Key players

Jared Sires OF/P - Sires was First Team All League last season, and he definitely earned that honor. He hit .458 with a .573 On Base Percentage, which are astonishing numbers for a sophomore. He’s also returning as one of East Valley’s top pitchers.

Jacob Chanagala SS/2B/P - Had a very solid season last year, garnering a .339 On Base Percentage and starting almost every game on the infield. Changala’s work on the mound is going to be as important as anything else he does this season. 

Nate Uriostegui SS/2B/P - Last year Uriostegui had a quality 0.94 ERA across 22 innings. He’ll be counted on to be a highly productive pitcher once again. Uriostegui will likely hit at the top of the order, and cross the plate 20+ times.

Overview

When you think of the top teams in CWAC Baseball, there are three clear front-runners in Ellensburg, Selah, and of course East Valley.

Over the last three years, it’s primarily been Selah and Ellensburg competing for the title in the end, although the Red Devils are always right there.

The goal for this years East Valley team has to be getting over the hump and clinching that CWAC Crown.

The good news for them is they don’t have any glaring holes on their roster, and this includes the pitching staff.

HIghlighting the rotation is going to be the trio of Jared Sires, Nate Uriostegui, and Jacob Changala.

Changala and Sires are more power pitcher types that like to blow past hitters. Uriostegui is much more finesse and relies on his defense to get outs.  

A few relief pitchers to look out for would be senior’s Connor Batali and Coden Skahan, and junior Slade Pelkey.

Skahan and Pelkey are new players to the Red Devils, having transferred from Davis and Eisenhower, respectively. Both have limited varsity experience, but they’ll have opportunities to prove themselves early.

With the departure of workhorse catcher Max Hagler, his replacement could actually be his younger brother Spiridon Hagler. At the plate, he’s a contact hitter that should get on base frequently.  

Lining up as the double play combo for East Valley is going to be a mixture of Nate Uriostegui, Jacob Changala, and Connor Batali.  

Batali primarily played third base last year, but he can fill in at either middle infield spot whenever Chanagala or Uriostegui is pitching.

Batali had a .333 On Base Percentage across 45 plate appearances last year.

Also worth looking out for on the infield is freshman Aiden Estill. He’s already a starter at quarterback and guard in basketball, so he knows how to handle the varsity limelight.

Returning at first base is going to be an All Leaguer in Broch Albrecht. He’s more naturally a middle infielder, but he’s also more than willing to fill East Valley’s need at first base.

Another year of hitting .300 with plenty of RBI is projected out of Albrecht.

Lining the outfield is junior Jared Sires in right field, sophomore Dillan Morrow in centerfield, and senior Dawson Waterbury in left field.

Also rotating in the outfield are veterans like Ethan Sanderson, Eddie Juarez, and Moses Alexander. 

When you’re talking a quick and rangy center fielder, that’s exactly what Morrow is. Sires is also a speedy outfielder with a good arm to third and home plate. Waterbury seems poised for a breakout campaign in his senior year.

Projection

The Red Devils have seen first round playoff exits the last couple seasons, and that doesn’t sit well for a program of this caliber. They might not have flashy Division I players like Ellensburg or Selah, but this team has as much depth as any of those clubs. As long as they’re pitching can take the next step, and a couple new bats emerge, this team can be a state contender.

Key games

Ellensburg 4/6

Prosser 4/16

Selah 4/20

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