Sean C. Morgan
New Coach John Best thinks the Huskies have a good shot at the league championship in baseball this season.
“I think the key this year is going to be pitching,” he said. “Two guys returning there are going to be key for us.”
Those are seniors Daniel Virtue and Devin Stafford, both in their third years on varsity, he said. Virtue started last year throwing really well, throwing a perfect game against Molalla.
“When he’s on, he’s tough,” Best said of Virtue, and “Stafford threw very well last year.”
Senior catcher Keanu Aiona will “have to lead the troops,” Best said. “Offensively, he was one of our best players last year.”
Aiona will hit in the middle of the order.
Senior Kobe Olson will play infield this year, Best said. Olson played a little second base last year, and he’ll play there a lot this year.
“He was pitching smooth last year,” he said of Olson, and the team will count on him defensively.
“He’s a guy we want to see on base early in our order,” he said.
Senior Jon Elder moves to varsity this season, Best said. “I’m really liking what I’m seeing with him so far.”
Elder will be a utility player, spending time infield and outfield, and he will be asked to do a lot for the team, he said. He’ll be a key to success.
“We’re going to find a lot of spots for him to have some opportunities,” he said.
Two juniors, Nick Marler and Austin James, return to the varsity lineup this season, Best said. Marler, who was injured during the basketball season, is getting better every day.
Both of them are outfielders, he said. “They shared time last year as our third outfielder. This year, they’re both going to be asked to be starting outfielders.”
Junior Keegan Holly moves to varsity this season.
“We’re pretty excited about him,” Best said. He’s a well-rounded athlete. He’s left-handed and will spend time pitching and in the outfield. “He’s going to play a little bit of first base. He’s going to turn into a pretty good first baseman and pitcher.”
Junior Fisher Anderson, another lefty, also moves to the varsity roster this year, the coach said. He’ll spend time pitching and at first base as well.
“He loves baseball,” he said of Anderson. He has an above-and-beyond work ethic. “He’s a great kid. Defensively, we’re going to ask him to do a lot.
“We’ve got two sophomores coming up, and they’re going to be big for us. They need to be big for us.”
Colton Smith will be shortstop and a starting pitcher, Best said. He can throw, and he can catch, which means Aiona will have a chance to throw some games too.
“(Smith’s) a good athlete, and he had a great summer last year,” he said.
Nate Virtue is going to start at third base and pitch this year, Best said.
“As sophomores, these guys are going to be asked to start. They’ve been looking good, and they’re impressive.”
Around the league, Best thinks Sweet Home will be the team to beat.
“Sisters is going to be tough,” he said. “They’re always tough.”
Cottage Grove was the league champion last year and will be strong again this year, he said. “If we play the way we can, I think we have the opportunity to compete for league champion.”
Elmira will be tough and aggressive, he said. While Junction City and Sutherlin didn’t win many games last year, he expects them to be getting better this year.
“I really feel the league is going to be pretty competitive this year,” he said.
The Huskies finished fourth in league last year with a 7-8 record in league and 13-10 overall. They lost to Astoria in the play-in round.
Pitching depth will be key to the Huskies’ success, he said. “We have a lot of guys that can throw and throw very well.”
The team has some good hitters, and the coaching staff has noticed they have speed this year, so Best expects Sweet Home to be aggressive running the bases.
A new rule limiting the number of throws per pitcher won’t likely impact the Huskies because they have the depth, with five or six guys who are confident, but it could affect other teams, he said.
The coaching staff includes Tow and Jim Hagle assisting at the varsity level. Mike Carpenter is coaching the JV with assistance from Joe Ellis.
Gavin Kauffman, assisted by Mike Chiaffino, is coaching JV2.
“I’m pretty optimistic,” Best said. “We’re excited for it to start. I think all three teams are going to be very, very competitive. I think it’s going to be a fun year for Sweet Home baseball. They’ve been working really hard in practice.”
Junior varsity players are Connor Ford, Gavin Nichols, Hayden McDonald, Keegan Schuster, Codie Brown, Zach Zanona, Zach Luttmer, Ethan Chiaffino, Nathan Powers, Micah Stewart, Johnny Maas, Austin Olin, Terron Kopperud and Casey Tow.
JV2 players are Connor Ford, Gavin Nichol, Corbin Wright, Zach Luttmer, Zach Zanona, Ike Walnum, Jonny Maas, Ethan Chiafino, Trevor Justham, Seth Gaylord, Colby Seiber, Dakotah Seward and Casey Tow.