KingCo 4A - Crest Division Preview

Crest Division - Pre-Season Coaches Poll
1) Redmond (3 first place votes) - 15 points
2) Newport (2) - 14 points
3) Skyline - 9 points
4) Issaquah - 8 points
5) Eastlake - 4 points

Coaches were asked to rank their division in order of projected finish, excluding their own teams. 4 points were awarded for 1st, 3 for second and so on down to 1 point for 4th. One team did not vote.

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Team Capsules (listed alphabetically)
Eastlake Wolves
Head Coach: Kevin Agnew (1st year)
2010 Summary: 1-15 KingCo (5th in Crest division), 1-18 overall

Returning starters: Casey Fithian (Jr - C), Connor Hanson (Sr - IF)

Other returners: Andrew Carey (Sr - OF), Alex Chen (Jr - OF), Alex Dean (Sr - P), Robert Nolan (Jr), Ethan Potter (Sr - P/OF), Andrew Stull (Jr - P)

Top newcomers: John Armour (Jr - OF/C), Nick Kassuba (Jr - IF/P), David Stariha (Sr - IF), Michael Staudinger (Soph - OF), Ryan Tucker (Sr - P)

Season Outlook from Coach Agnew: Our kids are working very hard and are excited to compete against their Kingco competition. We have an experienced group of pitchers and a nice mix of young position players. Casey Fithian will return as our starting catcher. He provides quality leadership for our team and we look to him for production as a middle order guy. Andrew Carey will lead our outfielders. He returns after a strong junior year and he is another guy that provides leadership and will be a middle order hitter. All together our team is working hard to prepare for the upcoming season. This year our league and our division are going to be extremely tough. Our kids are looking forward to the challenge and are ready to get going.

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Issaquah Eagles
Head Coach: Rob Reese (18th year, 298-123 career record)
2010 Summary: 12-4 KingCo (T-1st in Crest division), 17-6 overall; Eliminated in KingCo playoffs

Returning starters: Jake Bakamus (Jr - SS), Ben Rosellini (Sr - LF)

Other returners: Ethan Kalin (Jr - P/1B), Brandon Mahovlich (Jr- P/3B), Blake Miller (Jr - CF), Gavin Schumaker (Sr - 2B)

Top newcomers: Scott Boydston (Jr - P), Jack Gellatly (Fr - IF), Matt Gonn (Jr - P/OF), Ryan Guiberson (Soph - 1B/P), Andrew Kemmerer (Jr - P/C), David McIlvaine (Jr - IF), Trenton Nagasawa (Jr - IF), Danny Rawlings (Jr - OF/P), Justin Reynolds (Sr - 2B), Zach Walker (Soph - C), Cole Westover (Jr - P/3B)

Season Outlook from Coach Reese: Lost 13 seniors from 2010 team. Have only 3 seniors this year. Rebuilding year. Strong junior class but lack experience. Pitching depth could be a problem early.

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Newport Knights
Head Coach: Hal DeBerry (2nd year)
2010 Summary: 11-5 KingCo (3rd in Crest division); Eliminated in KingCo playoffs

Returning starters: Daniel Altchech (Sr - Util), Nate Anderson (Jr - CF), Nick Clifford (Sr - 1B/OF), Jared Fisher (Sr - RHP/1B), Billy Sahlinger (Jr - SS/RHP), Cole Wiper (Sr - RHP/IF)

Other returners: Brandon Richards (Sr - C), Eric Jensen (Sr - RHP), Lee Stoops (Sr - C)

Top newcomers: Ioannis Kritsonis (Jr - IF), Curtis Kojima (Jr - OF), Matt Murray (Sr - RHP/3B), Zak Holcomb (Sr - RHP/1B), Aaron Sandefur (Jr - 3B/RHP), Mason Paul (Jr - IF), Keith Van Court (Sr - OF/1B), Joseph Victor (Sr - OF)

Season Outlook from Coach DeBerry: The Knights return a solid nucleus of players from the 2010 campaign, with six returning position players who saw significant time last season. The pitching staff will be deep and experienced, with four returners who pitched last season. Pitching and defense are the strengths of the ball club; our offensive progression will be a key in where we finish in a very tough Crest Division.

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Redmond Mustangs
Head Coach: Dan Pudwill (7th year, 104-37 career record)
2010 Summary: 12-4 KingCo (T-1st in Crest division), 19-6 overall; KingCo tournament champions, eliminated in State quarterfinals

Returning starters: Zach Abbruzza (Sr - P/IF), Michael Conforto (Sr - IF), Dylan Davis (Sr - P/OF), Peter Hendron (Jr - P/OF), Patrick McGrath (Jr - IF), T.J. Whidby (Sr - P/IF)

Other returners: Jake Levin (Sr - P/IF), Colin McBride (Sr - C/OF)

Top newcomers: Conner Bozman (Jr - OF), Peter Irvin (Sr - P)

Season Outlook from Coach Pudwill: We should be able to score runs this year. The key is to maintain consistency on the mound and solidify our defense. Hopefully, if we do those things, we can find a way out of Kingco and into the state tourney.

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Skyline Spartans
Head Coach: Chris Tamminen (8th year)
2010 Summary: 7-9 KingCo (4th in Crest division), 12-12 overall; KingCo tournament runner-up, eliminated in first round of State

Returning starters: Weston Blackburn (Sr - IF), Zach Liddle (Sr - IF), Nate Litka (Sr - IF), Jimmy Sinatro (Jr - C)

Top newcomers: Connor Gilchrist (Jr - P/OF), Clayton Huber (Jr - P/1B), Matt Lunde (Jr - P), Brandon Lundenberg (Sr - P), Tyler Neudorfer (Sr - IF), Connor Reinerstein (Jr - OF), Travis Snider (Sr - P/OF)

Season Outlook from Coach Tamminen: Have a good group of kids. Hope they learn quickly how they need to play at this level. A group that will get better as we go.

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