Medical Lake baseball plans to buck poll picking them last

On paper, and that's about all Medical Lake head baseball coach Kerry Kelly has to go by, his Cardinals will not end up as those voting in a media poll which tabbed them: dead last the Northeast A League.

And as usual, when a team is dissed, they use it as motivation.

"That is absolutely unbelievable in my book based on our history and the success our program has had," Kelly said. "We're definitely using that as some motivation," he added.

Medical Lake comes off a 17-5 season in 2016 and a first-round state playoff loss, 3-2 to Hoquiam. But that was with some stellar seniors like Cory Wagner and Brayden Hale leading the way.

Now the Cardinals are very fresh faced with four seniors and a bunch of sophomores expected to fill the majority of starting spots. If, that is, they can get to a field that is playable.

"The only reason we've been on the field is to drain water," Kelly said. "We have zero practice time."

It's been frustrating from the coaching staff to every boy in the program, Kelly said. Medical Lake's lone game was a contest that had been scheduled, rescheduled and moved again to March 25 and was a 5-4 nonleague loss at Cheney.

Kyle Thompson, Phil Murray, Dylan Vercoe and Tyler Edison are the only seniors in the lineup.

Murray is a returning two-year player who will catch. "He is one of our top hitters, he might hit three or four in the lineup," Kelly said.

Thompson is not much of a household name as a pitcher due to his playing behind Wagner and Hale. "There's not a lot of innings logged in for him," Kelly said.

"He had a great, great summer," Kelly said of Thompson's duty in American Legion baseball, adding while his role will primarily be that of a pitcher, first base is an option.

Edison is one of those who benefitted from American Legion ball Kelly said. "He's gained a lot of confidence, he's a leader, he's done a great job getting ready."

The Cardinals' starting third baseman in 2016 was Vercoe. "He will see a lot of mound time as well," Kelly said, and may move from third to shortstop this season.

Being able to play where and when needed is the basis of the Medical Lake program.

"Whether you're an infielder or an outfielder, you get work in the infield, you get work in the outfield," Kelly explained. "Because there's that day I'm going to walk out there and make five moves to get the right pitching matchup," he added.

The rest of the starters, for now at least, are sophomores.

In the rotating infield is a three-sport athlete, Drew Hostetter. "Last year he did a little bit of everything for us," Kelly said. "(Hostetter will be) very much in the role as Dylan Vercoe for us, he'll play some short(stop), possibly some third and pitching. Based on where the other guys are, he'll fill in."

As for the outfield, it will likely have three more sophomores covering that vast real estate.

Included is Sam Gollehon who will play right field and may see time at third base. "He may pitch a little bit," Kelly said. "We will see if summer ball translates into playing at the varsity level."

Grant Vercoe is slotted in center. The younger brother of Dylan possesses a lot of great outfielding skills, Kelly said. "If he can figure it out at the plate, be consistent, and utilize his speed, he may be at the top of the lineup (which has yet to be determined)," he added.

At this point, left field belongs to Trevor Hurt-Moran, Kelly said. "I'd have to say, out of all of these freshmen kids we looked at - knowing that we had the potential to have a pretty young team this year - he has shown me a lot," he added.

Sophomores will also vie for first base in Seth Mayer and Nick Thompson.

And DeVonte Ratzlaff, a senior, is getting his first real taste of varsity.

"He's a great kid, I don't know what his role is yet," Kelly said. What Kelly does know is that Ratzlaff's work ethic will hopefully spark his team when that is needed.

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.