Chukar baseball winds up for a new season
TVCC coach Baumann expects Eastern region to be tough
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 10:51 AM PST
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| Argus Observer file Photo
Treasure Valley Community College baseball player Cameron Edman (left) dives back into first base on a pickoff attempt in this Argus Observer File Photo taken in June. Edman is one of the returners expected to make a difference for the Chukars. |
Ontario — The Treasure Valley Community College baseball team has four games under its belt and are sporting a 2-2 record. Head coach Rick Baumann said he has high expectations for this season with the athletes that he is returning and the new ball players that have come into the fold.
“Going off what we did this fall, which is not a real good indicator of what the spring will be like, our expectations went up following the fall season,” Baumann said. “The young guys have preformed very well so far. Our hope is that we should win the Eastern Division of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, and that is our goal.”
Baumann broke down the players on his team, and this is what the fans can expect in 2008.
Maning the closest bag from the batters box will be John Keller. Baumann said Keller was one of the best kids at the showcase last fall. Keller, from Eugene Oregon, was recruited as a pitcher, but has turned out to be the team’s best hitter and he had an outstanding fall.
“He is real comfortable at first base,” Baumann said.
Another first baseman Derek Howerton, a big strong athlete out of Baker who was recruited as a catcher, has found a home at first base, and will hit somewhere in the middle of the line up.
For the Chukars, the most untested position on the diamond is second base. Baumann said he has a couple of athletes battling it out for the starting job.
Ryan Udy a freshman that red-shirted last season is expected to win the battle. Alex Florek from Utah, had to sit out for awhile with a dislocated shoulder, but is now making a comeback and is battling Udy for the position.
At short stop Josh Kalalau is the top recruited player on the team. Kalalau from Seattle is the front runner for the position, but T.J. Fredrick from Blackfoot Idaho has been battling for the starting role.
At third base, Cam Edman a returning player also showed well at the showcase last fall in the NWAACC All-Star game. He hit in the fifth-hole last season, and looks to move into the clean up role this year.
Backing up Edman is Perry Wilkenson a freshman from British Columbia. Baumann said he has been steady all fall and the spring.
Managing the dish, the Chukars have Jose Garcia of Ontario, a returning sophomore who should see plenty of action this season, but will have to stay on his toes with two freshman studs battling for his job.
TVCC recruited two catchers this off-season, picking up Dan Welch of British Columbia and Mike Tevlin from Montana, a left hand hitting catcher.
Baumann said all three can catch well and it should be a battle for the starting role.
In the outfield the Chukars will run with John Rohde in Center field who is projected to be the lead off man for the Chukars this season. Baumann said that Rohde has all the tools for a ball player, and as a bonus, he can pitch.
“He has been gunned in the 90s, and we may use him as a closer,” Baumann said.
Also vying for center field is Christen Jolley another British Columbia product. He will battle for a spot in the outfield.
In the left field corner the Chukars are looking at Jay C. Shepherd from Montana and Dan Harrington of Mountain View High School in Boise.
In the right field corner, returning outfielder Colton Douglass saw limited time last season, but had a great fall and is expected to win the job over British Columbia’s Shawn Cowland.
Baumann feels the strength of the team is the starting pitching that will be taking the mound in the spring of 2008.
“It’s as good as a staff as we have ever had, and that is saying a lot because we have had some very good pitchers here in the past,” Baumann said.
The Chukars have Michael Hobgood a seven game winner last year, J.T. Brodrick and Brian Fowler. Baumann said these three sophomores will lead the team and help the younger pitchers as they adjust to the college game.
Those younger pitchers are Chad Boldt right handed hurler with good speed out of Montana. A freshman from Seattle named Jason Van Skike has caught the coach’s attention with a fast ball coming across the plate in the high 80s.
A British Columbia pitcher Adam Jung has been a surprising player for the Chukars as was Chris Needham of Eagle High School who pitched well in the Chukars win over Mt. Hood this past week.
Baumann said that Columbia Basin will be a tough team again, and they are the winners of the Eastern Region for the past few years. He added that the entire conference will be solid and he does not see a team out there that can be looked over.
At the Skagit Valley tournament, Baumann said he was pleased with the pitching and he said he saw some things he liked.
“It is early and it is difficult to get a good read on anything, but we will shore up a few things that we did see at the tournament,” Baumann said.
The Chukars will embark on three tournaments early in their season and Baumann said he likes to play in the early tournaments because it give those kids that tournament atmosphere and they will get to see some good teams.
HD wrote on Mar 15, 2008 6:55 PM: