2019 Squalicum Baseball Preview

Coach: Kevin Fry (1st Year with Squalicum)

Home Field: Joe Martin Field

Last Season: 9-11 (7-6 Conference)

Key Losses: OF Justin Hulbert, IF Owen McCord, SS/CF Reid Mazzacano, C Trent Miller.

Top Returnees: P/1B August Williams, SS Josh Boysen, OF Jaymz Knowlton, P/OF Mitchell Sage, 2B Travis Krause, P/1B Keenan Rice, OF Spencer Lloyd, OF Tate Carlson, C Lucas Nickelson.

Pitchers and Catchers: No Whatcom County team returns more varsity experience on the mound than the Storm. Seniors Mitchell Sage, August Williams and Keenan Rice are all great pitchers, and will be relied upon heavily in 2019. Sage (3-3, 2.38 ERA, 26 K’s), Williams (2-5, 5.60 ERA, 25 K’s) and Rice (3-1, 3.91 ERA, 18 K’s) combined for 119 innings last season, and they will combine for on the best staffs around. Junior Lucas Nickelson will assume the catching duties, and he comes from a good baseball family.

Infield: Senior Josh Boysen (.288 AVG, .364 OBP, 11 RBI, 2 3B) was one of the top infielders in the league last season, and he will assume his role at shortstop as well as be a main catalyst in the Squalicum lineup. Williams (.351 AVG, .448 OBP, 5 2B, 10 RBI) could have a monster season offensively, and he and Rice will each play first base when the other is pitching. Senior Travis Krause (.242 AVG, .342 OBP, 7 RBI) played third base last season, and he will switch over to second base this season, which opens up a spot at third for sophomore Mason Binning, who looks to have a bright future ahead.

Outfield: Senior Jaymz Knowlton (.297 OBP, 9 SB, 1 HR, 10 R) might not be able to play all season due to an injury, which could really hurt the Storm both offensively and defensively. Squalicum still has great quality and speed in the outfield, with Sage (.262 OBP, 9 R, 7 RBI), Spencer Lloyd (.280 OBP, 4 R, 3 RBI) and Tate Carlson. All are seniors, can cover a lot of ground and should be a terror around the bases.

Final Analysis: First-year head coach Kevin Fry has a lot of tools to work with, and pitching will carry his team early in the season. If the hitting comes around like it should, the Storm could be looking at a post-season berth. Playing small-ball and putting pressure on the opposing defenses will be the key for Squalicum.

Tyler’s Predicted Lineup