Baker preps for Douglas

That loss has been a motivator for the Bulldogs this season.

“That game left a sour taste in our mouths,” said Baker coach Dan Blankenship.

“We’ve reminded the kids of that Astoria memory all season.”

Baker (22-3) won the Greater Oregon League championship this season, clinching a first-round bye in the playoffs as well. The Bulldogs open post-season play Tuesday with a 4:30 p.m. contest against the Douglas Trojans (16-10) at the Baker Sports Complex.

“That’s an advantage we have over last year being a No. 1 seed, getting to play in our own yard,” Blankenship said. “We’ve played well here.”

In fact, the Bulldogs are 15-1 on their home turf this season.

“We just have to keep doing what we’ve done all year,” the Baker coach said. “Play good defense, and throw strikes. If we can do that we can create a lot of outs for ourselves.

“And the boys have hit the ball well. If the boys continue to do that we’ll win a lot of games.”

Baker has averaged nearly 10 runs a game.

Blankenship plans to use mostly the same lineup he has used all season despite having to mix and match players at times due to injuries and illness.

Catcher Grant Marcum (2 homers, 10 RBIs) will lead off. Cole Brown (3 HR, 23 RBI) will bat second and pitch.

Derek Blankenship (3 HR, 36 RBI) will hit third and play shortstop. He will be followed by first baseman Dekker Smith (7 HR, 32 RBI).

Jordan Harlow (6 HR, 44 RBI) will bat fifth and play second base. Trace Richardson (6 HR, 30 RBI) bats sixth in center field. Jon Woolard (1 HR, 12RBI) bats seventh in right field.

Will Barr (1 HR, 10 RBI) plays third base and bats eighth. The ninth slot will be either Alex Clark, Stephen Talbot or Coleman Lay.

“We just have to continue to modify and refine things,” Coach Blankenship said.

“Cole Brown (5-3) will start on the mound for us, and Derek (Blankenship) (3-0, 1 save) will pitch some too.

“We’ve just got to win them one at a time. There’s no tomorrow now,” he said.

Douglas is Far West runnerup

Douglas enters Tuesday’s game on a two-game losing streak.

“I understand they’re a pretty good baseball club,” Blankenship said. “People tell me they’re well coached.”

Blankenship said he has seen the Trojans play three times this season, all losses.

Junior right-hander Sky Woods (8-2) is expected to start on the mound against the Bulldogs.

“I had heard it would be either Woods or Bryson Norton,” Blankenship said.

The Baker coach said the Trojans have average team speed, and can hit the ball well.

Shortstop Jered Stoffal is one of their better hitters, he said.