Coach: Donny Hennigs (7th Year with Ferndale, 81-55 record)
Home Field: Ferndale High School
Last Season: 9-11 (7-6 Conference)
Key Losses: P/CF James Hinson (.333 AVG, 14 RBI, 11 R, 1 HR, 4-2 record 3.13 ERA, 41 K’s), P Ethan Strom (3-2, 2.53 ERA), 3B Reid Benson (.262 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBI), 1B/DH Darius Walker (.395 AVG, 5 2B, 9 RBI, .500 OBP).
Top Returnees: SS Bryan Ebe, OF Brett Westford , 1B/P Geirean Hatchett, CF Michael Bernard, C Greg Roberts, IF Ryan Whipkey, IF Kobe Sandstrom, P/IF Aidan Roddel.
Pitchers and Catchers: An injury cut the season short for Geirean Hatchett last season, but the 6-foot-5 junior lefty is back, and should get the first call in the mound. He struck out his share of batters last season (30 K’s in 26 innings), but he’ll need to gain more control (36 walks) for the Golden Eagles to be successful. Sophomore Aidan Roddel has a few varsity innings under his belt, and should step in as the number two starter. Senior Grayson Thompson pitched well on the junior varsity level, and he should get the first crack as the third starter. Junior Greg Roberts is one of the better defensive catchers around after starting the whole season last year. He makes good contact (11 hits and 5 RBI’s), rarely swings and misses (8 strikeouts in 61 plate appearances) and he should be one of the main contributors offensively.
Infield: This should be a strength for the Golden Eagles. Bryan Ebe returns as the starting shortstop, and brings a great level of senior leadership. He also has a knack for getting on base, combining 13 hits with 16 walks, and he was also hit by a pitch four times which culminated in a .465 on-base percentage. He also showed some gap power and speed with three doubles and a triple. Hatchett will play first base, and there have been a few players that might move around the infield. Sophomore Kobe Sandstrom got valuable playing time last season, and his a baseball junkie. He impressively batted .300 in his freshman campaign, and only struck out twice in 49 plate appearances. Senior Ryan Whipkey is a wizard in the field with his glove work, and could have second base locked up. Sophomores Carson Peters and Roddel should both figure into the mix as well.
Outfield: Senior Brett Westford returns to right field with a .346 on-base percentage, along with eight runs scored. Fleet-footed junior Michael Bernard is back in center field, and he’s the catalyst for the lineup. He got on base 41% of the time in 2018, and he scored 11 runs while stealing nine bases. Left field could be filled by whichever player is hitting well, which gives great opportunities to players that deserve a crack in the starting lineup.
Final Analysis: It’s another well-rounded group for Coach Hennigs, with good veteran leadership along with some young talent. I believe that scoring runs shouldn’t be a huge problem for Ferndale, but the pitching staff will need to perform at a high level to get to the post season.
Tyler’s Predicted Lineup:
- Michael Bernard
- Bryan Ebe
- Kobe Sandstrom
- Geirean Hatchett
- Aidan Roddel
- Brett Westford
- Greg Roberts
- Ryan Whipkey
- Colby Tegt
