RAVENS AT A GLANCE
COACH: Jon Aarstad, fifth year
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-15 overall, 6-8 in South Puget Sound League 3A.
TOP RETURNERS: Liam Conner, sophomore, pitcher/second base/outfield; Dylan Davis, senior, first base/pitcher; Blake Foster, junior, first base; Garrett Miller, junior, third base/pitcher/outfield; Kenny Miller, sophomore, shortstop/pitcher; Dylan Ostler, sophomore, catcher/first base/pitcher; Cade Stober, sophomore, outfield; Alex Sugi, sophomore, second base/pitcher.
TOP NEWCOMER: Julian Tuimauga, sophomore, third base.
OUTLOOK: The Ravens are coming off just their fourth state appearance in their 20-year history, but getting back might be difficult given the youth of the team as Davis is the only senior returner. The experience these players gain could bode well for Auburn Riverside’s prospects in 2017, though.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Auburn Riverside gets a challenge early in the league schedule as it hosts Sumner on March 30 after opening SPSL 3A play the previous week against Peninsula. A win would give the Ravens momentum as they push toward qualifying for state in back-to-back years – a feat they have only accomplished once in program history.
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LIONS AT A GLANCE
COACH: Glen Walker, 11th year
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 22-3-1 overall, 14-0 in South Puget Sound League 3A.
TOP RETURNER: Alex McBee, junior, outfield/pitcher; Dominic Gleason, senior, catcher/utility; James Kisling, senior, infield; Chandler Michalek, senior, first base/third base; Garrett Neiss, senior, shortstop; Tanner Perry, senior, infield.
TOP NEWCOMERS: Shane Buchanan, junior, outfield/pitcher; Hayden Byorick, sophomore, infield; Michael Daugherty, senior, infield/pitcher; Ben Dobin, senior, infield; Michael Kramer, junior, outfield/pitcher; Michael Manton, senior, outfield; Nathan Shelling, junior, outfield; Cody Stevenson, senior, catcher/pitcher; Nate Weeldryer, freshman, pitch/first base.
OUTLOOK: Auburn Mountainview has won three consecutive league championships, but adding to that total figures to be a challenge given the program’s graduation losses. Walker likes the potential of the offense, but is concerned about the pitching staff. The Lions’ top starter last season, Justin Marsden, now pitches in the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The Lions host Sumner on April 6 and then play the Spartans again on the road two days later. A sweep could put one team in a strong position to capture the SPSL 3A championship.
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TROJANS AT A GLANCE
COACH: Justin Mentink, third season
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-14 overall, 4-10 in South Puget Sound League 3A.
TOP RETURNERS: No information received.
TOP NEWCOMERS: No information received.
OUTLOOK: The Trojans return their top starter, Aaron Foust, a lefty who plans to pitch next season at Pacific Lutheran. But Auburn’s success might hinge on whether it can generate offense this season. After all, the Trojans produced more than four runs in a game just six times last season.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The last two weeks of the season could be interesting as the Trojans play both of their crosstown rivals. On April 27-28, they face Auburn Riverside before they close out the regular season May 2-3 against Auburn Mountainview.
– Chris Chancellor
