PREP BASEBALL 2016: Underclassmen prominent on Valley nines

WASILLA — Local prep baseball programs have one major thing in common this spring.

“The whole Valley is pretty young,” Wasilla head coach Ken Ottinger said recently.

Like his opposing coaches at Colony, Palmer and Houston, Ottinger has looked to a new group of talent to fill holes in the field and batting order. Ottinger, Wasilla’s first-year skipper, is hoping the program’s new players can help the Warriors defend their Southcentral Conference title and earn another trip to the state tournament.

“With the whole league being young this year, I think we have a really good shot,” Ottinger said.

The Warriors have the luxury of returning one of the top players in the conference, senior Nolan Monaghan. Already an ace on the mound, Ottinger said the left-hander has raised his game in other areas, and has become an all-around threat.

“His hitting has improved immensely. He’s always been a pretty solid pitcher, but his bat’s improved a lot,” Ottinger said.

Monaghan is one of three seniors on the squad, alongside catcher Jeffrey Forster and shortstop Ryan Perkins. Junior third baseman Hank Boyer is another key veteran.

Junior Koby Burns is a newcomer to the program, and has already provided a boost in the outfield and on the pitching staff, Ottinger said. The Warriors also have a talented sophomore class, Ottinger said, that is expected to be key in Wasilla’s pursuit of another region title. Among the sophomore starters are outfielder Jimmy Arend, second baseman Taylon Ottinger and first baseman Ben Werner.

“I definitely have the pieces,” Ottinger said.

As Wasilla continues to work to find the right combination of talent in the batting order, Ottinger said the Warriors have stood out in other areas.

“Our biggest strengths right now are pitching and defense. Our pitching staff is huge,” Ottinger said.

Colony Knights

The Colony baseball program was probably hit the hardest by graduation last year.

“We’re a very, very young team,” Colony head coach Jordan Chadwell said. “It’s a different experience than the last few years for us.”

Senior Cooper McLaughlin is the veteran on the squad.

“The rest are mostly underclassmen,” Chadwell said. “It’s a different group than we’ve had for the last few years.”

McLaughlin will man first base and pitch for the Knights, including shouldering the bulk of the leadership responsibilities.

“He’s a real asset. Most of the kids don’t have the experience that he has yet,” Chadwell said.

Despite the abundance of youth, Chadwell has been pleased with the progress.

“It’s coming along pretty quickly,” Chadwell said.

Shortstop Kolten Ketchum, catcher and third baseman Cole Doss and outfielder Joe Ryan are among the sophomores who are stepping in to fill big roles. Doss and Ryan will also pitch, Chadwell said. Chadwell said he’s also excited about the freshman in the program.

Palmer Moose

Palmer head coach Dave Combs has a few more veterans to work with, but like his counterparts, Combs is also looking to young players to fill big roles.

The Moose are led by senior standout Jarred Yanez, who leads off the batting order and anchors the infield at shortstop. Austin Reeder has played just about everywhere for the Moose and helps on the mound. Combs said senior Peyton Garrettson has stood out for the Moose so far this season. Senior Damien Bailey, in his first full-year on varsity, has done well on the mound and in the outfield, Combs said.

Combs also noted freshman Cade Holland, who has stepped up and used his versatility to help the Moose.

Overall, Combs said Palmer is steadily getting better.

“I’m interested to see how the team does when we get into the games that really count,” Combs said.

Houston Hawks

The Houston Hawks, once again, sport a young team. Last year Houston had only three seniors on the roster. This year, the Hawks have only one. Houston was also dealt with the loss of one of its leaders, Kendell Ruta, who suffered an injury in basketball that will force him to miss the baseball season.

But the Hawks have a reason to be excited.

Houston has 31 players in the baseball program, a vast improvement from recent seasons.

“In the past, we’d have 14 to 16 kids. Last year we had 21,” Houston head coach Scott Ruta said. “The bright spot for us, other than one senior, all these guys are coming back next year.”

Isaac Smolden and Reed Graham are among Houston’s top veterans in 2016. Smolden plays centerfield. Graham can be used at first, third and on the mound. The Hawks also have a newcomer, Kolby Taylor, a shortstop and pitcher, who is helping fill the void left by the loss of Kendell Ruta.

Houston’s roster also received a boost from a handful of Redington students. The Valley’s newest high school does not field a baseball team, and thanks to the Alaska Schools Activities Association’s co-op rule, Redington athletes interested in baseball can compete with the program at the closest school, which is Houston.

Middle infielder Jacob Elliott and catcher Sam Reed are among the Redington students helping the Hawks.

Overall, Ruta is pleased with a group that is growing and willing to work hard.

“We’re pretty young, but they’re coming into their own,” Ruta said. “They’re doing what they need to do. We’re going to take our lumps, but we’re going to dish some out too.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.