2020 Ferndale Baseball Preview

Coach: Donny Hennigs (8th Year with Ferndale, 92-65 record)

Home Field: Ferndale High School

Last Season: 11-10 (6-7 Conference)

Key Losses: SS Bryan Ebe (.328 AVG, .500 OBP, 16 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 13 RBI, 5 SB), 1B/P Geirean Hatchett (.246 AVG, .395 OBP, 9 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 3 W, 42 IP, 59 K’s, 2.65 ERA), 2B Ryan Whipkey (.286 AVG, .394 OBP, 14 R, 6 2B, 10 RBI, 6 SB), OF/P Brett Westford (.221 OBP, 8 R, 4 2B, 2 3B, 10 RBI, 2 W, 26 IP, 29 K’s, 3.23 ERA), P Grayson Thompson (.229 OBP, 5 R, 4 RBI, 3.04 ERA).

Top Returnees: 3B/C/P Kobe Sandstrom, IF/OF Carson Peters, CF Michael Bernard, C Greg Roberts, 1B/P Aidan Roddel, OF Colby Tegt, P Slater Whitaker.

Pitchers and Catchers: Due to the graduation of Brett Westford, along with the University of Washington football preparation by senior Geirean Hatchett, the Golden Eagles have 68 innings from last season that need to be replaced. Juniors Aidan Roddel (2.15 ERA, 15 K’s) and Slater Whitaker (15 IP, 9 K’s) will get the first chances to be those guys, and they both pitched quality innings last season. Sophomore Ryan Pelton could also get a lot of looks on the mound, and Ferndale also has a handful of talented freshmen that will give Coach Hennigs a deep staff. Senior Greg Roberts (.350 AVG, .458 OBP, 11 RBI) returns for his third year as the starting catcher, and is one of the best overall baseball players in Whatcom County. He struck out only three times last season in his 48 plate appearances.

Infield: There could be a lot of new faces around the infield in 2020, and one of them that might have found a permanent home at second base is junior Carson Peters. Last season, his bat was so hot (.439 AVG, .562 OBP, 20 R, 6 RBI, 8 SB) that Coach Hennigs had to keep him in the lineup, and Peters ended up playing seven different positions over the course of the year. Roddel (.362 OBP, 8 RBI) is another middle-of-the-lineup kind of player, and could see time all over the infield when he’s not pitching. Pelton (9 R) can also play short stop, and Whitaker can play first base. Jake Mason is an intriguing player (a 6-foot-1 205-pound freshman) who could see a lot of innings at third base.

Outfield: Michael Bernard (.296 AVG, .415 OBP, 13 R, 2 3B, 9 RBI, 7 SB) is back to track ’em down in center field, and it seems as though the speedy senior has been there forever. The other spots in the outfield will be up for grabs in the beginning of the season. Seniors Colby Tegt (.455 OBP), Cooper Taxdahl and Connor Lyddan will get the first opportunities, and they will be pushed by freshmen Dylan Strom and Andrew James.

Final Analysis: After finishing in the middle of the pack the last few years, this could be a season where Ferndale breaks out a little bit. A lot will be dependent on when junior Kobe Sandstrom will be available, as he will give a definite boost when he is able to return.

Tyler’s Predicted Lineup: