Lewis-Clark State College

Prospectus: A Preview of Coming Attractions

The Warriors enter the 1998 season with perhaps more questions in terms of who is going to play where than at any other time in Coach Ed Cheff’s 22-year tenure at LCSC. Last year’s club was dominated by one of the best senior classes in LCSC history. "We lost a great group of seniors, yet I’m optimistic we will be very competitive - we’ve been in this situation a few times before and ended up winning a couple of national titles," Cheff said.

Nine national championships and a 1,063-277 overall record during the past 21 years makes cause for big expectations, and of course, the pressure to win. "The expectation to contend for a national title every year has always been something our teams seem to respond to in a positive manner. I like the toughness and intelligence of the club - they fit the Warrior mold", Cheff said.

Lewis-Clark State will remain with the NAIA for a variety of reasons, one being the feeling that NAIA is a quality organization. Plans for full NCAA Division I membership reached the Warriors final qualifying year in 1997. A 40-7 mark against NCAA D-I programs, four wins in six meetings with Pac 10 champions University of Washington, and a title in the San Jose Invitational certainly supported what followers of LCSC baseball have always believed - a top NAIA program can certainly win big on the Division I level. The schedule in '98 promises to be very challenging as the Warriors will compete against the top Northwest teams as well as quality ball clubs in the Las Vegas Invitational and the University of Hawaii’s Rainbow Classic.

The Positions

PITCHERS

Only three pitchers return from last year's staff but a host of newcomers should provide ample compensation. Third-year pitching coach Tyler Cheff states, "there will be a lot of competition for a couple of starting roles." The two returning starters - John Veitch (4-1, 2.81 ERA) and Adam Huxhold (8-0.2.41 ERA) are coming off solid seasons and will provide good leadership to a new staff. Reliever Chad Pierce (1-0) should see action again out of the bullpen.

Other potential starters include lefties's Scott Kelly (Green River CC) Australian native Jimmy Ramshaw, and University of San Francisco transfer Owen McAlister.

Right-handers Rob Shoults (Citrus College), Jon Zumwalt (Tacoma CC), and Clint Cameron (Edmonds CC) also could land starting roles. Zumhwalt may posses the best breaking ball on the staff while Shoults may have the best change-up. Cameron's resilient arm and mental toughness also make him a candidate for closing duties.

Junior right-handers Paul Manibusen (College of the Siskiyous) and Todd Menti (Blue Mountain CC) could both play significant roles in the bullpen. Senior transfer Ryan Cunneen (Oklahoma State) may have the most durable arm on the staff, making him available on a daily basis.

The biggest surprise this year was the emergence of sophomore utility player Ryan Baerlocher. This Lewiston native had a tremendous fall, throwing in the 88-90 MPH range with a good slider. Bearlocher could start or close this spring.

Junior lefty Tim Wetteland may also see some time on the mound even though he may land a starting position in the outfield.

CATCHERS

Senior Barry Larson has the inside track at the starting job. Hustle and work ethic are his biggest attributes.Sophomore transfer Kurt Koshelnik (University of Washington) will likely backup Larson, at least until Gil Pierce recovers from shoulder surgery. Koshelnik has never caught before, but possess the physical tools and makeup to be a quality catcher. He is also the top choice to start at third base. Freshman David Stone and Jamie Kubena could see some varsity action.

OUTFIELD

Centerfielder Kendrick Wallace was injured last spring but the former L.A. Harbor Junior College standout is healthy and looking forward to a banner year. Junior transfer Brian Nannini (Merced Junior College) will likely start in right field and another juco transfer, Jim Hereford (Lower Columbia CC) projects to start in left. Freshman Jeremy Bakker, a member of last year’s Australian junior national team; junior Tad Desimone (Big Bend CC) and Tim Wetteland (San Mateo CC) should challenge for starting jobs.

INFIELD

"I’m not sure we have ever had as many quality middle infielders in our program" is how Coach Cheff assesses the strength of the infield. Five guys have a legitimate shot as starting in the middle - returnees Elliott Strankman and Ryan Luther; freshman standout Ryan Riley; and transfers Chad Kline (Spokane Falls CC) and Tom Goetz (Eastern Oregon University). Kline’s bat and consistent play has him a step up over the other guys.One of the middle infielders, probably Luther, could start in the outfield and depending on Koselnik’s situation, one of them could end up at third. Yet another option has first baseman Brian Flanagan (juco transfer from California State Champion Cypress CC) moving to third. First basemen Steve Rawson (L.A. Harbor CC) and Big Bend CC transfer Toby Cheff haveboth shown solid left handed hitting, consistency and power. Both could find a way into the line-up.

Top Frosh Prospects: Tim Jewel has shown a solid approach to playing in the outfield. First baseman Rich Dean; infielders Justin Fox and Jeremy Fox; and catchers Jamie Kubena and David Stone are solid prospects that will start out on the Warrior JV ball club this spring.

Junior Varsity Prospectus

This year welcomes the return of the junior varsity team, absent in the Warrior baseball program for the last several years. Coaching the team will be former Warriors Allen Jackson and Dave Schueller. The team is composed of talented freshman who are all capable of moving on to the varsity squad.

The outfield may be a little thin but freshmen Jeremy Fox (Garfield-Palouse High School) and Tim Jewell (Borah High School) should solidify two of the positions. Jewell will also see some time at first base, giving regular firstbaseman Richard Dean (Surrey, B.C.) some time in the outfield. Freshman Jeremy Bakker may also spend some time in the junior varsity outfield to gain experience but he will see most of his action on the varsity.

Justin Fox (Colville High School) will start at second base. He impressed the coaches with his bat during the fall. Zack Brewer (Eastlake High School) will start at third. He is just recovering from knee surgery done last summer. The shortstop position is wide open with pitcher Chad Jones (Forsyth High School) the likely candidate. Jones played SS in high school when he wasn't pitching. Richard Dean and Tim Jewell will trade off at first base this spring. Behind the plate will be Jamie Kubena (Borah High School). He will be backed up by secondbaseman Justin Fox.

The JV pitching staff looks to be a good one. The four starters appear to be righthanders Jason Conover (Lake Washington High School), Jon Bitton (Blackfoot, ID), and Jon Lemke (Mountain View High School) and the lone lefty on the staff, Chris Rennaker (Darby, MT). Relievers Glen Nomura (Kaiser High School, HI), Nate Bartlett (Central Valley High School), and Chad Jones (Forsyth MT) could be used in any role while Nomura and Jones are also available for middle infield duties.

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Last modified on: February 25, 1998

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