2020 Blaine Baseball Preview

Coach: Tanner Olson (3rd Year with Blaine, 23-20 record)

Home Field: Pipeline Fields

Last Season: 12-10 (8-5 Conference)

Key Losses: 3B/OF Chase Abshere (.361 AVG, .409 OBP, 15 R, 4 2B, 4 3B, 14 RBI), 1B/P Ben Wallen (.365 AVG, .444 OBP, 10 R, 3 2B, 16 RBI, 4 W, 25 IP, 31 K’s, 1.68 ERA), CF/P Colby Knutzen (.255 AVG, .435 OBP, 15 R, 3 2B, 12 RBI, 9 SB, 3 W, 37 IP, 44 K’s, 2.86 ERA), 2B/OF Nick Gunderson (.263 AVG, .391 OBP, 16 R, 2 2B, 12 RBI, 5 SB), 2B Ryan Turnberg (.270 AVG, .438 OBP, 11 R, 8 RBI, 4 SB), 3B Hayden Dohner (.322 OBP, 11 R, 9 RBI).

Top Returnees: SS Kyle Turnberg, OF/P Griffin King, 1B/P Tobin Akre, P Tyler Haggith, C Justin Saunders.

Pitchers and Catchers: It’s going to be Southpaw City up north. Senior left-handers Tyler Haggith, Griffin King and Tobin Akre all return after putting significant time on the mound last season. Haggith is a strike-throwing workhorse that threw 32 innings last season, while walking just 15 and striking out 35 batters. He also won a pair of games and posted a 3.50 ERA. King also won two games, and had an ERA of 2.92 and Akre was dominant out of the bullpen. He saved two games and struck out 17 batters, while only walking six. He also had an ERA of 1.42. Junior Justin Saunders is back at catcher, and after catching the majority of the season last year, he’s going to be looked upon to make a big impact in 2020.

Infield: The majority of the infield was lost due to graduation, but the Borderites return junior Kyle Turnberg at shortstop. He batted .309 last season and had an on-base percentage of .449. He almost always makes contact, striking out just five times in 72 plate appearances in 2019. Akre (.242 AVG) and Haggith could each see time at first base, much like last season. Sophomores Aiden Vezzetti and Jaxon Kortlever could be looked upon to fill the other spots around the infield.

Outfield: King (.302 OBP, 12 R, 7 RBI) is a three-year starter that will lead the outfield. Junior Bellingham transfer Everett Simpson has been playing varsity since day one his freshman season, and can play all over the diamond, but his athleticism will likely place him in center field. It will be the first year of varsity baseball where he is 100% healthy, and he could prove to be one of the league’s top players. Junior Jacob Miller is a first-year varsity player, but Coach Olson likes his speed in the outfield as well. Akre could also see time in the outfield when he’s not at first base or pitching.

Final Analysis: Blaine might not have the power that it’s had in year’s past, but there is still a lot of talent on this team. The Borderites will lean on pitching and defense, and if the timely hitting comes along, they will be a tough team to contend with. It’s a very good mix of veterans and newcomers, and then when you throw in Simpson’s transfer from Bellingham, it creates a very good mix.

Tyler’s predicted lineup: