A dozen wins, a third-place Trico League finish and a S.W. Washington District 4 playoff appearance represent the low end of what Columbia High's baseball team will be playing for during the 2002 season.
The Bruins finished third in Trico standings last year (behind Ridgefield and Castle Rock), then lost a district playoff game at home to Montesano to conclude their season with a 12-9 record.
Bruins Coach Larry McCutcheon said CHS, with the talent and experience it has coming back, should be able to improve on all of the above.
"We got a lot done last year, and we didn't hit the ball very well (.280 team average)," he noted. "If we can improve our hitting, and do everything else as well or better than last year, we could be a pretty good ballclub."
Columbia returns nine lettermen from a year ago, including eight starters and its top hitter, pitcher and base stealer (each of whom received All-Trico League commendation).
The list of returnees features seniors Bryan Charters (OF-P), Paul Courtney (OF), Adam Hogberg (utility), Chris Peck (OF-P) and Hayden Weiler (2B); juniors Matthew Carlock (SS-P), Eric Crause (P-OF) and Kenny Mace (C); and sophomore Brandon Verley (1B-P).
Verley, who played in all 21 games in 2001, came on strong to lead CHS in hitting and runs batted in on his way to All-Trico first-team selection in his rookie season.
The sweet-swinging lefty batted .397 (27 for 68) with 23 RBIs and a .588 on-base percentage.
Moreover, he tied for the team lead in home runs (2) and runs scored (18), and stole 11 bases in 14 attempts.
McCutcheon said he is expecting another big year from Verley, who could hit third or fourth in the batting order this year.
"Last year was just the second time in 20 years of coaching that I had a team hit under. 300," the Bruins' field boss reflected. "I think we'll hit the ball much better this year because it'll be the second year with my philosophy, and the kids are adjusting to it."
Columbia pitchers should be better, too, as a result of a year of varsity experience.
Crause, a right-hander, emerged as the ace of the Bruins' pitching staff last season -- his first full year at the varsity level.
He compiled a 5-2 record and 2.78 earned-run average, struck out 26 in a team-high 35-2/3 innings, and fashioned a streak of 21-2/3 scoreless innings at one point of the season. His performance merited All-Trico second-team recognition.
"Our pitching should be solid. Basically, we have our entire staff back from last year," McCutcheon said. "We have four or five kids we'll feel comfortable handing the ball to."
In addition to Crause, the returning staff includes Peck, Carlock, Verley and Charters. Another candidate for varsity innings is freshman Jon Bryan.
"We've got a couple of non-league games before we start league play to give us a chance to look at everybody," McCutcheon said. "We'll probably pitch by committee those first two games before we make any rotation decisions."
The key to the offense could be Charters, who earned All-Trico second-team mention in his second varsity season, but first as a full-time starter.
And, though he didn't have a great batting average (.169) as CHS's lead-off hitter, he walked 20 times, had a .508 on-base percentage and also scored 18 runs.
Charters' greatest value to the team came in the stolen-base department: he was caught stealing only once in 16 attempts.
"Base running should be a strength for us again," McCutcheon noted. "And as the kids found out last year, that's kind of my game. We will run as much as possible and force teams to make plays."
Defensively, the Bruins expect to be sound fundamentally, though they must find replacements at third base and catcher, where CHS graduated a couple of all-league selections.
The competition for playing time at catcher is among last year's backup, Mace, and a pair of jayvee veterans, junior Charlie Kitchin and sophomore Jason Carlock.
McCutcheon said CHS will need two catchers with the always-present risk of injury and four double-headers on the back side of the schedule.
It's those double-headers -- one during spring break, the others after -- that could very well decide the Trico League championship.
"We play everybody four times. So out of 16 games, I think we can lose a few games and still win the league," McCutcheon said. "It won't be easy because everybody else should be better too, but I like our chances."
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