2020 Mount Baker Baseball Preview

Coach: McHenry Pattison (1st Year with Mount Baker)

Home Field: Mount Baker High School

Last Season: 9-13 (6-7 Conference)

Key Losses: 2B/P Kaleb Bass (.483 AVG, .577 OBP, 22 R, 6 2B, 1 3B, 20 RBI, 8 SB, 17 IP, 23 K’s, 3.71 ERA), CF/P Carter Backstrom (.360 AVG, .475 OBP, 20 R, 6 RBI, 7 SB), RF/P Michael Kentner (.289 AVG, .385 OBP, 9 R, 14 RBI, 4 W, 37 IP, 28 K’s, 2.82 ERA), SS/P Isaac Gomes (.343 OBP, 11 R, 14 RBI, 6 SB, 31 IP, 26 K’s, 4.47 ERA), IF Leif Blow (.309 OBP, 12 R, 5 RBI), 1B/OF Ty Rosenburg (.367 AVG, .457 OBP, 7 R, 3 2B).

Top Returnees: OF Toby Jefferson, C Davin Beason, OF/P Andrew Stalnaker, INF Tyler Kentner, 1B/P Marques Brown.

Pitchers and Catchers: Juniors Marques Brown and Andrew Stalnaker are both big, strong right handers that got great varsity experience last season. Brown got a pair of victories last season, including a gutsy performance at Blaine. He also struck out 17 batters in just 18 innings pitched. Stalnaker is a strike-throwing machine (18 strike outs, and gave up just eight base hits), and even has a knuckle ball in his repertoire. Junior Toby Jefferson has a big arm, and could help in relief, and sophomore Nooksack Valley transfer Collin Averill led the Pioneers in wins last season. Sophomore Davin Beason returns at catcher, and has one of the best arms in Whatcom County. He also batted .246 with 12 RBI’s and he should be the most feared hitter in the Baker lineup. Jefferson can also catch if needed.

Infield: After ending last season as the starting second baseman, sophomore Tyler Kentner looks to take over at short stop this season. He batted .194 last season, and scored nine runs. Brown also returns at first base after locking down the position most of last year. Big junior Aiden Corning (6’5″ 275) can play both corner infield positions, and will likely play first when Brown is pitching. Quick-handed sophomore Caleb Horsmon should crack the starting lineup at second base, and senior Connor Sophusson can also play all over the infield.

Outfield: Jefferson can truly play at any position, but he will mostly be in the outfield, much like last season. In 2019 he was the igniter for the Mountie lineup batting leadoff, scoring 16 runs, knocking in 11 runs and stealing 11 bases. Stalnaker ended the season as the cleanup hitter for Mount Baker, and should return to the outfield. Junior Mason Jacoby is putting away his javelin this spring, and is putting on a baseball glove for the first time since he was in fifth grade. His athleticism will get him onto the field sooner rather than later. Averill can also play all over the diamond, and Coach Pattison will want to get his bat in the lineup.

Final Analysis: After reaching the post season in 2019, the youthful Mountaineers jump into the 2020 season as a team that will be forced to grow up quickly. Brown and Stalnaker will be the biggest keys to this team’s success while on the mound..

Tyler’s Predicted Lineup: