It isn’t a common occurrence that a team can be both relatively young and experienced, but after a couple of seasons with underclassmen claiming a significant portion of the roster, Sequim’s baseball team comes into 2024 in just that position.

The Wolves look to capitalize on last year’s 11-win team — after tallying four wins total the previous two seasons — with a club loaded with experienced juniors and sophomores, and just one senior: veteran catcher Ayden Holland.

“There’s a real positive energy,” SHS coach Dave Ditlefsen said at a preseason practice.

“They’ve got a bit of that swagger.”

It helps, he said that, a bulk (nine) of the 12 varsity players have pitching experience.

Leading the way is junior Ethan Staples. “He’s been looking dynamic on the mound,” Ditlefsen said of Staples.

Also expected to get significant time throwing for the Wolves are juniors Bryant Laboy and Brayden White, and sophomores Lincoln Bear, Devyn Dearninger and Zeke Schmadeke.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell Sequim pitcher Zeke Schmadeke, right, gets the ball from third baseman Devyn Dearinger following an out in an April 2023 match-up with Port Angeles. Schmadeke was an all-Olympic League second team player and is one of a number of experienced juniors on this year’s ballclub.

The deep starting crew and bullpen helps make up for the loss of Toppy Robideau, an all-Olympic League second teamer, to graduation.

Helping bolster the offense is Holland, whom Ditlefsen said looks fit and ready to make a leap this season after an offseason of hitting the weight room. He led the team in doubles and bases on balls, and tied Bear for the team lead in RBIs.

White also figured to help pace the offense after leading the team in triples in 2023, as does Schmadeke, an all-Olympic League second team utility player who led the team in hits and stolen bases last spring.

Sequim, who opened the season with a jamboree against Bremerton and East Jefferson on March 9, hosted Forks on March 11 and played at Bainbridge on March 12, saw 25 players turn out and will be able to field a junior varsity team this spring.

The Wolves, Ditlefsen noted, could have as many as eight returning starters in 2025.

But the Sequim coach said he likes his team’s chances now.

‘“It’s a fun group,” Ditlefsen said. “They’re baseball savvy.”

Spring sports preview: Baseball

Head coach: Dave Ditlefsen (19th season)

2023 record: 5-9 in Olympic League, 11-10 overall; 0-1 at districts

Top returners: Ayden Holland (sr.), Bryant Laboy (jr.), Ethan Staples (jr.), Brayden White (jr.), Jamison Gray (jr.), Lincoln Bear (so.), Devyn Dearninger (so.), Zeke Schmadeke (so.), Hunter Tennell (so.)

Newcomers: Clay Abrams (so.), Logan Doyle (so.), William Kuperus (NA), Soloman Shepard (so.), Simon Skribner (NA)

2024 Sequim High baseball schedule

Date Opponent Time

March 11 Forks 4:15 p.m.

March 12 at Bainbridge 4:15 p.m.

March 14 Bainbridge 4:15 p.m.

March 19 at North Kitsap 4:15 p.m.

March 21 North Kitsap 4:15 p.m.

March 26 at Kingston 4:15 p.m.

March 27 at Coupeville 4 p.m.

March 28 Kingston 4:15 p.m.

April 5 at Mount Tahoma 45 p.m.

April 9 at Port Angeles 6:30 p.m.

April 11 Port Angeles 4:15 p.m.

April 13 at Ingraham 2 p.m.

April 15 Crosspoint Academy 4:15 p.m.

April 16 at Bremerton 4:15 p.m.

April 18 Bremerton 4:15 p.m.

April 22 at North Mason 4:15 p.m.

April 23 North Mason 4:15 p.m.

April 26 at Olympic 4:15 p.m.

April 29 Olympic 4:15 p.m.

May 7-11 West Central Bi-District tournament TBA