By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
A new coach has taken the reins of Spokane baseball, and nearly an entirely new group of Owls will join him.
Dalton Kelley is a former graduate assistant for the SBU baseball team and a former coach for the Midwest Nationals in the MINK League, and he will be tasked with building Spokane’s baseball program.
“This year’s team is very young, but each and every one of them is important, from the top guy on the depth chart down to the last guy,” said Kelley. “To become a successful program, these kids will be the foundation.”
In their rebuilding year, the Owls welcome nine freshmen.
Zayne Gale will have a major impact on the mound and on defense. He will fill in at shortstop as well.
Dillon Dougherty is a go-to guy and will be starting catcher. “We will lean on him to control the running game and make pitchers comfortable on the mound,” said Coach Kelley. “He is a catalyst on offense.”
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Caleb Casto will be starting shortstop and one of the main guys on the mound, and has a lot of upside offensively, per his coach.
Sam Shuman “is a spark plug,” said Coach Kelley. “He brings our team energy and enthusiasm. He is a guy you’re excited about having in your program for four years.”
Rounding out the freshman class are Grant Stewart, outfield, Ty Stewart, outfield, Jacob Wiggins, utility, and Jacob Wasson, infield.
Nic Stone, sophomore outfielder, and Stephen Nelson, junior outfielder, are the only two who played high school baseball last year. Coach Kelley said he will rely on them to be leaders and to set good examples for the freshmen.
The new team had their first game experiences together in the fall season, where they went 2-15. Coach Kelley said the Owls were able to learn a lot of fundamentals and handled adversity well, something that will pay off in the long run for the team.
“I most look forward to seeing how much our guys have improved and matured throughout the course of this school year,” said Coach Kelley. “In the fall…the game was moving a little too fast for us. I’m excited to see if this spring we’ll be able to handle the speed of the game.”
“A big word for us is going to be discipline. We have to learn to be disciplined in all aspects of the game and in all aspects of preparing for the game.”
“This upcoming season is going to be a learning experience for every one of our guys,” he added. “We are fortunate to have some great kids in our program that enjoy playing the game of baseball. We know that this spring is going to be a challenge, but a lot of good lessons can still be learned. Learning how to play the game the right way this year will hopefully help build our program for the future and build it into a successful one.”
The Owls open their season at the Mt. Vernon Jamboree March 10, then host Hartville March 16.
