CHS Baseball Preview

Bruins Coach Larry McCutcheon is as "excited" as he's ever been for the start of a season.

With seven returning starters and nine lettermen on the roster, the Bruins have the makings for a competitive ballclub, one that should challenge for top honors in the SWW 2A League's Trico Division.

"We're young but I think we're going to be pretty good," McCutcheon said. "The kids are working real hard. I haven't had to get on them at all."

Columbia's lineup will feature seniors David Giron (SS-P) and Jace Yeager (OF-DH), juniors Greg Tellez (3B), Austin Krentz (OF-P), Nick Reeves (C) and Kyle Reeves (1B-P), and sophomores Jared McDonald (P-OF), Daniel Giron (P-1B-DH) and Rees Stevenson (OF).

Seven players are battling for CHS's remaining varsity rosters spots. (McCutcheon said he plans to carry 11 on varsity and 10 on the jayvee.)

Sophomores Dane Bargabus and Taylor Champion are battling for the second base job and could see time on the mound as well.

Also in the mix are sophomores Kent Shelley (IF), Jason Collins (IF) and Kyle Yeager (utility), and juniors Derek Holtmann (C) and Jesse Belvin (OF).

"It's wide open for two or three of these kids to make the varsity," McCutcheon said.

This weekend's games against Rochester will offer McCutcheon the chance to play all 16 players and determine who will make the final cut.

"One of the strengths of this team is that these are baseball kids," McCutcheon said. "We have a lot of kids who've played a lot of varsity ball for us. Plus, they play a lot of baseball in the summer--American Legion, Babe Ruth--and I think that really does help."

A strong non-league schedule also should help Columbia further develop its talent.

"We play a good non-league schedule," McCutcheon said. "We've got two games each with Rochester and Corbett (Ore.), and one each with Washougal, Woodland and Montesano. We'll find out pretty quick what kind of team we are."

All of those games will be played before the Bruins start their Trico schedule on March 31 with a double-header at La Center.

Pitching could prove to be the difference-maker for the Bruins. Five of their returning players--McDonald, Krentz, David Giron, Daniel Giron and Kyle Reeves--have pitched at the varsity level, though none has logged a lot of innings. "The key for our pitchers will be how well they learn to win, to compete when everything isn't working," McCutcheon said. "It's a young staff, but pitching has the potential to be one of the strongest things we do."

Defense also could be another strong point for Columbia.

"I think we should improve from last year, and other than our outfield play, we were pretty solid last year defensively," McCutcheon said, adding, "We have to have the attitude that when the ball's put in play, we're going to catch everything. That's going to be important for our young pitchers."

An improved offensive team also should help take pressure off Columbia's pitchers.

"We have some kids who swing pretty good bats, but it's hard to say how good we'll be until we get out there, see opposing pitching and start competing," McCutcheon said.

If everything comes together for them, the Bruins should find themselves in the thick of the Trico Division trophy hunt.

"Our theme is to get better every day," McCutcheon said. "And my expectation is that I'll be very disappointed if we aren't playing at the district tournament in May."