Crest Division Preview

Eastlake Wolves
Head Coach: Skip Hulet (2nd year at Eastlake, 36-47 career record)
2009 Summary: 5-11 KingCo (5th in Crest), 9-11 overall
Returning starters: Alex Boyce (Sr. - OF), Matt Dusche (Sr. - OF), Quinn Hawksworth (Sr. - 3B), Kyle Henselman (Sr. - DH), Nick Hooper (Sr. - P), Kelby McCorkle (Sr. - OF), Andrew Mitchell (Sr. - 2B)
Other returners: Joseph Johnson III (Sr. - P/C), Sam Nasci (Sr. - 1B), Michael Parrott (Sr. - IF), Joe Shaffer (Sr. - P)
Top newcomers: Andrew Carey (Jr. - C/OF), Alex Dean (Jr. - P), Casey Fithian (Soph. - C), Connor Hanson (Jr. - SS), Ethan Potter (Jr. - P/OF), Andrew Stull (Soph. - P/3B)

Season outlook: The Wolves must pitch well and defend to win.


Garfield Bulldogs
Head Coach: Joe Lucia (3rd year)
2009 Summary: 3-13 KingCo (last in Crest), 4-16 overall
Returning starters: Jack Jajewski (Sr. - SS), Joseph Lucia (Sr. - C/2B/OF), Rubin Palmer (Jr. - OF), Peter Summerville (Sr. - C/1B/3B)
Other returners: Sean Foster (Sr. - P), Max Savery (Jr. - 3B), Kyle Snow (Sr. - P/OF), John Trupin (Soph. - P/1B), Ian Zapolski (Jr. - P/2B)
Top newcomers: Vince DaVille (Sr. - DH), Hank Droege (Soph. - P/IF), Hayes Gorecki (Fr. - P/IF/OF), Liam McFeely (Soph. - 2B), Frank Pavia (Sr. - P/3B)

Season outlook: The Bulldogs have more talent in 2010 than they've had in the past four years. That combined with a strong coaching staff and improved practice facilities has Garfield thinking playoffs.


Issaquah Eagles
Head Coach: Rob Reese(17th year, 281-117 career record)
2009 Summary: 8-8 KingCo (4th in Crest), 14-12 overall, T-5th in State
Returning starters: Marcus Gaan (Sr. - 3B), Grant Gellatly (Sr. - SS), Ethan Kalin (Soph. - P), Devin O'Donnell (Sr. - C), Mike Paulson (Sr. - 1B/P), Spencer Rogers (Sr. - OF/P), Gavin Schumaker (Jr. - 2B), Shane Yarnell (Sr. - P/1B)
Other returners: Pete Balzarini (Sr. - C/OF), Matt Houser (Sr. - P)
Top newcomers: Jake Bakamus (Soph. - OF), Kyle Bondo (Sr. - 2B/OF), Adam Dondoyano (Jr. - 2B), Hunter Healey (Sr. - OF), Blake Miller (Soph. - OF), Connor Petrie (Sr. - P), Tyler Propst (Sr. - P), Ben Rosellini (Jr. - OF), Connor Young (Sr. - OF/P)

Season outlook: Issaquah returns 5 pitchers, including all 3 starters from a State qualifier in 2009. Additionally, 6 of 8 position players return, along with senior Grant Gellatly, who returns after missing his entire junior year to injury. Good nucleus of returners, but will need to replace the offense provided by the 1, 2 and 4 hitters of last year's lineup, who were all lost to graduation.


Newport Knights
Head Coach: Hal DeBerry (1st year)
2009 Summary: 9-7 KingCo (third in Crest), 16-9 overall, KingCo runner-up, 4th place State finish
Returning starters: Daniel Altchech (Jr. - C), Nick Clifford (Jr. - 1B), Jared Fisher (Jr. - P/1B), Victor King (Sr. - OF), Billy Sahlinger (Soph. - 2B), Trace Tam Sing (Sr. - SS), Cole Wiper (Jr. - P/UTIL)
Other returners: Jeff Gonzales (Sr. - P), Erik Jensen (Jr. - P)
Top newcomers: Nate Anderson (Soph. - OF), Reid Dilley (Sr. - 3B), Joey Gale (Sr. - P), Kevin Martin (Jr. - OF), Dan Spray (Jr. - IF), Lee Stoops (Jr. - C)

Season outlook: The 2010 Knights return 10 letterman from their 4th place finish at State in '09. First year skipper Hal DeBerry takes over for Brian Fischer. The strength of the 2010 team will be the overall depth of the pitching staff. Jared Fisher, Cole Wiper, Jeff Gonzales and Erik Jensen all saw Varsity action last season. Newcomers Joey Gale and Billy Sahlinger round out the staff. Offensively, the team will be led by veterans Victor King and Washington State signee Trace Tam Sing. Defensively, Newport should be fairly solid up the middle, with returning starters Tam Sing and Sahlinger joined by catcher Daniel Altchech and new center fielder Nate Anderson.


Redmond Mustangs
Head Coach: Dan Pudwill (6th year, 85-31 career record)
2009 Summary: 14-2 KingCo (Crest division champs), 18-5 overall
Returning starters: Zach Abbruzza (Jr. - P/IF), Ryan Beliel (Sr. - P/C), Josh Bircher (Sr. - IF), Michael Conforto (Jr. - IF), Dylan Davis (Jr. - P/OF), Matthew Kimmel (Sr. - P/OF)
Other returners: Chad Hui-Peterson (Sr. - IF), Colin O'Brochta (Sr. - P/OF), T.J. Whidby (Jr. - P/IF)
Top newcomers: Peter Hendron (Soph. - P/OF)

Season outlook: Redmond returns nine players from last year's Crest division championship team, and will look to build on that success. The hope is the Mustangs can take the next step and find themselves fighting their way out of KingCo and into the 4A State tournament.


Skyline Spartans
Head Coach: Chris Tamminen (7th year)
2009 Summary: 11-5 KingCo (2nd in Crest)
Returning starters: Sean Penberthy (Sr. - OF)
Top newcomers: Dave Brown (Jr. - C), Aaron Caditz (Sr. - IF), Jim Carnes (Sr. - P), Connor Gilchrist (Soph. - OF), Connor Lawhead (Sr. - P), Nate Litka (Jr. - IF), Tyler Neudoefer (Jr. - IF), Jayce Nelson (Sr. - P), Jim Sanatro (Soph. - IF), Mike Smith (Sr. - OF)

Season outlook: The Spartans return just one starter from last year's team and hope the new guys can step up and compete at a high level.