Bulldogs to stress youth
Published 2:30 pm Monday, March 26, 2018
- S. John Collins/ Baker City HeraldBaker pitchers worked on keeping runners close at first base.
Baker baseball will field a young team — just one senior — this season.
But, that doesn’t mean the Bulldogs are unfamiliar with each other.
“This group has played together through Little League and travel ball,” said Baker coach Tim Smith.
And, Smith added, most of the Bulldogs can play more than one position.
“All of these kids have done a little bit of everything,” Smith said.
Baker can go seven deep on the pitching mound.
Sam McCauley, Spencer Smith, Gavin Curry, Drew Osborn (the Baker senior), Spencer Shirtcliff, Conner Lay and Morgan Bennett all will see time on the mound.
“The kids have worked hard all winter long,” Smith said. “I think it will pay off. Our pitching should be a strength.”
Jackson Rohner and freshman Mason Van Arsdall will share time behind the plate.
Around the infield, Osborn, Shirtcliff and Smith are in the picture at first base.
Smith, Dylan Mastrude and Justin Miller are penciled in at second. Coach Smith said Mastrude and Miller will probably fill the Bulldogs’ utility roles.
McCauley, Dawson Linscott and Smith will see time at shortstop.
Lay and Curry are the frontrunners at third.
Bennett, Rohner, Brendan Golar, Hunter Hill, Linscott and Van Arsdall all will see action in the outfield depending on who is pitching.
The Bulldogs (1-0) traveled to Arizona this week where they will play three games.