Auburn Riverside Ravens baseball preview
Published 2:36 pm Wednesday, March 18, 2015
RAVENS AT A GLANCE
• COACH: Jon Aarstad, fourth season
• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-11 overall, fifth place with 8-8 SPSL North 4A record. Qualified for the district playoffs.
• TOP RETURNERS: Noah Freelund, senior, pitcher/third baseman/first baseman; Jarrett Hite, junior, pitcher/third baseman/first baseman; Gavin Hettinger, senior, outfielder/third baseman; Dylan Davis, junior, catcher/pitcher/third baseman/first baseman; and Aaron Nguyen, senior, shortstop/pitcher.
• TOP NEWCOMERS: Kenny Miller, freshman, infield/outfield; and Dylan Ostler, freshman, catcher.
• OUTLOOK: The Ravens posted a 12-11 record in the South Puget Sound League North 4A last season, finishing with a loss to Tahoma in district playoffs. This year things won’t get any easier for Auburn Riverside with its drop down to the SPSL 3A, which is packed with tough programs, including Bonney Lake (second in the state 3A tourney last year), Auburn Mountainview (3A champs in 2013) and Sumner (second in state 2A in 2012).
The team will look to leadership from Noah Freelund, a third-year starter. Last season Freelund was the Ravens top innings-eater with a 3-4 win-loss record and 46.1 innings work. His 1.96 earned run average, coupled with 50 strikeouts and just one home run given up earned Freelund a second-team SPSL North 4A selection.
Offensively, Freelund posted a .333 batting average last season, with 20 hits and 15 RBIs, and Auburn Riverside hopes to get about the same from him this year.
The Ravens look to seniors Hettinger (eight RBIs last year) and Nguyen, as well as juniors Hite and Davis to step up offensively. Newcomers Miller and Ostler should contribute as well.
According to Aarstad, Auburn Riverside could field as many as five freshman this season, so gaining experience quickly will be key.
• MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The team tests its mettle April 11 against powerhouse Puyallup before taking on Bonney Lake April 15 and 17. Crosstown rivalry games are set for April 22 and 24 against Auburn Mountainview, and April 29 and 30 against Auburn.
