By Chris Parker
Spokane baseball is looking for a breakout season with depth and experience returning from last season’s eight-win team.
“One of our biggest strengths this year will be our pitching depth,” Spokane head coach Craig Foster said. “We have eight guys we feel confident putting on the mound, which gives us flexibility throughout the season. A couple sophomores have really stepped up this fall to add depth, and Landon Dollarhide threw over 25 innings for us last year, consistently giving us a chance to win. This is also the most experienced team I’ve had, and that experience should pay off in big moments. Another huge strength for us is that we have the guys to fill in depending on who is pitching. When Timothy Rantz and Logan Rollings pitch, sophomore Jackson Rantz fills in well in the infield and continues to improve, while Jackson Carroll provides flexibility in the outfield. Offensively, we have a good mix of speed and power. If we consistently put the ball in play, we should be solid. Defensively, our focus will be limiting mental mistakes and playing clean baseball.”
The top of the rotation will feature Timothy Rantz, Kade Burk and Rollings.
Timothy Rantz did not pitch last season due to injury, but in the fall he had 40 innings on the mound with a 2.33 ERA holding opposing hitters to under .150.
“Timothy brings a ton of confidence to the mound,” Foster said. “He attacks the zone incredibly well. He won’t overpower you, but does a very good job locating all four of his pitches.”
Burk has good velocity.
“Kade brings more velocity on the mound for us. His off-speed stuff has also improved, but most importantly, he did a better job filling up the strike zone for us,” Foster said. “In years past, his command has limited his success, but he’s had a really good offseason, and for us to have success, Kade will need to be at his best this spring.”
Rollings is coming off a strong freshman season.
“As a freshman last year, Logan led our team in nearly every pitching category,” Foster said. “He stays very composed on the mound, and the moment is never too big for him. He has a three-pitch mix, and does a phenomenal job locating them and giving our team a chance to win.”
The infield lineup will have Kash Burk (first base), Tristan Gold (second base), Timothy Rantz (third base) and Rollings (shortstop). In the outfield, look for Kade Burk (left field), Wyatt Sportsman (centerfield) and Coy Cutbirth (right field). Jackson Carroll will serve in a utility role.
Timothy Rantz, Kash Burk and Cutbirth are the team’s leaders.
Foster on Timothy Rantz: “Tim is a steady presence that runs our team. He is deeply invested in baseball and in the success of everyone around him. Timothy may not always be the most vocal, but he leads through his actions every single day. His work ethic, consistency, and commitment set the standard for the rest of the team. When others see how hard he prepares and competes, it naturally raises everyone’s level.”
Foster on Kash Burk: “He leads by example and is completely bought into his role. Kash’s main focus is simple, he wants to win and will do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. Whether that means sacrificing personal recognition, or supporting teammates, he does it without hesitation. He also does a tremendous job with our younger guys, leading by example and doing his part to help them.”
Foster on Cutbirth: “Coy is our most vocal leader and brings tremendous energy to our program. He is consistent in bringing a positive mindset to our team every single day. It’s easy to be a strong leader when things are going well, but true leadership shows when you’re facing struggles. Coy does an outstanding job of staying positive and leading the right way through both success and adversity. That consistency is huge for our team culture. Like Timothy and Kash, Coy is willing to do whatever it takes to help us be at our best. His energy and voice keep our dugout engaged and our standards high.”
Foster highlighted Kash Burk, Gavin Kildea and Rollings as three players who have shown some of the most improvement on the team.
Foster on Kash Burk: “Kash Burk has made one of the biggest jumps on our team. Defensively, his improvement has been night and day better, he has done an outstanding job developing at first base and has become a reliable presence for us there. Offensively, he has cut his strikeouts in half and is consistently putting the ball in play hard. This fall alone, his batting average jumped over .100 points, which shows the work he has put in. His confidence and overall consistency have really grown. For us to be at our best, he will have to hit in the middle of our lineup. I am excited to see what he does for us.”
Foster on Kildea: “Gavin has also taken a huge step forward. As a freshman, he saw very limited varsity time. Last year, he moved from hitting eighth in the lineup to becoming our leadoff hitter and finished with a .372 batting average, earning second-team all-conference and all-district honors. Behind the plate, his athleticism stands out. He has a very strong arm and does an excellent job managing our pitchers. His development both offensively and defensively has been impressive.”
Foster on Rollings: “Logan has continued to elevate his game as well. After earning all-conference and all-district honors as a freshman while playing a utility role outside of pitching, he has now transitioned into becoming our shortstop. Offensively, he does a great job limiting strikeouts and consistently hitting the ball hard. Defensively, he has continued to improve and grow into that leadership position in the infield. I look for him to have a big year for us.”
This year, Foster wants his team to focus on finishing out games after some late losses last season.
“One area we must improve in to find success is simply winning games — especially finishing them,” Foster said. “Last fall, we lost six games in the final two innings. That shows we have to learn how to play with a lead and close games out. Losses like that can sting for a while, but they also provide valuable lessons. If we can stay composed, execute under pressure, and play a high level of baseball late in games, we have the potential to be a very solid group.”
Foster wants this year’s team to bring energy to everything they do.
“The identity I want for this year’s team is built around energy, passion, and hustle every single day,” Foster said. “I want us to be a group that competes and plays the game the right way. Our energy should be contagious on the field and in the dugout. More importantly, I want this team to be known for playing disciplined, fundamental baseball. That means limiting mental mistakes, executing the routine plays consistently, and understanding situational baseball. If we can combine high energy and passion with strong fundamentals and discipline, we will give ourselves a chance to win anytime we take the field.”
Spokane opens the season on Mar. 20 at Morrisville.
“My overall expectations for this season are very high, as long as we can stay healthy,” Foster said. “This is a talented and experienced group, and I believe we have what it takes to compete at a high level. There are still areas we need to clean up, but I’m confident in our ability to improve as the season goes on. We play a loaded schedule this spring, so we are going to have to earn every win. There won’t be anything given to us. My hope is that each game provides valuable lessons that help us grow. If we continue to learn, adjust, and stay consistent, I expect us to be playing our best baseball by mid-May and putting ourselves in a strong position when it matters most.”
