If Chase Anselment and Brian Wolfe play baseball together next year at the University of Washington, they will share an aspiration: Ruling the Pac-10 Conference.
But even now, as high school seniors, the Husky recruits share the same goal. They seek a third trip to Safeco Field.
The past two seasons, Wolfe of Snohomish High School and Anselment of Meadowdale High helped propel their teams to the Class 4A and 3A state baseball championships at Safeco. Wolfe’s Panthers won the 4A title in 2008 after finishing second a year before. Anselment and the Mavericks haven’t broken through yet in the Seattle Mariners home ballpark; they went 0-4 there in 2007 and 2008, placing fourth both times.
But this is a new year. That means different challenges for Snohomish and Meadowdale, who are again expected to be among the state’s elite teams.
“It’s always the goal of every high school team to get to Safeco,” Snohomish baseball coach Kim Hammons said. “We’re going to put it as our goal and try to get back there, but we have some questions to answer before we even start thinking about that.”
Besides losing a stellar Class of 2008 group that included two-time Herald All-Area Baseball Player of the Year Derek Jones, Snohomish is dealing with a decline in turnout caused by the opening of Glacier Peak High. The Glacier Peak effect wasn’t as bad as Hammons expected though. Last year 105 kids turned out for Snohomish baseball. This year it dipped to 80, but that’s about 15 more than Hammons projected.
In addition to Wolfe — a four-year varsity letterman who pitches and plays first base — Snohomish returns its entire infield: third baseman Braden Allen, shortstop Max Foster and second baseman Bubba Robbins.
Wolfe steps in as the Panthers’ top starting pitcher, a new role. “He definitely has proven that he can be the No. 1 guy,” Hammons said. “Sometimes he’s going to have to put the team on his back and carry us.”
As good as Snohomish should be again, it might not be the area’s best 4A club. “Mountlake Terrace, to me, is the favorite,” Hammons said, citing Hawks pitchers Kyle Barisic (2008 All-Wesco South second team) and Ryan Sells.
“Those two guys are really tough,” Hammons said. “That’s what it takes — two good pitchers and you can get there.”
Terrace returns the bulk of its 2008 division-and district-winning crew. Catcher Paul Clingan is a four-year varsity starter who signed with Washington State University. Clingan, outfielder Jaykob Sells and third baseman Matt Shafer were all-league first team picks a year ago.
Terrace coach Andrew Watters said his squad is one of several outstanding South teams: “Shorewood’s going to be awfully good. Our league is so hard. I don’t think you can ever have a conversation about contenders without mentioning Jackson. And I expect Meadowdale to be very good.”
The 3A Mavericks are led by three battle-tested seniors: catcher/pitcher/outfielder Anselment, pitcher Chris Johnson and pitcher/third baseman/catcher Roger O’Neill. With Johnson (a University of Portland baseball recruit) and O’Neill (a Saint Martin’s University basketball signee) missing the first few weeks of baseball practice because of the state hoops tournament, Anselment was an ideal motivator.
“Chase has done everything we asked of him,” Meadowdale coach Bill Hummel said. “He’s been a terrific leader for our young kids.”
Ranked No. 21 among Washington seniors by Baseball Northwest, Anselment last season hit .380 with 11 doubles, four home runs and 26 runs batted in. As Meadowdale’s closer, he had four saves, 24 strikeouts and a 0.81 earned-run average in 172/3 innings.
Although Anselment signed with the Huskies, he’s keeping his options open in case he gets selected during the Major League Baseball amateur draft in June, Hummel said.
Anselment may eventually become a pro. For now, he and Meadowdale are focused on not just returning to Safeco, but earning a victory or two there.
“No question, it’s a goal,” said Hummel. “To get to the postseason you really have to have some outstanding starting pitching. I think we’re going to have that in Chris Johnson and Roger O’Neill. Those are two quality starters that are going to be able to carry us a long way.”
With the powerful 6-foot, 215-pound Anselment ready to inflict damage with his bat and end games with his arm, it’s easy to imagine Meaowdale enjoying another fantastic season.
Mike Cane: 425-339-3471, mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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