Bulldogs hoping to 'occupy second base' this season
<p>The Sandpoint senior baseball players, pictured back row, left to right: Iago Zametti, Daniel Thompson, Ryan Schwartz, Jackson Olin, Caleb Nishimoto. Front row: Sam Nitcy, Justin Orr, B.J. Cable and Tyler Howk. The Bulldogs are a senior-laden team, and will lean on the strong class for much of the production this season. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — While Occupy Wall Street may be all the rage in New York City lately, there will be a decidedly different kind of occupation in Sandpoint this spring, as the Bulldog baseball team hopes to employ head coach Chris Young’s prime philosophy this season.
“We need to occupy second base as often as possible,” described Young of the key to the season, referring to a style of small ball, or station to station baseball. “Playing as a team is one thing that will be a must.”
Leading the way will be a core group of seniors boasting plenty of varsity experience, including a handful of starters from last year’s 6-16 squad.
Setting the table for the Bulldogs’ offense will be senior Sam Nitcy, who figures to be one of the main base fillers from the leadoff spot. Senior Jackson Olin will look to continue his torrid hitting from last year, when he batted a robust .518.
“He doesn’t say much, he’s more one of those lead-by-example guys,” said Young of Olin, also praising the intangibles and keen batting eye that Nitcy brings to the table. “Sam’s just a baseball player, there’s no doubt.”
Hitting second for the Bulldogs will be senior three-sport standout Ryan Schwartz. The slick fielding shortstop anchors the infield defense, and is a tough out at the plate.
“He’s a leader on the field,” said Young of Schwartz, who has earned all-league honors in both soccer and basketball already this year. “That kid is doing yeoman work as a person.”
Hitting cleanup for the Bulldogs will be senior Caleb Nishimoto, one of many Bulldogs who worked hard all off-season to increase their core strength. While a key offensive piece, Nishimoto’s prime value to the Bulldogs is as the ace.
Last season he held a prolific Coeur d’Alene offense in check for five innings in one of his starts, and he’ll be counted on to anchor the staff. Young said his ability to locate and keep the ball down make him one of the top pitchers in the region.
Nitcy, Schwartz, junior Nik Feyen and sophomore Chase Rodriguez will round out the pitching staff, and their success will depend on whether they can stay around the dish. Young believes Rodriguez has the potential to be a solid inning eater.
“He throws extremely hard,” said Young, a former college pitcher. “We need to get him to learn more pitches. He needs an off-speed and a curve.”
Junior second baseman Zac Farrell, junior outfielder Justin Puryear and senior Tyler Howk will also be counted on to provide solid at-bats.
Senior Justin Orr will handle the catching duties, benefiting from some off-season work with new varsity assistant coach Brent Witt. Other coaches in the program include Brent Scott, Bill Connolly, Jeremy Conlin and first year JV head coach Ken Oler.
Per usual, the wet spring weather has meant a lot of gym time, which is not a good thing when it comes to baseball. Young is pleased with the work ethic the team has shown under less-than-ideal conditions.
“This is a solid group of kids this year,” said Young, who sacrifices drills one day each week to play some fun games. “We have to have one day when we have fun in here to keep our sanity.”
The Bulldogs open the season today with a doubleheader in Lewiston.