Perhaps the beard Cory Wagner grew during basketball season is proof of Medical Lake baseball coach Kerry Kelly’s observation made a few days ago about his team’s experience.
“Even though we’re still a young team on paper, we’re not young any more,” Kelly said.
And that’s what makes Kelly look forward to starting his fourth season leading the program and improving on a 12-9 finish in 2014 and another berth in the state playoffs.
It’s been a good run for Kelly who inherited a struggling program that was just 1-17 in his first season in 2012, but turned an about face in 2013 going 20-4 and made a run to the state 1A semifinals.
The Cardinals lost just two players, Roman Kissack and Connor Cranston, from 2014 and now feature a team with four seniors, six juniors and two sophomores. Turnout for both varsity and JV was 28 which was down about 5-6 players.
While quantity might be a little slim, quality is not lacking.
“It’s the right group of kids,” Kelly said. “They’ve been in the program, they understand what we’re trying to do.”
That starts at catcher where senior Hudson Petek will be the guy. “To his credit he battled and worked hard during the summertime,” Kelly said. “He’s going to do a lot of good things.”
Philip Murray will give Petek some rest at catching, Kelly said. “He’ll pitch for us, he’ll play outfield for us.” Murray has speed “and is going to be an impact player.”
Kelly hopes the shortstop spot is a done deal with senior and four-year letter winner Dylan Rushfeldt. “I’m really, really hoping he takes control of that middle infield,” Kelly said. “He looks like he wants that challenge.”
“If I could keep Cory Wagner and Tristin Keith in the middle (center field and second base) and Dylan at short and Hudson (at catcher), I like that,” Kelly said. “Shortstop, he’s my quarterback.”
Should Rushfeldt have to move to the mound, and Kelly will do that, the junior Wagner will fill in fine. Wagner is one of the team’s most versatile athletes, capable of playing just about anywhere. “Except I’m not going to let him get behind the plate,” Kelly said.
“If everything goes well, he’s one of those players who possesses the ability to be MVP of the league,” Kelly said of Wagner. “Dynamic center fielder, dynamic shortstop, dynamic athlete, may hit first, may hit third in our lineup.”
Second base is the place Kelly said presents one of the bigger challenges.
“We have a lot of guys, we’re trying to figure that one out,” he said. “We have a battle going on there right now.”
Tyler Munden played there in 2014, as did fellow junior, Brayden Hale. Dylan Vercoe, a sophomore, is also vying for the spot. “Hale is going to be one of those guys, he can pitch for us and he’ll play some second, play some third,” Kelly said.
The versatility continues with Cole Soliday, a junior and a lefthander. Soliday possesses what Kelly called great baseball instincts.
“He can play outfield, he’ll pitch a little bit for us, but he’s going to be primarily at first base,” Kelly said.
Joe Sica, a senior, will play third base. “He is really looking good,” Kelly said. Another senior is Jacob Steinmetz and a four year member of the team who will primarily play first base.
Besides Wagner in the outfield, Jayln Musser, a junior will likely play right — and maybe some left field.
“(He’s) just a really good athlete, really fast,” Kelly said. “This could be a breakout year for him.”
Keith was an all-league selection in 2014 and a player Kelly calls “a great center fielder,” which presents a problem — it’s a good problem — in that the Cardinals have two really good center fielders.
Keith is one of the better players handling the bat, Kelly said. “(He’s) a good bunter, a good contact guy; he plays a lot of pressure situations and comes through.”
“Overall I think we’re one of those teams that should be in the mix, with potential of making a little bit of noise,” Kelly said.
The Northeast A will be a tight battle with Freeman, Lakeside and Riverside all in the mix. And there’s not a whole lot known about NEA newcomers, Colville and Deer Park.
Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].
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