Sean C. Morgan
With six seniors returning and plenty of experience in the lower grades, is this the year for Sweet Home High School’s baseball team to win the league and then take it all?
Hard to say, but the ingredients are there.
Sweet Home is blessed with a returning first-team all-league pitcher in senior Justin Rice, who set the school earned-run-average record, .68, as a junior.
“Justin Rice kind of leads off the seniors,” said Coach Matt Matuszak. “He’s going to be a four-year letterman.”
Drayson Scott joins Rice as the team’s top workhorses, Matuszak said, and Nate Melcher and Colton Holly return as multiple-year starters.
Brandon Marquez transferred in this year, Matuszak said. “He’s had a great career over in Lebanon, and we’ve had the honor of having him join our program.”
Kory VanDeusen rounds out the senior class.
The senior class is the core of the team, with its multiple-year starters, Matuszak said. They’re coming off a great season last year when they finished second in league behind Sisters. They hosted and won a playoff game against Central before losing at powerhouse North Valley in the second round in Grants Pass.
“We’ve got really high expectations,” Matuszak said. “We expect to build and improve off of last season.”
During the off season, the team stayed busy working out and spending time in the weight room, Matuszak said. “The attendance and work the kids put in just has me excited about this upcoming season.”
Joining the senior class are juniors Austin Rice, J.T. Weld and Christian Voldbaek.
Austin Rice was second-team all-league, and Matuszak hopes to have him at the top of the lineup. Weld returns with experience and will be a workhorse in the outfield. Matuszak is also looking for Voldbaek to step up.
A couple of sophomores may move up to the varsity, he said, but those slots are still open.
“Our pitching will be the strength of our team,” he said.
On the mound, the Huskies are deep. Rice is likely to be the team’s ace, but Scott has improved his consistency and throws as well as anybody. Marquez has experience, and he should also be at the top of the rotation, and VanDeusen can expect to see some innings.
Holly is recovering from an injury and probably will not pitch this year, Matuszak said.
A couple of younger players also will spend time on the mound, he said. The pitching staff will be deep.
Melcher will continue behind the plate, likely backed up by sophomore Brett Blachley.
The infield will include Scott, Rice, Marquez, Holly, Voldbaek and VanDeusen, likely joined by sophomore Hunter Jutte.
Outfield will be covered by Austin Rice, Weld and Holly.
VanDeusen will also spend time in the outfield, Matuszak said. He’s expected to move “all over the place.”
Around the league, which appears to be fairly strong all around this year, Sisters has won the title for the past couple of years, he said, and the Outlaws return a lot of those players.
On paper, from the outside looking in, Sisters would probably be everybody’s pick, he said. “We expect to be right there. Our goal is to beat them and win the league title. Our ultimate goal is to win the state championship.”
Chasing rings” is a kind of motto for the team, Matuszak said.
“You always go as far as your senior class will take you,” he said. And he’s excited about this senior class. This is Matuszak’s fourth year with the team. The first year, the Huskies finished fourth. The second year, the team finished third, and last year, the Huskies finished second. He expects to continue the pattern.
Sisters was eliminated in the quarterfinals, he said. The team could have easily been in the championship had it been in the other bracket. Instead, Sisters faced a rough draw and lost to North Valley in the quarterfinals immediately following the Huskies’ elimination. Another powerhouse, Ontario, eliminated North Valley.
Elmira has a lot coming back from a third-place finish last year and second the year before, he said. Elmira has been young and also is experiencing a “senior” year.
Matuszak expects Cottage Grove, La Pine and Junction City to be improved this year.
Matuszak said he has a “great” coaching staff. Dan Tow is taking the freshman squad, where his son Justin Tow is playing.
Tow, Matuszak’s predecessor, has a lot of experience, Matuszak said. Greg Sipe will assist.
Josh Blachley will coach the junior varsity, assisted by Andrew Bennett, who is new to the program.
Matuszak will be assisted by Kyle Dziedzic; Cory Hanks, who graduated last year and is volunteering this year; Adam Hummer; and Josh Marvin, who returns after a year off.
The varsity and junior varsity, to be finalized as the season progresses. Other players in the mix are juniors Dylan Elder, Jon Sims, Steven Ulmer and Montana Baxter. Sophomores include Jason Miller, Cole Ashcraft, Colyn Van Eck, Kevin Seiber and Mitch Weidner. Freshmen include Brandon Keenon.
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FRESHMAN BASEBALL team members are, in front, from left, Douglas Livengood, Justin Tow, Tyler Plebuch, Tim Miller, D.J. Bidwell, Garrison Whitfield and Jesus Patricio. In back are Coach Dan Tow, Jordan Paul, Zephry Schwab, Kevin Carrington, Greg Staten, Desmond Ely, Jake Long and Allen Madero.