Baker baseball preview

Baker lost that game 8-6 to place second in the state, again the highest the Bulldogs had ever finished.

That adds a little more pressure on this year’s Bulldogs. You see, each of the past two seasons the previous year’s runnerup has gone on to win the title the following year. That makes it Baker’s year.

Baker coach Dan Blankenship said the Bulldogs won’t put any additional pressure on themselves. One of the reasons for that is that most of the players have been in the state championships in at least one sport most of their high school careers.

“Most of these kids have been in the program a long time together,” Blankenship said.

“You look at the last two or three years, all of these kids have been to the state playoffs in baseball, football, basketball. That’s where we expect to be.

“That success makes it easier for them to make the commitment to hard work,” said the Baker coach who was named the Greater Oregon League coach of the year last season.

Another key to this year’s baseball success should be the fact that the Bulldogs return players at every position that saw playing time a year ago.

Baker lost four seniors to graduation — two are playing college baseball — but the nucleus of the team that set a school record with a 25-4 record returns.

Leading that group are seniors Derek Blankenship, Dekker Smith, Matt Gorrell and Trace Richardson.

“All four were valuable in our playoff run last year,” Coach Blankenship said. “All of them have been involved in our program for four years.”

Shortstop Derek Blankenship, who has earned All-American, all-state, and all-Greater Oregon League honors in the past 12 months, anchors a veteran infield that also returns Smith at first base, Ty Everson at second, and Will Barr at third. Smith earned first-team all-GOL utility honors last year, and Everson second-team infield honors.

Infield depth will be provided by Coleman Lay, Trevor Freese, Jesse Brown and Dustin Hull.

The outfield, from left to right, returns Steven Talbot in left, and Richardson in center. Right field will be manned by one of Justin Durflinger, Brown, Freese, Kyle Ritch or James Sheperd. All but the latter two saw action a year ago.

Richardson was a first-team all-GOL pick last year.

Gorrell, who split time behind the plate with Grant Marcum a year ago, returns at catcher. Brown and Colten Richards provide depth.

Eight players will see time on the mound for the Bulldogs.

Blankenship, Gorrell, Smith, Durflinger, Lay, Barr, Everson and Hull are listed as hurlers. All are right-handed.

“Not a lefty in sight,” chuckled Coach Blankenship.

“We need to have a couple of these guys step forward and become our top two guys for league games,” Blankenship said. “Then, hopefully, we can use Derek as our closer like we did last year.

“Athleticism will stand out with this team,” the Baker coach said. “These are strong kids, quick kids. They know how to compete well. We’ll be solid in all areas.”

Blankenship said another key that has put the Bulldogs ahead of past years is that the team has been able to practice outside from Day 1.

“We’ve been on the field every day, and that’s unusual,” Blankenship said.

And, the well won’t run dry soon.

“We have a ton of sophomores and freshmen out. It’s good nucleus. We have some good arms, and these kids like to play baseball,” he said.

“We’ve got some work to do, but we have high expectations.”

Blankenship said the GOL will field no weak teams. Baker will have to play well to retain its league title.

“I think the league will be tougher,” he said. “Ontario, La Grande and Mac-Hi should all be better than a year ago. There will be no cake walks in baseball this year.”

Baker opens its season Saturday with a doubleheader at Bishop Kelly, Idaho.