Spring sports preview: Wolves’ baseball squad looks to build off ‘21 campaign

Sequim High’s baseball team took some lumps last season, but head coach Dave Ditlefsen said this team has a lot going for it in 2022.

“This is not an inexperienced group; we’ve got some very baseball-savvy kids,” said Ditlefsen at a preseason practice.

“They want to get better and they take baseball seriously.”

The Wolves lost a number of key seniors to graduation, including stalwarts Michael Grubb and Hayden Eaton, but return nearly a dozen players who notched varsity time in 2021.

Conor Bear will lead the team on the field and off, Ditlefsen said; the senior will play shortstop while not on the mound.

Sequim High baseball head coach Dave Ditlefsen, right, talks with players at a preseason practice in early March. Sequim Gazette photo by Michel Dashiell

“He stepped into that [leadership] role last year,” Ditlefsen said. “He’s one of the better leaders in the league, by the way he carries himself in games and in practice.”

Also back are fourth-year varsity players Zach McCracken and Jaxson Gray. McCracken makes the move from catcher to first base and will anchor that corner and help anchor the pitching, as will Gray, who splits time between second base and the mound.

Ditlefsen said he also expects big contributions from Ricky Jennings, a junior who pitches and plays third base.

“You can just see he’s grown stronger and now has a year of varsity under his belt,” the Sequim coach said of Jennings.

Ditlefsen said he’s excited about the group of ninth-graders who are on the team, many of who played under new assistant coach Gary White as part of a Sequim little League travel team last year.

Sequim’s Conor Bear pitches against 3A foe Central Kitsap in March 2021. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell

Among the freshmen looking to contribute now are Brayden White, who can handle catching responsibilities (with sophomore Ayden Holland) and play some center field, and Ethan Staples, a key utility player who can move around the infield and outfield.

Fierce competition

The Wolves will also be a bit of a mystery for some traditional league rivals; because the 2020 season was canceled and last year’s schedule was altered to play only nearby schools, Sequim will see schools such as North Mason, Kingston and Bremerton for the first time in three years.

While the Wolves will face teams that they struggled to keep pace with in the first half of 2021 — Sequim finished 2-12 overall — Ditlefsen said he likes his team’s chances this spring with that experience under his team’s collective belts.

“We’re expecting to compete in every game,” he said. “It feels like they understand the game (better).”

Olympic League powers Port Angeles and North Kitsap should be tough once again, he said.

“We’re always scrapping to get in that 2-3-4 spot,” he said.

Spring sports preview: Baseball

Head coach: Dave Ditlefsen (17th season)

2021 record: 2-12

Top returners: Connor Bear (sr.), Zach McCracken (sr.), Jaxson Gray (sr.), Ayden Holland (so.), Ricky Jennings (jr.), Alexander Kessler (so.), Lucas Lawrence (jr.), Calvin Magelssen (jr.), Isaac Moore (so.), Toppy Robideau (jr.), Hunter Tobin (jr.)

Newcomers: Garrett Barr (jr.), Caspar Royall (so.), Dylan Bowen (fr.), Jamison Gray (fr.), Bryant Laboy (fr.), Marshall Phipps (fr.), Tommy Reandeau (fr.), Simon Skribner (fr.), Ethan Staples (fr.), Brayden White (fr.)

Sequim High School baseball 2022 schedule

Date Opponent Time

March 12 Jamboree (home) Noon

March 15 Bainbridge 4:15 p.m.

March 17 at Bremerton 4:15 p.m.

March 18 at Forks 4:15 p.m.

March 22 North Kitsap 4:15 p.m.

March 24 at North Mason 4:15 p.m.

March 26 at Anacortes 12:30 p.m.

March 28 Kingston 4:15 p.m.

March 31 at Olympic 4:15 p.m.

April 8 at Mariner 3:30 p.m.