EdCC looks to defend title

Edmonds Community College’s baseball team appears to have found its groove.

Coming into last weekend’s series against Shoreline, the Tritons were 4-4 in league play, including series splits against Bellevue and Everett, two teams regarded as favorites in the North Division.

Four straight victories over the Dolphins on April 10-11 have vaulted Edmonds, the defending NWAACC champions, from the middle of the pack to second place in the division behind undefeated Skagit Valley.

“Anytime you win four games in a weekend, it’s a good weekend,” said Edmonds coach Brad Ditter. “There are no gimmes in this league. … I feel good where we’re at right now. We’ve had two tough series against Bellevue and Everett. Splitting with both teams isn’t all that bad.”

Ditter had to do some significant retooling with his lineup as the Tritons lost about 65 percent of the players who led the Tritons to the championship.

Edmonds still retained a solid core of players, including sophomore shortstop Kirby Young (Lake Washington), sophomore pitcher Kris Dennis (Bothell), sophomore center fielder Nick Pizzuto (Lake Washington) and sophomore catcher Taylor Hudson (Bothell).

Sophomore Brandon Kizer (Marysville-Pilchuck), a key pitcher last season, hasn’t been available due to an injury. His status for the rest of the season won’t be known until later this week when he sees his doctor, Ditter said.

The Tritons had a lot of pitching depth last year. Whether Edmonds will be able to duplicate their performance on the mound has yet to be determined. A couple of Meadowdale graduates — freshmen Ricky Denham and Jake Haight — have bolstered the staff along with freshmen Alex Brueske (Lake Washington) and Jacob Kemmerer (Issaquah).

“Those are my go-to guys,” Ditter said. “I think we have some quality pitchers.”

Denham transferred from the University of Washington.

“Fortunately, we’re close to his home,” Ditter said. “It worked out in our favor.”

The Tritons’ offense was able to generate some significant numbers against Shoreline. After winning 6-1 and 8-4 on Friday, Edmonds routed Shoreline 16-5 and 12-2 on Saturday.

What Ditter likes about his squad is that Edmonds can produce runs with speed or power.

“We have an array of speed guys with some legitimate power,” Ditter said.

Sophomore second baseman Sean McClurken (Stanwood) is hitting .445 and also is getting it done in the field.

“He has just been a pleasant surprise offensive and defensively,” Ditter said.

Young also is solid at the plate with a .380 average. The sophomore from Lake Washington has signed with Sacramento State. Pizzuto, who also is off to a great start, is hitting .370.

The speed in the lineup comes from McClurken, Young, Pizzuto and freshman outfielder Andy Lyon (Meadowdale). Ditter looks to freshman third baseman Spencer Ofelt (Cascade Christian), freshman first baseman Brock Gates (Decatur) and freshman infielder Sean Moser (Marysville-Pilchuck) for power.

The defense is anchored by infielders Young, McClurken and Pizzuto in center field.

“I think we have one of the strongest middles in the entire NWAACC,” Ditter said. “I don’t know if there’s another NWAACC team that can match us in the middle.”

Defending its championship is a goal the Tritons have set for themselves.

“We know we have a target on our back,” Ditter said. “Everyone wants to give us our best game. It takes a lot of luck and lot of clutch hitting. Obviously, our goal is to go do it again.”