2020 Squalicum Baseball Preview

Coach: Kevin Fry (2nd Year with Squalicum, 6-14 record)

Home Field: Joe Martin Field

Last Season: 6-14 (4-9 Conference)

Key Losses: P/CF Mitchell Sage (.306 AVG, .433 OBP, 10 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 12 SB, 4 W, 41 IP, 32 K’s, 2.22 ERA), P/1B August Williams (.274 AVG, .357 OBP, 13 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 8 RBI, 10 SB, 35 IP, 41 K’s, 3.03 ERA), SS Josh Boysen (.333 AVG, .406 OBP, 9 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 10 SB), P Keenan Rice (28 IP, 17 K’s, 3.29 ERA), OF Tate Carlson (.355 OBP, 7 RBI, 6 SB), OF Spencer Lloyd (.379 OBP, 6 SB).

Top Returnees: C Trent Miller, SS Mason Binning, 3B/C Lukas Nickelson, OF Bryce Pennock, OF Billy Scammell, P Lucas Allen, P Brad Whitman.

Pitchers and Catchers: After graduating three top-end pitchers, the Storm will rely on a pair of pitchers that still bring a good amount of varsity experience. Senior Lucas Allen threw 16 innings, and struck out 11 last season. Similarly, junior Brad Whitman also threw 16 innings last season, and struck out 10, but he also saved two games out of the bullpen. If they throw strikes, and let the defense take care of things, Squalicum will be just fine. Senior Jacob Lann has pitched at the JV level, and is a very accurate pitcher and sophomore Joziah McCloud has turned heads at practice with his pitching abilities. Junior Trent Miller (.383 AVG, .532 OBP, 5 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI) is one of the best overall players in the league, and he will be behind the plate.

Infield: Junior Mason Binning (.255 AVG, .317 OBP, 8 R, 8 RBI) played at third base last season, but he will be moved back to his natural position of short stop this year. Junior Trey Andersen has tremendous footwork, and he’ll be back at second base. Senior Lukas Nickelson (.260 AVG, .362 OBP, 8 RBI) was a rock behind the plate in 2019, but with Miller returning back to the program, Nickelson could get a look at third base. Lann could also get some run at the hot corner. Junior Jacob Watt looks to have the inside track at first base, but he could get pushed by freshman Olin Johnson, who coach Fry calls, “A really intriguing player”. Allen and Whitman can also play first base.

Outfield: Junior Bryce Pennock (.341 OBP, 7 SB) has awesome speed, and played center field when Mitchell Sage pitched last season, and Pennock has locked down the spot this season. Junior Keenen Patterson (.250 OBP) also ended up starting last season, and will return to right field. Junior Billy Scammell (.313 AVG, .450 OBP) got a lot of playing time near the end of the season in 2019, and he will start in left field.

Final Analysis: Coach Fry is in a great situation where there is so many players returning, and they are really starting to buy in to the system. The big key will be if the picthers can throw strikes. There is great overall speed in the program, and scoring runs should become a strength.

Tyler’s Predicted Lineup