Coach: Cory White (26th Year with Lynden)
Home Field: Lynden High School
Last Season: 15-8 (10-3 Conference)
Key Losses: P/OF Trevin Hope (4-0, 0.88 ERA, 3 BB, 59 K’s, .375 AVG, .507 OBP, 13 RBI, 5 2B, 14 R) , CF Trevor Abitia (.316 AVG, .402 OBP, 29 RBI, 8 SB, 8 2B, 1 HR, 19 R), SS Marcos Vander Veen (.356 AVG, .489 OBP, 14 RBI, 7 2B, 4 SB, 20 R), 3B/P Jordan Holmstrom (.281 AVG, .446 OBP, 14 RBI, 5 SB, 16 R), 1B Dillon Geleynse (.271 OBP, 6 RBI, 6 R).
Top Returnees: P/OF James Marsh, OF Jack Doolittle, C Carter Parcher, 2B Ben Libolt, P/1B Preston King, P/OF Dylan Parcels, SS Brendan Kleindel, 3B Devin Holmstrom.
Pitchers and Catchers: Perhaps no team in Whatcom County has as much top-line talent on the mound, and Lynden also possibly possesses the most depth as well. Senior James Marsh (3-1, 1.54 ERA, 29 K’s) could be the most dominant player in the league, and he will be the ace of the Lions pitching staff. Senior Preston King (3-1, 0.51 ERA, 16 K’s) pitched extremely well down the stretch last season, and when senior lefty Dylan Parcels (3-1, 3.06 ERA, 42 K’s) got hot last season, he was extremely tough to hit off of. Seniors Carter Parcher (1-1, 5.03 ERA, 15 IP) and Devin Holmstrom can also bring it from the mound, as well as junior Bodie Human. Parcher (.385 OBP, 22 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI) is back at catcher, and he has an absolute cannon for an arm. He also was the only player last season to hit a pair of home runs. Parcher is being pushed by talented sophomore Carter Van Diest.
Infield: The Lions were very senior-heavy around the infield last season, and the only returning starter is senior second baseman Ben Libolt (.288 AVG, .448 OBP, 7 RBI, 15 R). He has second base locked down, and should be one of the best second basemen in the league. The left side of the infield will be filled by Brendan Kleindel (.313 OBP, 4 RBI, 7 R) at shortstop and Holmstrom at third. Both players are looking to have huge senior seasons. King will take over at first base. When he’s on the mound it is still unclear who might play first base, but you might see talented freshman Cade Slayton get some reps there. His bat has been impressive at practice, and Coach White might be forced to get him into the lineup.
Outfield: Senior Jack Doolittle (.275 AVG, .333 OBP, 15 RBI, 15 R, 4 SB) returns to the outfield, and he can really swing it from the left side of the plate. He will be joined in the outfield by Marsh (.291 AVG, .391 OBP, 14 RBI, 8 R), who could be one of the most powerful hitters in Whatcom County. Parcels will also play in the outfield when he’s not on the mound, and sophomore Connor White is a fantastic center fielder that will be hard to keep out of the lineup.
Final Analysis: Lynden should be one of the favored teams in the Northwest Conference. The top of the lineup is devastating, and the pitching should be able to carry them deep into May. The starters are already very talented, and there is a young crop of Lions that are eager to show what they can do. After playing for a state championship in football, and winning a state championship in basketball, can this group make it to the state championship as well?
Tyler’s Predicted Lineup:
- Ben Libolt
- Brendan Kleindel
- Jack Doolittle
- James Marsh
- Carter Parcher
- Cade Slayton
- Devin Holmstrom
- Preston King
- Connor White
