El Mo returns strong nucleus of talent to 2018 squad
FORESTVILLE – Excitement and anticipation are high in the El Molino baseball camp this month, as the Lions embark on what promises to be a strong 2018 campaign.
Head coach Justin Lewis is back to guide a team that is the perfect blend of talent and experience, with designs on ascending to the top of the heap in the final year before league realignment.
“I think Petaluma is the team to beat, and Piner and Analy will be tough, but we’re right up there with them,” Lewis said of the Sonoma County League power rankings. “Our strengths are defense and hitting – we don’t have any weak hitters in the line-up – and we can plug kids into different positions just about anywhere on the field.”
The Lions are coming off a resurgent 2017 season that included an overall record of 10-13 and a trip to the North Coast Section playoffs, falling to Fort Bragg in the first round.
The Lions are a good bet to surpass their achievements of a year ago, with a strong nucleus of nine returning players that are among the best in the Redwood Empire.
Key senior returnees are pitcher/third baseman Wes Hamner, pitcher/first baseman Curtis Lewis, second baseman Shane Spellman, pitcher Bradley Swinney, centerfielder Andy Junge and outfielder Jack Belli.
Returning juniors include shortstop/pitcher Sam Wilson-Mietz, rightfielder Wyatt Stringfellow and catcher/pitcher Jordan Hamner.
Moving up to the varsity squad are juniors Sam Kenny, Sam McMinimy, Thomas Siegert and Aaron Daniels, sophomore Patrick Atkinson, and freshman Weston Lewis.
The pitching staff looks solid, with the top starters being Swinney, Curtis Lewis, Wilson-Mietz and the Hamner brothers.
“We’ve got a lot of good arms so it’s just a matter of getting everyone some time on the mound,” Lewis noted.
The Lions (2-1) have already logged three games on the pre-league circuit, opening up with dominant road wins over Willits (18-2) and St. Helena (11-1). El Mo suffered its first loss of the season on Monday against visiting Fort Bragg, 5-1.
The Lions will resume preseason action on March 8 against visiting Lower Lake (3:30 p.m.) and host Kelseyville and Windsor in a doubleheader Saturday, March 10 with games at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. El Mo will host Middletown next Tuesday, March 13 at 4 p.m.
Next week: a look at the Analy Tigers.
