By Chris Parker
Craig Foster takes over as head coach of the Spokane baseball program this year with an experienced roster returning. Foster, who served as an assistant at Spokane last season, will look to turn around a program that hasn’t posted a winning season since 2014.
Spokane returns all of its starters from last fall with 18 expected on the roster.
A relentless approach to the game will be a hallmark of this year’s team.
“We won’t quit,” Foster said. “All 18 guys will practice and play with passion and as hard as they can. They know their role and what is expected of them. Look for us to play selfless baseball. If we get an entire group of young men that will do anything and everything for each other, not themselves, we can be successful. I think our guys understand this and are bought in to doing everything for the team, not themselves.”
Seniors Jace Leigh (shortstop/catcher/pitcher), Luke Wasson (catcher/pitcher) and JD Tate (first base/pitcher) along with junior Bo Essick (third base/shortstop/pitcher) will be team leaders.
Leigh was a second-team all-conference utility player who hit .327 with 14 stolen bases in the fall.
“Jace has a great understanding of the game,” Foster said. “He will bat leadoff. Jace will catch for us when he is not pitching. Jace simply has a knack of finding ways to get on base. He has a very good understanding of what a leadoff hitter needs to do, and gets those things done, and immediately becomes a threat on the bases. He is our best ‘athlete’. Leadership-wise, Jace is an all-around program guy. He is selfless and cares about other players success more than his own.”
Wasson was honorable mention all-conference as a catcher last season. He hit .286 with 9 RBI while striking out 50 on the mound this past fall.
“Luke is very quick behind the plate, does a great job blocking and has a good arm,” Foster said. “He does a good job all around as a catcher. Offensively, he will hit third for us. Luke also does a great job helping our younger guys. He is a guy that our younger guys look up to.”
Tate hit .370 with 12 RBI in the fall with 51 strikeouts on the mound.
“JD will play first base when he’s not pitching,” Foster said. “Standing 6’8, he is a very easy target to hit at first. He plays the position very well. Offensively, he led our team in batting average, extra base hits, and RBI’s last fall. When JD is on the mound and in the zone, I believe we can beat almost anyone on our schedule. JD did not play last spring but will be vital in our success this year. He will be counted on to hit in the middle of our lineup, drive in runs, and be one of our top three arms.”
CLICK HERE TO FIND LINKS TO ALL OF OUR SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
Essick was a second-team all-conference infielder last season.
“Bo is 190 pounds of straight muscle,” Foster said. “He will spend hours on his own doing what it takes for him to succeed at his role. Last spring, Bo played shortstop. This year, you will see Bo a lot at third base. He brings us a lot more range and athleticism. Offensively, Bo will likely hit in the two-hole. Last summer, he broke his femur, and we were without him all fall. However, he will be ready to go this spring and a huge part of our success.”
Tate, Wasson and Essick will be the top three arms on the pitching staff. Tate is a well-rounded pitcher with great off-speed stuff he can throw in any count. Wasson has a four-pitch mix all of which he locates well. Essick is a great presence on the mound who has made great strides since last season.
Freshmen Tristan Gold (second base) and Tim Rantz (third base) will join Tate, Essick, Leigh and Wasson on the infield.
Gold got his first taste of baseball last fall and had an immediate impact.
“Anytime you have a freshman that has never played the game of baseball in his life come out and earn a starting spot as a freshman, you have something special,” Foster said of Gold. “Tristan was DHed for a lot in the fall, however, offensively, he has improved over the past six months. He will be competing for a spot in our lineup. Tristan is a natural athlete. He has a great work ethic, and as a freshman is a great leader. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but leads through his actions and will do anything he can to improve continuously.”
Rantz brings an advanced approach to the plate as well. He drove in eight runs in the fall.
“As a freshman, he (Rantz) proved very quickly that he can hit in the middle of a varsity lineup,” Foster said. “However, Tim’s defense has improved a lot as well. He will be a utility guy, look for him at either corner infield spot depending on who is pitching.”
The outfield will be comprised of seniors Josheph Jimerson in centerfield and Grady Claybrook in right field with sophomore Ethan Newell in left field.
Jimerson is the anchor of the outfield.
“Josheph takes pride in everything he does” Foster said. “He is the hardest worker we have. He spends hours upon hours practicing until he gets things figured out. Defensively, Josheph will play center. He is very quick and someone I can count on to not only make the routine play, but also put together a highlight play every once in a while. Offensively, Josheph has struggled. He has put in countless hours to be able to hit at the varsity level. I am excited to see him rewarded this spring for his hard work at the plate.”
Foster will look for his team to make the right decisions defensively while manufacturing runs offensively.
“We will be successful fundamentally,” Foster said. “We will make the routine plays. If we can throw a ton of strikes, we will be successful. Offensively, we will do a good job playing small ball and making teams work to get their outs. If we do a good job getting on base, our lineup features a ton of speed, which will be huge for us.”
Spokane opens the season on Mar. 17 at Sarcoxie.
“Last spring, we struggled at nearly every aspect of the game,” Foster said. “I think if we stay healthy, we will surprise some teams. Our guys are all bought in and will do what it takes to be successful. I think having Bo and Ethan back and healthy, as well as returning everyone from the fall, puts us in a good position this spring. We don’t have a true ace, but anytime JD, Luke, or Bo step on the mound, I believe we have a chance to come out on top. I think our defense will be good, and if we improve offensively and are more consistent, we will be in a good place.”
