Merchants take aim at repeat title

  • Thursday, May 30, 2002 9:00pm
  • Sports

Herald staff

EVERETT – His arm isn’t what it once was, but his passion for the game is still school-boy fresh.

And so, Harold Pyatte is back for his 30th year as manager of the Everett Merchants semi-pro baseball team.

“Father Time has taken its toll,” Pyatte said. “I can’t pitch an hour of batting practice like I used to, but the spirit in the arm is still there.”

The spirit in the heart is too, as well it should be. Pyatte’s team is a unanimous pick to win its third consecutive Pacific International League title.

“I don’t know if I like the results of that coaches poll,” Pyatte said, “but we do have a good ballclub.”

The Merchants get the season underway Saturday night with a 7 o’clock game against Bend, Ore., at Everett Memorial Stadium. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday.

This will be a typical Pyatte team, relying on pitching, defense and a small-ball offense.

“We’re a single-doubles type team,” Pyatte said. “We hit very few home runs.”

Some of Pyatte’s players may be late in reporting for duty.

Outfielder Cory Acklus, a Cascade High graduate, is playing in the NAIA World Series at Lewiston, Idaho.

His Albertson College team needed to win Thursday night to gain a berth in the championship game today.

Acklus hit .343 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI during the regular season and was batting .467 with two homers and eight RBI in the tournament.

Hal Bisnett and Beau Blacken, both from Lake Stevens, are playing for New Mexico State in the NCAA Houston Regional today.

Bisnett, who batted .294 with six homers and 52 RBI this season, was recently selected the MVP in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

Jeff Culpepper of Woodinville is coming off an excellent season at Gonzaga University. A redshirt freshman, Culpepper led the Zags in hitting with a .349 average.

One of Pyatte’s top pitchers is also his pitching coach, Levi Lacey, who was 8-1 last year.

Lacey, who did an outstanding job of reviving the Everett Community College baseball program this spring, is still slowed from knee surgery last fall, but says he’ll be ready to pitch within two weeks.

“The arm’s in great shape,” he said.

Pyatte had most of his players selected two months ago, but held two open turnouts this week to see if he could find some reinforcements. And he did, signing three players Thursday night.

One of the kids, Jeremy Weinmeister of Bothell, showed an 88-91 mph fastball.

“We can always use another arm,” Pyatte said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Snohomish, Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), who will be coached by his third offensive line coach in three seasons in 2025, lines up in Seattle's 20-17 win over San Francisco at Levi's Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire shows they’re serious about offensive line

New offensive coordinator bringing in veterans with hopes of improving front.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Stanwood High School football coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Stanwood football coach lands new Gig

Jeff Scoma, who resigned midseason in 2024, will coach Gig Harbor H.S. next season.

Mariners among biggest offseason losers

Juan Soto, LA Dodgers are among winners as baseball begins.

High schoolers challenge Trump’s ban of trans athletes

Two transgender high school students have challenged President Trump’s executive order barring… Continue reading

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.