Lakeside off to a slow start, not panicking

Senior proms, all-star feeder games, graduation practices. All these and more have prevented the Lakeside Senior Legion baseball team from fielding a complete roster early in this summer season. As a result, the group of top players from Newport, Issaquah and Skyline high schools got off to an 0-6 start before picking up their first wins Monday night. But nobody's hitting the panic button yet. "We're not worried about it," head coach Rob Reese said, noting his team only had nine players for one of its early games. "This time of year you're just hoping to have enough guys to play your schedule." According to Reese, this year's team is very experienced at specific spots.

By Kevin Endejan • June 16, 2010 5:18 pm
Newport's Jared Fisher pitches for Lakeside last week. The Senior Legion team has started the season 2-6.
Newport's Jared Fisher pitches for Lakeside last week. The Senior Legion team has started the season 2-6.

Senior proms, all-star feeder games, graduation practices.

All these and more have prevented the Lakeside Senior Legion baseball team from fielding a complete roster early in this summer season.

As a result, the group of top players from Newport, Issaquah and Skyline high schools got off to an 0-6 start before picking up their first wins Monday night.

But nobody’s hitting the panic button yet.

“We’re not worried about it,” head coach Rob Reese said, noting his team only had nine players for one of its early games. “This time of year you’re just hoping to have enough guys to play your schedule.”

According to Reese, this year’s team is very experienced at specific spots.

“We’re really deep in the outfield and on the pitching mound,” he said. “We’ve got some holes to fill on the infield. We have some younger guys who will take some time to develop.”

Newport has 10 players on the roster, including returning pitchers Cole Wiper and Jared Fisher and returning outfielder Victor King. Daniel Spray, Dan Altchech, Nick Clifford, Kyle Goemmer, Joey Gale and Nate Anderson also join the roster.

Issaquah outfielder Spencer Rogers, first baseman Mike Paulson, pitcher Shane Yarnell, pitcher Matt Houser and pitcher Ethan Kalin all return, along with newcomers Marcus Gaan, Jake Bakamus and Brandon Mahovlich.

Skyline has four players on the roster, including pitchers Adrian Sampson, Connor Lawhead, and outfielders Sean Penberthy and Mikey Smith.

Lakeside is coming off a 36-14-1 season in 2009 ‚one that left the club just two wins shy of a trip to the American Legion World Series.

And, with so many key components back, there’s no question expectations are again soaring high in 2010.

“They’re always high for this team,” Reese said.

In the Win Column

After suffering losses in its first six games, the Lakeside Senior Legion baseball team moved into the win column Monday night.

Lakeside defeated Garfield Legion 6-0 and 11-1 in a doubleheader at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue.

Spencer Rogers picked up the victory in the second game, recording nine of 15 outs via strikeout. He allowed just one run over five innings.

Mike Paulson was 2-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and three RBI, and Mikey Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored.

Stats were unavailable from the first game of the doubleheader.

Lakeside, which has been without a large chunk of its roster over the first two weeks of the season for various reasons, dropped a doubleheader to Portland Baseball on Saturday, 7-4 and 8-2.

The team plays Chaffey Baseball tonight and will travel to Garfield for a doubleheader tomorrow. The team will play doubleheaders Friday and Saturday against Bellevue Honda and Bellevue Legion, respectively.