Bulldogs set to kick off 2008 baseball season

SANDPOINT - If their season-opening trip to Lewiston was any indication, it could be a special year for the 2008 Sandpoint baseball team, which hopes to improve on a fourth place finish at state last year.

Having not stepped on a baseball diamond prior to last weekend, the Bulldogs showed surprisingly little rust in taking down two 5A teams from the Boise area. Much of that can be chalked up to experience, which the Bulldogs have in spades as they feature seven returning varsity starters.

Doug Semones replaces Mike Givens as head coach this year, looking to continue raising the bar after two stellar seasons with Givens at the helm. Semones, who was once an assistant football coach at the University of Hawaii and is currently Sandpoint's defensive coordinator, was an assistant under Givens last year, so the coaching transition should go smoothly. He credits assistants Rick Klontz and Chris Young as huge assets.

Senior shortstop and pitcher Cory Hawkins, who after breaking the season home run record for Sandpoint as a junior has drawn interest from college scouts, will be counted on as the staff ace and primary power threat in a balanced batting order.

“He throws hard with a good curve,” said Semones of Hawkins, who has arguably the liveliest bat in the IEL. “Once he gets his stroke going, he's a tough out at the plate.”

Senior catcher Cody Reichart returns to handle the pitching staff and will hit cleanup behind Hawkins. With first baseman Cole Tonnemacher, second baseman Ben Fisher and third baseman Woody Hawkins, the Bulldogs boast one of the strongest infields in North Idaho.

Jake Semones, Ryan Armbruster, Chris Strickley and Joel Cramer will share time in the outfield. Each can handle a bat, giving the Bulldogs no real holes in the batting order from 1-9.

Last year the Bulldogs felt like they settled for fourth at state, an indication that the bar of expectations has been raised after the team's first state title in 2006. With a wealth of returning experience, Semones expects this team to continue with the same bare bones philosophy which has worked so well lately.

“We'll compete every inning and try to play fundamental baseball,” said Semones. “Pitchers throwing strikes and the infield not making a lot of errors.”