By Matt Baide
mbaide@chronline.com
The Tenino Beavers are coming into the 2018 baseball season with plenty of confidence.
Tenino finished last season 7-11 overall and 6-6 in league to finish second behind Montesano.
The Beavers lost to La Center followed by Elma in districts to end their season. Tenino was last in the state tournament in 2016, when the Beavers lost to Nooksack Valley 1-0 in the opening round following a run to the district title.
Tenino returns a few players, including senior Miles Cannon, junior Jace Griffis and sophomore Logan Brewer. The team has some returning players, but lacks a lot of varsity playing experience.
“A lot of the guys coming back, they’ve started game but it has not been consistent throughout,” Tenino coach Conner Hogue said. “It isn’t deep, starting games here or there, depending on pitching situations. We’re a really young team as far as varsity experience. We have a lot of work to do.”
The lack of experience is something the younger players have to adjust to quickly as the season progresses.
“We got guys who need to get used to playing everyday, need to get used to preparing to start every game. They making sure they are prepared for the grind they are about to be on,” Hogue said. “We’ve got 12, 13 kids, so guys are going to be playing everyday, multiple pitchers. We lack experience, we’re going to have to learn quickly to adapt.”
The Bulldogs were the only team from the Evergreen League to qualify for the state tournament, where they lost 5-0 to Overlake-Bear Creek in the opening round. Hoquiam finished second in state in 2016 but failed to make state last season and will be hoping to build around some youth much like Tenino.
The mound is going to be the toughest position for Hogue to manage this season. With the small numbers of the team and the lack of varsity experience, the team will try to lean on their defense to help out the younger pitchers.
“We just ask our guys who are currently our top 3, you’re going to stay out there and chew up some innings, not that you don’t put an emphasis on defense,” Hogue said. “We want to make sure they understand we don’t have pitchers who will be striking a bunch of guys out. What I don’t mind about that, it’s a great way to build camaraderie with a team. If things go awry ealy, we’re going to have to dig into the pitching arsenal.”
Hogue believes the strength of the team is defense, but he’s hoping the team can develop at the plate to help take some pressure off of the defense.
“Our situational hitting, our ability to execute bunts, that will become our strength. We’re always trying to develop those things,” Hogue said. “Situational hitting and understanding what you need to do to put the ball in play and be able to sneak away with 1 or 2 runs each inning, it’s really going to have to become our strength.”
There are a few players that have emerged as leaders on the team. Hogue highlighted Karlton Hisaw and Tyrick Weyrauch as well as team captain’s Miles Cannon and Dalton Chambers.
“The kids slowly starting to find their roles. They’re all really good friends and are building a strong foundation as a team,” Hogue said. “The willingness to fight for each other and that is going to get us further into the season. I’m seeing signs of us being able to do that.”
After a tie against Eatonville and a tough loss against Rochester earlier in the season, Tenino has found its stride with a three game win streak and will hope to keep it going against a tough league schedule.
The mentality of this team needs to be one game, one pitch at a time, according to Hogue, and Tenino should see some positive results.
“Just compete every day, with this group especially. We’re going to compete every pitch, that is where they need to stay with their mentality all year,” Hogue said. “Whether we’re on defense, whether we’re hitting, we need to build that toughness mentally. We’ll work through our mistakes and try to be perfect and keep working to compete every pitch.”
Tenino Filled With Youth in Tough League
Tenino fastpitch has a lot of youth that will be looking to prove itself throughout the 2018 season.
The Beavers finished 2-17 last season and lost both games in the district tournament to end their season.
There is some confidence going into this season. Tenino’s pitcher from last season, Felicia Gubbe, has graduated, and freshman Cassie Cannon has stepped into the role of starting pitcher.
At the plate, the team will hope to gain some hits from players like Bailey Green, Reegan Larson and Aurora Hall and figure out the situation at the plate as the season progresses.
It will not be easy competing in the 1A Evergreen League this season.
Montesano finished the season 24-3 and won the state championship 8-2 over La Center last May, and returns league MVP Samantha Stanfield, a standout pitcher and outfielder, to lead the team, along with All-League catcher Peyton Poler and All-League second-teamer Lindsay Pace.
Hoquiam finished third in the league last season at 14-8 overall and placed third in the state tournament, and returns All-League first-team pitcher English Hyde, along with All-League outfielders ReyLynn Dunn and Maya Jump.
Elma finished second in the league last year but missed out on a trip to state. The Eagles, who started the season 6-0, welcome back All-League pitcher Quin Mikel and All-League infielder Kali Rambo, both of whom are now sophomores.
With the Beavers hoping to play on their new field at some point this season, there is reason to be excited for Tenino softball.
