Lynden (9-2) – Everything seems to be lining up for the Lions. Great pitching, solid defense and timely hitting. Senior pitcher Trevin Hope (3-0 0.36 ERA) is the premier ace in Whatcom County, and James Marsh (2-0 1.50) and Dylan Parcels (2-0 0.55) are top hurlers as well. Shortstop Marcos Vander Veen (.323 average) is a spark plug at the top of the order, and center fielder Trevor Abitia (17 RBI’s) is one of the County’s top hitters. Jordan Holmstrom (.310) also provides pop at the plate, and Carter Parcher has a strong arm behind the plate.
Meridian (6-2) – Coach Slesk has one heck of a team. The Trojans have only lost two games, and both were heart-breakers that went into extra innings. They are loaded with talent up the middle with Baker Otter catching, The Hickoks (Bryson and Dylan) in the middle of the infield and Simon Burkett in centerfield. Lefty Matt Belanger and Warren Utschinski, along with Burkett, are all above average pitchers. Also, they haven’t had a game with one of their best players, outfielder Lukas Hemenway, because of injury.
Sehome (7-5) – If I was pressed to give a “Coach of the Year” award at the halfway point, it would have to be Monte Walton. He just keeps finding a way to win. No team has had to deal with more injuries, yet they still find a way to come out on top more often than not. Third baseman Shane Jamison looks to be fully recovered, and should be a force in the middle of the lineup. Evan Kingma (1-1 2.51) can dominate on the mound, and freshman lefty Jacob Kaepernick (2-2 2.07) is drawing comparisons to Sehome legend David Lynch from the 80’s. The Mariners are also solid defensively with Josh Manson and Trevor Seaholm in the middle of the infield.
Lynden Christian (7-5) – The Lyncs have a strong nucleus with Ty Van Dyken (.406 average, 12 walks) and Payton Robertson (.385 and 12 RBI’s). Shane Whittern (.515 and 10 steals) has also become a force, and is a terror on the base paths, along with leadoff hitter Dylan Vander Yacht (12 steals). They also have a slew of arms that they can throw at you on the mound, but Robertson (3-3, 29 K’s) is the main guy.
Squalicum (6-5) – Perhaps the youngest team in the county, and they are currently on an upswing of wins. August Williams is a stud on the mound (20 K’s, 3.68), and he can really hit from the left side of the plate (.364). Jaymz Knowlton (3 extra base hits, 6 steals) has a great combination of speed and power, and sophomore Trent Miller (.345 and five doubles) has all the tools to be the League MVP at some point. Reid Mazzacano (.371 and three doubles) is steady at short stop, and a good leadoff hitter. He also could become one of the best closers in the league.
Ferndale (6-5) – James Hinson (.370 and 9 RBI’s) is one of the best overall athletes in the league, and he does everything well on the diamond. Darius Walker (8-for-17 and 4 doubles) is becoming one of the best hitters, and a youth movement is also happening with freshman Kobe Sandstrom and sophomores Michael Bernard and Geirean Hatchett. Hatchett (19 innings, 23 K’s) is one of the best power pitchers, when he has control of his pitches.
Nooksack Valley (6-4) – The Pioneers pass the eye test, and they have a lot of talent. I felt weird ranking them 7th on this list, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a post season run. Kyle Veldman (19 IP, 24 K’s), Evan Neitling (3-1 3.43) and Easton Zylstra (2-1 1.75) provide depth at the pitching position. Casey Bauman (.474), Austin O’Bryan (10 RBI’s) and Kirk Veldman (.348) can all slug the ball, and center fielder Koert Weidkamp (.435, 4 doubles, 1 HR) has become a terror at the plate as well.
Blaine (3-6) – I’m expecting a huge turnaround during the second half of the season for the Borderites. They got off to a slow start, but they have the players to change all that. Chase Abshere (1 strikeout in 24 at bats) is arguably the best overall player in the county, and Cruz Rodriguez (.412) is a stud at first base. Senior transfer Mikael Elliott (3.64 ERA) can go the distance on the mound, and Kai Nagle (.346 OBP) is one of the best hitting catchers in the area. Junior Colby Knutzen has now returned from injury and will give the Borderites a big boost.
Bellingham (1-9) – The Red Raiders have perhaps the best hitter in the league with junior second baseman Kyle Payne (.600 and 13 walks). Senior short stop Nick Knutson can swing it, too (.429). An early injury to pitcher Ethan Paxton hurt, but he’s back now and can only help the team. Senior Ethan Berschauer can eat up innings as well.
Mount Baker (2-6) – A pair of exciting wins early in the season gave the Mountaineers momentum early, but a losing streak followed. Unlike past years, Baker is making these games interesting, only losing by a few runs. Zandy Zender has been the go-to guy on the mound (1.59 ERA). Junior Isaac Gomes has led the Mounties at the plate (.313) along with Carter Backstrom (6 walks).
