2007 SEASON OUTLOOK
by Head Coach Kelly Smith

It’s hard, ok, impossible to forget the heartbreaking finish of 2006. Taking second place in the NWAACC's for other programs is something to boast about, but not at Lower Columbia. It was a tough, monumental effort by possibly our finest squad. Fighting the battle is what we do as Red Devils - 2006 was another great year.

As 2006 was a veteran squad who were part of the 2005 championship, this year’s team is as young and inexperienced as I’ve ever had in 12 years. With only two returning everyday starters and two other half-time starters, we will depend heavily on freshman who must grow up now.

That being said, it will be no excuse for not again winning the Western Division and battling for the NWAACC Championship. As the most successful program in the NWAACC our tradition dictates we contend every year.

The constant variable is the coaching staff I have around me at Lower Columbia. With Rob Hippi orchestrating the young, but talented pitching staff the Devils arms will surprise lots of opponents. Pitching has been the strength of out program since “Hip” arrived in 1997. Expect the starters to be very efficient and the pen to get more work this year. Sophomore Paul Dickey will start this season and transfer Sophomore Chris Williamson will close. In between, we have a nice stable of young arms who are progressing nicely from the fall to the winter.

Hitting coaches Matt Hiatt and Seth Johnson have their work cut out for them in 2007. Besides 3B Garrett Brown, 1B Cort Carpenter and OF Lyndon Estill, the offense is brand new. Lost are seven Div. I or Div. II hitters. Yet, there is a guarded optimism on how good our freshman could be. There will be fast, pesky guys at the top and bottom of the order, as there always is in the Red Devil style of play. This year, we may be slow in the middle of the order, but I expect some good power and RBI numbers from the chubby guys in the 4, 5, and 6 spots. Defensively, the 2007 should be, no, must be pretty good. More balls will be hit to them then we saw in 05’ and 06’. Most starters will be new, so coaches Grady Tweit and Ian McMullen have been working after hours with our defense. The catching core is new, but between four prospects we will find two solid backstops.

The infield will be veterans at the corners and freshman dirt-dogs up the middle, whom plays the best defense between the five candidates, will see the most time at shortstop and second. Our outfield is probably our strongest group of athletes. There likely will be the luxury of platooning between the six viable candidates. Estill is the only returner who played last season, but he will be pushed by a transfer and some very talented prospects. In summary, I have guarded optimism about our 2007 baseball team. They work extremely hard and are improving rapidly, but most have not played at this level. The game is faster and more competitive than high school. The pre-season games will be a time for different line-ups for badly needed experience. If they progress like the coaching staff believes they will, the 2007 Red Devils will be just fine.