Jake Duvall takes over as the head coach at Spokane this year after serving as an assistant at Northwest Hughesville for six seasons. He is tasked with turning around a program that won just one game last season.
There is already cause for optimism this spring thanks to a five-win fall campaign for the Owls.
“There is more confidence in the kids going into the spring season. The success also drew the attention of a few more students who will be playing baseball in the spring,” Duvall said.
Everything with high school baseball starts on the pitcher’s mound, and Duvall should have four players to lean on there in senior Stephen Nelson and the sophomore trio of Jacob Wiggins, Dillon Dougherty and Zayne Gale. Wiggins and Nelson will be two of Spokane’s top outfielders when not pitching. Gale will see time on the infield when no on the mound.
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Jacob Wasson (sophomore), Blane Branum (freshman) and Conor Cundiff will be the other key infielders for Spokane.
That group should combine to give the Owls a formidable defensive unit.
“Our biggest strength will be our defense. They have bought into my defensive philosophy and they give it their all on the field,” Duvall said.
Duvall would like to see his team improve from the five wins this past fall.
“I believe winning consistently would make it (a) successful (season). I don’t expect to go from one win to a district title, but I do expect to take another step forward after a promising fall season,” Duvall said.
Spokane is still a young team this year, but that does not mean the Owls are lacking experience.
“While we are still a young team, the majority of the starters have experience as starters and they are starting to grow up quickly,” Duvall said.
Spokane opens the season on Mar. 15 at Hartville.
