2020 Sehome Baseball Preview

Coach: Monte Walton (5th Year with Sehome, 64-35)

Home Field: Sehome High School

Last Season: 18-11 (10-3 Conference)

Key Losses: SS/P Trevor Seaholm (.348 AVG, .482 OBP, 23 R, 11 RBI, 19 SB, 6 saves, 10 IP, 18 K’s, 1.19 ERA), INF/P Makana Grondin (.354 AVG, .452 OBP, 24 R, 11 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 3 W, 26 IP, 19 K’s, 3.46 ERA), C Lukas DeLisle (.289 AVG, .410 OBP, 20 R, 6 2B, 16 RBI, 8 SB), RF Mel Ketteridge (.267 AVG, .427 OBP, 17 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, 11 RBI, 6 RBI), 3B/P Patrick Miksovsky (.269 OBP, 9 R, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 5 W, 53 IP, 39 K’s, 1.72 ERA), LF Michael McLin (.299 AVG, .405 OBP, 9 R, 8 RBI, 7 SB), OF Ethan Brown (.281 AVG, .339 OBP, 6 2B, 14 RBI), DH James Meader (.263 AVG, .333 OBP, 3 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI).

Top Returnees: P/1B Jacob Kaepernick, CF Tim Malo, SS Brooks Frere, C Graham Glendening.

Pitchers and Catchers: Returning junior left-hander Jacob Kaepernick is the ultimate luxury for the Mariners. He was named the Northwest Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2019, as he had a 9-3 record in 73 innings pitched. He also struck out 73 batters and wakled just 10 while posting an ERA of 0.67. He is the undoubted ace, but more arms will be needed throughout the season. Seniors Lane Middendorf and Sam Bunn, and hard-throwing junior Brooks Frere will each get their shot on the mound. Junior Graham Glendening has caught when needed on the varsity squad the last two seasons, and he is the main man behind the dish in 2020. Coach Walton is excited to see what he brings to the table this season.

Infield: Kaepernick (.297 AVG, .379 OBP, 16 R, 8 2B, 17 RBI) returns to play first base when he isn’t pitching, and Frere will move from second base to short stop. Both have explosive bats, and will be counted on in a big way offensively. Speaking of explosive bats, 6-foot-5 230-pound sophomore Gavin Ortega will step in at first base when Kaepernick is on the mound. Bunn is in the running to take over at second base, and freshman Carson Neff has all the tools to start immediately in the infield. He could get his chance at third base.

Outfield: Junior Tim Malo (.353 OBP, 18 R, 19 SB, 11 RBI) has started in center field since his freshman season, and he is poised to have a breakout season in 2020. If he gets on base, it’s almost guaranteed that he’ll at least get to third base before the inning is over, and he can cover as much ground as anyone in center field. Ortega could play some in right field when he’s not at first base and sophomore speedster Aiden Harwick-Koolen will see plenty of time in the outfield as well.

Final Analysis: It was a magical season for Coach Walton’s crew in 2019, but after graduating 11 seniors, the Mariners will look to a lot of new faces to fill the open spots this season. They will play fundamental baseball at its highest level, and should be near the top of the NWC once again.

Tyler’s Predicted Lineup: