SNOHOMISH — The Snohomish baseball team has already lost more games this season, in its preseason jamboree tournament, than it did all of last year.
The Panthers, who finished the regular season undefeated and went 22-1 last season after losing in the first round of the state tournament, dropped both of their games in the Bothell Varsity Preseason Jamboree last weekend. Snohomish lost eight seniors from last year’s squad and has plenty of question marks going into the season.
One thing Snohomish is sure of, however, is the importance of senior Jake Mulholland.
Mulholland, a left-handed pitcher who has committed to Oregon State, is a key returner for the Panthers and will be looked at to lead a young Snohomish team that is trying to make it back to the postseason. As games begin to get underway, the Snohomish co-captain is already trying to rally his Panthers.
“Last year, even in the jamboree, we didn’t lose a game and we just lost both (last weekend). I think that was a little more of a wake-up early in the year to let us know that, right now, we’re not at the level we were at last year,” Mulholland said. “Early in the year we thought that we were going to come out and have a season like last year but we didn’t realize the hard work we had to put in last year to get that far.
“This year, we’re going to have to work just as hard. Or harder.”
Longtime Snohomish head coach Kim Hammons knows this season will likely be a little different from last year’s, which boasted the best record in Snohomish baseball history.
However, the skipper is expecting another standout year from his ace.
“As a captain he just brings a ton of experience,” Hammons said. “He’s a quiet leader, but at the same time, he leads by example and he goes about his work very professionally. He does all the things you’re supposed to do to get ready for the season. … The kid is just working. He knows what to do on the field and on the bump. The younger kids see that and they follow his example and just get better because of it.”
Mulholland has developed from a 6-foot-1, 155-pound freshman to a 6-foot-3, 195-pound experienced senior. Last season, Mulholland was 8-0 with a 1.15 earned-run average and struck out 70 batters in 55 innings.
The Panthers’ rivals know how strong of a challenge it can be going up against Mulholland. Jackson head coach Kirk Nicholson said his team has to be at it’s best when going against the crafty lefty.
“Jake Mulholland is the best returning pitcher in the league,” Nicholson said. “Going into the game you know you can’t give up two runs or you’re in trouble.”
It will be awhile before Nicholson or fellow Wesco 4A teams see Mulholland on the mound. While at a showcase in Arizona a couple of months ago, Mulholland felt a little soreness in his arm.
He got looked at by a doctor who recently cleared him to hit and play first base.
Mulholland hopes to be back on the mound in “about two weeks.”
“I’m getting back into it right now. Shouldn’t affect me too much,” Mulholland said. “It was a little thing with my bone. But it’s fine. My arm’s healthy. I’m just taking precautions, making sure I’d be good for college and the rest of the year.”
Hammons said the goal is to take things slowly with his prized lefty. Once he’s cleared to pitch, the Snohomish coach plans to ease Mulholland back into it.
“We’ll start (with Mulholland) throwing end relief and then gradually, over the next month, he can improve those innings and go from a one-inning pitcher to three or four,” Hammons said. “Maybe by the time the playoffs start, and if we’re lucky enough to get there, he’ll have a chance to start a game.”
Mulholland will still be in the field and at the plate for the Panthers. The senior, who went 2-for-4 with a double in Snohomish’s season-opening win over Mountlake Terrace, batted .409 with 12 RBI last season.
He emphasizes the little things that the Panthers can do to be successful this season.
“Everyone wants to go out and hit a home run but that’s not usually what happens. We had one last year,” Mulholland said. “I think that playing with the most amount of energy — usually whichever team has more energy is going to be the one that is more successful. Maybe you don’t like to bunt but, if that’s what’s going to get the job done.
“We’re definitely going to have to be better at contributing — moving runners over, getting runners on. Pitching’s going to have to be better, more locked in. We’re going to have to take it a little more seriously this year.”
With the departure of several key players, including Ben Dmochowsky, Ryan Sandifer and Ben Morgan, the Panthers are going to need several players to step up over the course of the season.
Hammons has challenged his players to fill those roles and get clutch hits, something Snohomish mastered last season with the Panthers finishing 10-0 in one-run games.
“Those were the guys who drove in runs for us,” Hammons said. “We’re trying to find out who are the guys that can drive in runs for us and find out who our table setters are at the top of the lineup. … When you lose eight seniors you really have to look for the younger kids, the kids that you’ve developed in previous years, to really step up and try to be the dude. That’s what we’re looking for. Right now, we’re trying to find our identity as a team. We are still looking for some answers at different positions right now.”
Mulholland knows it won’t be another 20-0 season, but the senior is hopeful the Panthers can get on another role and make it back to the state tournament.
And, maybe, even get a little farther than they did last season.
“We want to make it further than we did last year. We want to play together as a family and I think that will help us get to the next level,” Mulholland said. “Getting knocked out in the first round of state was pretty heartbreaking for us. Being 22-0 and then we end up losing. Our goal is to make it further than that but I think that we need to think more, ‘How to get there’ instead of ‘when we get there.’
“I just want to contribute as much as I can. I want to make sure I get better every single day I’m out here. I think it’ll be a good year. Can’t wait to get out there.”
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