Final League Prediction

I've am so pumped for league play! There's never been the opportunity for four teams to win the title, but there definitely is this year, maybe even five.

Four teams have already established a more than solid ace.... Hitters have gotten a lot more aggressive throughout the league. It's tough to find more than one hitter on a team who looks like they should be DH'd for.

Coaching is outstanding.... pitch calling, small ball, obviously a ton of improvement in the infields. No more games as a fan writhing in torture and feeling sorry for a club.

But you don't want the "They are all so close" prediction, so here we go:

Churchill and North Eugene should compete for the title.

League Champ: Churchill
I'm sticking with them even though they are 2-2-1 in non league. The opponents were tough.
What I like:
The Lancers sport 13 seniors with experience - all leaguers Birch, Kiesse, Jorgy and Straka.
Spencer Jorgensen on the mound with plenty of other pitchers, Kiesse, Straka, Birch, Rheuban.
Brad Birch at the plate with a lot more help in front and behind him this year.
It's that smooth Churchill infield once again.

2nd Place North Eugene
Most years there are two teams who are so far above the rest, the two coaches only have to concentrate on their head to head match-ups to make sure they own the tie breaker. Definitely not that way this year. But I believe if North wins their first three league games, coach Nicholsen will then start thinking about the Churchill series a little more like a race for the number one seed. Problem is North has to get by Thurston in the first league game and then travel to Springfield before they play Churchill
What I like:
Andrew Moore as the staff ace with lots of backup on the mound.
The Highlander swagger at the plate is coming back. Delaney, Moore, Mills, Harpole, Ferrenburg, DeHaven and Crum were the 1-7 batters against Marist's Zach Brandon. Erik Long was used at the nine spot in the Marist game. Don't let these Highlanders get their bats going.
The almost boring fantastic Highander infield D. A double play on a "safety" squeeze attempt by Marist. Please.

Third will be a fight between Springfield and Thurston - A baseball war in Springfield.

3rd Thurston
How do you lose your entire all world team and come out of the blocks 6-3 in non league? Hats off to coach Dube and his staff. It's tempting to place the Colts higher, but I think the inexperience will lead to some occasional unexpected losses.
What I like:
The combo of starter and reliever Phinner & Loof as named by the Albany Democrat Herald. Actually, they would be Dawson Phinney and Jordan Loos. I didn't see junior Tyler Johnson pitch in pre league. Frosh Kyle Watson may become one of the many potential fantastic frosh in the MWL this year.
The Thurston infield D. Phinney will stay in the games long enough and keep the ball in the park for the great Colt D
The Colt bats. Thurston was on fire until the last two games when they scored a combined one run. I'm betting you'll see a mixture of good days and bad days at the plate, especially as they go through the first two rounds of league play. But there will be a steady improvement throughout. During week one, the order in the SE game was Wright, Jordy Smith, Havens and Jarren Goddard in the first four slots. Tyler Johnson, Watson, Loos, Phinney and Dumilieu. I'm curious to see what the league line up will be - lots of potential here.


4th Springfield
Has to be the most improved team over the last two years. Kudos to Erik Lansdon and his staff. I am impressed at how consistent the infielders have become. And I can't believe the change at the plate. Two years ago, I wondered where the Millers learned to hit before going to high school. Last year was better, four or five guys looked like hitters. Now almost every man is aggressive, staying back and exploding on the ball.
What I like:
Kameron Bates as staff ace and Thomas Hubbard in relief. Frosh Malik Evans on the mound!
The Millers much improved offense. They are putting the bat on the ball. Alejandro Camaenra's lead off speed, Ollie J in the two spot, Bates batting 3, Hubbard, Whitney and Dudley.
The Miller attitude - loose, scrappy, aggressive, more focused - are they focused enough to finish in the top 3? They have the talent.

5th Willamette
Hard to call Willamette as their pitching staff is coming on line a little late. But I did see two wins over Junction City, 9-1, 4-1 last Saturday. Everyone knows Willamette can hit and play good D.
What I like:
Wolverine hitters: Junior Tony Svensson had a day at the plate last Saturday. All Stater Tyler Woodke is Mr. Reliable with power in the alleys. Jordan Bowman and Dustin Leber led off one - two last Saturday. Only one K in 14 at bats between them, so the Wolverines should be setting the table for Woodke and Taylor Hughes. Logan Wright and Tyler Hoskins looked good in the six and seven slots.
Soph Trent Waggoner on the mound. Hughes and Woodke need good years on the mound for a Willamette playoff run.
Frosh shortstop Scott Kuvass and the Willamette D. Kuvass turned some nice DP's last week.

Although I have them in 5th, this Willamette group has the talent to compete for the title. Will everything fall into place starting next Wednesday?

6th Marshfield
The only team I haven't seen. So far in non-league the Pirates are 4-3-1. They've already won more games than all of last year.
What I like:
The great kids in the senior class. I was in Coos Bay when these guys were frosh. 'Einstein' Elliot Aurdahl, Ryan Campbell, Josh Perkins and Cody Dew. An Aurdahl - Campbell combination is likely to pitch their way past a couple of title contenders, knocking some team down a seed or two.
The D. The Pirates are keeping the score down. If they can continue to reduce the number of walks, the opponents will find the going tough. Junior Kane Rowley on the mound if his arm is okay.
The direction of the program. Facilities improvements, youth programs in place, a large number of frosh turning out.

That's it. My final prediction - yes it's the same as the early bird special in the winter.

You can comment on this blog, or email me with comments/corrections/additions at mwlnow@yahoo.com