Open slots drop odds for ‘string’ repeat

With a lot of veteran talent departing the roster with diplomas last June, Colfax baseball Coach Mike Parrish doesn’t expect a repeat of the 2010 string for the upcoming season.

Parrish and crew ran a string of 25 wins last year all the way to the state title game against Seattle Lutheran on the Yakima Valley CC field. They bowed in the title game to the Seattle club to finish in second place with a 25-1 record.

Veterans graduating off the 2010 team were Will Hatley, Joe Johnson, Brandon Hoadley, Tanner Gay, Tyler Morse, Dustin Huber and Sam Mellor.

That’s a lot of experience and a lot of batting power. Johnson and Hatley, who played summer ball with the Pullman Patriots, are playing in the junior college ranks this spring. Hatley is at Big Ben in Moses Lake and Johnson is at Spokane Falls.

“Right now, I’m just hoping our injured players recover and the rain stops,” Parrish commented.

The Bulldogs were rained out of a jamboree start at Asotin last week, but hope to get in a season opener at Asotin Wednesday.

Starting his 15th season as head coach, Parrish will have Tyler McNannay and Alex Teade back on the mound this year as seniors. JJ Robinson, a junior; Brady Ellis, sophomore, and Patrick Jacobs, a freshman will be in the pitching ranks this year.

Hoadley and Huber were other parts of the pitching lineup last year. Kellen Morgan, also a senior, will return as catcher, although right now he is sidelined with a late basketball injury. Sophomore Matt St. Mary will also be at catcher.

Jacobs and Dayton Maltone could be at first base where Morse did business last year. Ellis and Brock Morton will be at second where Hatley kept shop last year, and Robinson and McNannay will work stints at shortstop.

Robinson right now is sidelined with an ankle injury, and Cody Evans, an outfielder, is recovering from a wrestling injury.

John Mellor, a sophomore, and Brandon Heiser, senior, will be at third.

Outfielders will include Teade and McNannay when they are not pitching, Lonnie Ellis and Joel Morgan, also seniors; Connor Appel and Dillon Aeschliman, juniors; Christopher Appel, sophomore and Austin Getz, freshman.