Getting to know the baseball team

Ethan Simshauser, junior, is a pitcher and outfielder. He has been playing for over ten years and appreciates the social aspect of the game.  “I love forming relationships with all these guys,” Simhauser said. “They're my best friends.”  For his goals, he is focused on assisting the team in accomplishing another state title and finding success one game at a time.  “[We want to] wi...

Blake Crawford, junior, is an upcoming influence as a pitcher for the team. He has been playing for most of his life.  “I was young, like two years old,” Crawford said.  Crawford has continued to play because of his passion for the game and for the friends he has made through the sport.  “I love the game,” Crawford said. “I always thought it was fun. I have a lot of friends to ...

As a senior, Max Allen has one goal going into his final season— win state again. Following a victorious 2022 season, Allen hopes to improve as a pitcher.  “I [want] to be able to contribute to the team,” Allen said. “In the innings [where] I get to pitch [I want] to do well enough to where we can win again.” Allen sees developing his own skills as a personal focus for the season, alongside ...

From the start, Drew Talavs, senior, knew pitching was his calling.  “I've always been able to throw a little harder than the average person,” Talavs said. “I just worked hard on my arm and [the ability] to throw strikes and that was what I stuck with.”  Sticking with pitching led to two culminating points in Talavs’ high school baseball career— committing to Oregon State Universi...

Drew Ness, senior, has been playing baseball for as long as he can remember. Now on the varsity stage, baseball is striving to get back to the state championship they won the previous year. Ness has a variety of reasons why he has continued playing baseball, including the social aspect.  “[I have] camaraderie with friends, my friends have been made here,” Ness said.  A substantial influ...

Since he was five, playing shortstop has been a constant in the life of Danny Wideman, sophomore.  “I remember playing [shortstop] most of my life,” Wideman said. “Shortstop or centerfield, but coaches said I was usually the most athletic on the field so I continued to play shortstop. I’m a pretty chill guy off the field but on the field I’m kind of loud.”   Last season, Wideman st...

For last year’s playoffs, outfielder Baron Naone, sophomore, had the chance to practice with the title winning team. Kace Naone, class of 2022 alum, was on last year’s team. Kace played shortstop for the team and started in the state final. Naone found the opportunity to play with Kace, a special moment for them as brothers.  “I’ve always wanted to play with them and finally got to,”...

After winning a state championship as a sophomore, Ryan Vandenbrink, junior, still has two more years of high school baseball to add to his accolades. Vandenbrink has been the starting catcher on varsity since his freshman year, and is looking to continue his success. “Back to back state championships sounds really good to me,” Vandenbrink said. “I think that’s the main focus this year....

Devin Martin, junior,  recently joined the varsity team and is eager to get to work and improve his pitching and outfield abilities. However, Martin has to wait in line to see the mound but he believes his time will come.  “I hope to work my way up,” Martin said. “I want to work on my pitching and work on how well I can throw strikes.”  When Martin gets his opportunity to throw, his ...

Hitting, pitching, and throwing with his right hand, Gabe Howard, junior, primarily plays as a pitcher or an outfielder. He was a part of last year’s state championship winning team and has played on varsity since his freshman year. “I enjoy just being out,” Howard said. “The baseball field gives a lot of good vibes and being with the guys, it’s always a good time hanging around them.”...

In his first year on varsity, Ryan Holmes, sophomore, is joining a well established team looking to continue its success. The majority of the championship winning team has returned for this season, with just a few seniors graduating at the end of last season. “It’s my first year on varsity,” Holmes said. “So I’m trying to hopefully get playing time and get my first baseball ring.” Ho...

Baseball has been a constant in Mitchell Rowe’s, junior, life since he was young. While it started as a point of connection with his dad, it soon became a passion he carried into high school.  “My dad got me into [baseball] so it was always just kind of part of my life,” Rowe said.  Last year, Rowe was a swinger for the state championship team and hopes to contribute to a second champ...

As a returning senior, Jake Holmes helped the 2022 season team have a successful season, which resulted in a state championship. Holmes credits the success of the team to their mentality and overall chemistry as a group.  “In the big time games that’s [trust] really the number one most important thing,” Holmes said. “You look to your left and right and just know that the dudes out the...

Second baseman Tyson Smith, senior, foresees back-to-back championship victories for the varsity baseball team. As a contributing member of last year’s winning team, Smith hopes that this year’s team can accomplish what last year’s did. “[The goal is to] do it again,” Smith said. “It’s kind of everybody’s goal.” On a personal level, Smith’s goals reflect the hope of another victorious season....