Anacortes High School Baseball Preview

Anacortes Second Basemen Corey Campbell (#20) leads an Anacortes squad poised to make a run at the state championship photo courtesy Skagit Valley Herald

(To watch the baseball preview video, click here)

Returners: Sr. Corey Campbell, Sr. Jackson Kirkpatrick, Sr. Preston Madden, Sr. Mark Medalia, Sr. Shane Hardesty, Sr. Tyler Hayes, Sr. Jonah Richards, Jr. Cody Culp, Jr. Faris Diemert, Jr. Trevor Monroe, Jr. Marcus Anstensen, So. A.J. Yost, So. Billy King, So. Wesley Lowe
Key Newcomers: So. Tanner McLaughlin, Jr. Cody Phipps

Spirits are high and expectations are soaring for this year’s Anacortes High School baseball team. The Hawks finished each of the past two seasons one game short of a state birth, but with 14 returning letter winners, head coach Pat Swapp thinks this could be his team’s year to shine.
“We’ve got 14 kids returning to our varsity that lettered last year,” said Swapp. “I’m hoping all three (Varsity, JV, and freshmen) of our teams can have successful years.”
The Seahawks are deep in the middle, returning catcher Mark Medalia, pitching ace Cody Culp, second baseman Corey Campbell, center fielder Preston Madden, and converted shortstop Jackson Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick becomes the first Anacortes player not named Darling to start at the position in five years. The position’s in good hand, though, as Kirkpatrick’s already earned all-state accolades during both the football and basketball seasons.
“We’re going to have outstanding athletes in the middle of the infield,” said Swapp, noting the athleticism of mutli-sport Kirkpatrick, Medalia, and Madden, among others. “We’re so blessed to have these outstanding athletes.”
The Seahawks open the season Tue. March 15, at home against Blaine. First pitch is set for 4:00 pm. Listen to the broadcast live on A-M 1340 or online at 1340TheWhale.com. Visit the Whale Homepage for the complete spring broadcast schedule, visit the whale homepage.

Luke's Starting 9

Here’s my take on the Seahawks opening day roster. Using information from both this and last year’s teams, I’ve concocted my own opening day roster. (Editor’s Note: These rosters in no way reflect the coaching staff’s true views or opinions). The Hawks are likely to bat their middle infielders one-two, a combination that led to several first inning runs last season.
Sophomore Billy King’s sweet stroke is too clean to put anywhere else in the lineup. He may not start the season batting third, but even money says that’s where he’ll finish the year.
Look for Slugger Mark Medalia to cut down on his strikeouts this season as he works to compact his swing.
With Cody Culp on the mound, look for the Hawks to DH by committee, with sophomore Wesley Lowe getting the first knock. Culp will man right field when not on the mound, but that opens up an every-other-day position for sophomore A.J. Yost.
The Hawks will likely put feisty hitters Ty Hayes and Preston Madden at the end of the lineup; they’re on-base machines whose sole job will be to get on base for the big hitters at the top of the lineup.
The biggest spring question mark remains at third base, a position Kirkpatrick manned last season. Diemert is likely to split time with fellow junior Trevor Monroe, giving coach Swapp plenty of options around the horn. Another player likely to see time is senior Shane Hardesty, although he’s more suited to relieve Campbell at second.
Jonah Richards gives you a solid arm off the bench, and don’t be surprised if he develops into the number two starter, or even the team’s unofficial closer.

1) Corey Campbell 2B
2) Jackson Kirkpatrick SS
3) Billy King 1B
4) Mark Medalia C
5) Cody Culp P DH—Wesley Lowe
6) A.J. Yost RF
7) Faris Diemert 3B
8) Tyler Hayes LF
9) Preston Madden CF

Bench—Trevor Monroe INF, Marcus Anstenson INF, Shane Hardesty INF, Tanner McLaughlin INF, Cody Phipps U
Bullpen—Jonah Richards

Disagree? Leave a comment or email luke at ltaylor@1340thewhale.com