Eagle champs aim at 2B league run

St. John/Endicott Eagles, who brought back their first ever B baseball title from the 1B state finals at Parker Field last year, will play in the 2B ranks this year. The Eagles have added seven players from LaCrosse/Washtucna to the lineup, and the total enrollment bumps the club into the 2B bracket.

Coach Rick Winters, who headed the Eagles while serving as SJE superintendent, departed the scene last year and is now athletic director at Southern Virginia.

Key grad off the last year’s title team was pitcher Mason Van Lith. They also lost seniors Dakota Hallenious, Evan and Kyle Raynor.

Kyle Schultheis, assistant under Winters last year, heads the Eagle program this year. Schultheis is a Colton High grad who played junior college ball at Wenatchee.

Tim Stamper of LaCrosse will be assistant coach for the club.

The team will now play under the SJELW designation but will continue to be known as The Eagles.

Saturday, the club opened the season against Grangeville at Airport Park in Lewiston and sustained a five-inning 12-2 loss.

The Eagles had just three hits off Grangeville pitchers Jasper Sabatino who was relieved in the fourth by Cody Keeler. Both are sophomores.

Bryce Bennett had the start for the Eagles with Darcy Stamper and Brandon Bennett, two of the LW recruits, pitching in relief.

Keeler was the hitting star for Grangeville with five RBIs. He twice hit with the bases loaded.

Matt Stubbs doubled for the top Eagle hit. Both Bennetts had the other hits.

Moving into the 2B ranks means the Eagles will be facing DeSales and Waitsburg/Prescott, two baseball powers in the SE ranks, along with their neighbors to the north, Tekoa/Oakesdale/Rosalia.