2000 Final Season Record: 37-11 Western Division 23-7 - Champions
NWAACC Championships - 2nd
NWAACC Baseball Final Coaches Poll: Lower Columbia - 2nd
NWAACC All Tournament Team
Gabe Stajduhar
Jason McBride
Nick Gravelle
Ryan Jurvakainen
NWAACC Conference All Stars
Gabe Stajduhar - 1st Team
Jason McBride - 1st Team
Joel Summers - 1st Team
Nick Gravelle - 1st Team
Spencer Stein - 2nd Team
Western Division All Stars
Jason McBride - MVP
Joel Summers - 1st Team
Gabe Stajduhar - 1st Team
Spencer Stein - 1st Team
Nick Gravelle - 1st Team
Dusty Suiter - 2nd Team
Nick Williams - 2nd Team
Co-Coach of the Year - Kelly Smith
2000 Red Devil Baseball Outlook
Repeating as Western Division Champions is always the main goal of Lower Columbia Baseball. Winning the NWAACC Championship is always an attainable dream for LCC Baseball.
Can this team duplicate the record year of 1999? It is doubtful that any team could ever go 40-5 and win an incredible 28 games in a row. The 1999 team had a special chemistry that carried them through nearly every obstacle.
Comparing this year's squad to last year's may be unfair, as far as wins and losses. Talent wise the 2000 crew may be better, even though there has been a loss of two stars due to academic ineligibility.
The depth at all positions is much better than before. This gives the coaches the flexibility to play different lineups. Playing the "hot" guys and resting others will keep the team fresher down the stretch. Last year's team was tired and banged up by tournament time. This team may very well be better suited to win the NWAACC Championship this year.
The strength of the 2000 Devils is again - pitching. Under the direction of Coach Rob Hippi, the pitching staff could come close to the same statistics as last year. The loss of two NWAACC First Team hurlers hurts, but Hippi feels his guys are very formidable.
Catching will be much better in 2000. There are three to four guys who will see time behind the plate. This group blocks and throws well. Hitting production from this unit will be solid.
The infield defense should be a real strength in 2000. The depth at all four positions gives the flexibility to play different lineups. With the pitchers, fielding will be a key to the success of the team. Though most of the infield is new, they have shown they are much more consistent that last year' team.
The outfield should be a strong part of the Devil defense and especially offense. The players are not quite as fast, but this unit will certainly hit the ball with the same power. Most of the outfielders can play a variety of positions.
Overall, this is a talented, hardworking group of athletes who should be very strong in the coming season. There are quite a few returning sophomores who know how to win. If they can teach the freshman what it takes to be an LCC Red Devil, they should be contenders for the Western Division and the NWAACC Championships. It will be an exciting team to watch.