returning subs: Augstin Harvie, Soph., OF-P; Zak Powell, Soph., OF-P; Dom Apadoca, Soph., 3B-P.

Impact newcomers: Nick Hundley, C, Fr.

Strengths and concerns: Good pitching, experienced team (seven seniors) good enough to win Metro. Concern is faltering in big games such as six errors in 11-10 loss to Ballard last year that ended season.

Outlook: Good team that could duplicate accomplishments of 1996 and 1997 teams and wind up in state quarterfinals.

Ingraham

Coach: Rodney Walker, 1st year.

Last season's record: Didn't win a game.

Returning starters: Shawn Gidley, Jr., SS; Seb Wilson, Jr., 3B; Jeremy Robinson, Sr., CF; Jeff Westling, Jr., C; Scott Hamister, Sr., 1B; Jonathan Wicks, Sr., RF.

Returning subs: Darnell Strong, Soph.; James Wilson, Jr., 3B; Brian Stephens, So., OF.

Impact newcomers: Dan Zack-Elnig, Soph., 2B-P; Paul Folk, Sr., OF-P; Steve Pomeroy, Sr., 1B.

Strengths and concerns: Defense and speed are strengths. Big questions are hitting and pitching.

Outlook: Should win some games.

Rainier Beach

Coach: Robert Smith, 2nd year.

Last season's record: 5-11 overall.

Returning starters: Chris Frazier, Sr., OF-IF-P (.520 BA, All-Metro); Skylar King, Sr., P-OF (.290 BA); Donnell Joyner, Jr., P-C (.285 BA); Lamar Conley, Jr., 2B (.280 BA); Robert Summerise, Jr., 3B; Noble Johnson, So., 1B-OF.

Returning subs: D.J. Perkins, Sr., SS; David Danner, Jr., OF; Dillon Daniels, Jr., OF.

Impact newcomers: Mareese Brown-Wolf, Sr., OF-IF; Tramine Hilliard, So., C-IF.

Strengths and concerns: Hitting considered a strength and Frazier is among best players in league. Pitching and defense must prove themselves.

Outlook: Some good athletes in this bunch, but this is tough division in which to move up rapidly.

Seattle Prep

Coach: Ed Paulter, 14th season.

Last year's record: 9-5 league, 12-8 overall.

Returning starters: Brian Gattis, Sr., P-1B (second team All-Metro); Charlie Meyer, Sr., P-OF (second team All-Metro); Mike Pontius, Sr., C; Andy Lincicome, Sr., OF; Nick Woodward, Jr., INF; Bryson Bede, Sr., INF; Brian Bligh, Sr., 2B; Harpur Davidson, Sr., 1B.

Returning subs: Garrett Fliflet, Sr., P; Justin Hendrix, Sr., P; Jon Kriewall, Sr., P; Owen Strecker, Sr., 1B-P.

Impact newcomer: Nate Williams, So., P-INF.

Strengths and concerns: Solid hitting and fine pitching. Defense is a concern but it's above average.

Outlook: As usual, ready to contend for title.

West Seattle

Coach: Velko Vitalich, 13th year.

Last season's record: 8-6 league, 11-10 overall.

Returning starters: Jake Tomaselli, Sr., OF (.379 BA, 4 HR, 21 RBI, All-Metro); Tim Preston, Jr., OF (.367 BA, 5 HR, 15 RBI); Corey Caple, Sr., 2B-P (.347 BA, 4.69 ERA, 3-2); Ryan Caple, Sr., P-1B (.200 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI); Blake Webb, Sr., C-P; Adam Stalker, Sr., P (4.67 ERA, 2-2).

Returning subs: Eli Armitstead, Sr., 3B (.210 BA); Scott Olsen, Sr., OF-P (.263 BA); Michael Mallett, Sr., OF (.250 BA); Tyler Brown, Jr., INF.

Impact newcomers: Bobby Maus, Jr., SS; B.J. Frost, Jr., 1B-P.

Strengths and concerns: Good team that should contend. Tomaselli is among league's best. Infield defense a concern.

Outlook: Baseball is what West Seattle does best as a school and this team shouldn't disappoint.