Shorecrest returns only five varsity players
By Tony Dondero
Enterprise reporter
SHORELINE
It’s picture day for the Shorecrest baseball team and first team 3A all-state senior James Robbins and a young woman photographer are discussing ways to model his swing for the camera.
That sweet swing and golden left arm is what earned the first baseman and pitcher a partial scholarship to Washington State next year.
But in the meantime, Robbins has a young Shorecrest baseball team to lead.
Robbins, a team co-captain, is the team’s top hitter and its ace pitcher, but what’s as important as his stat line is the example he sets with his work ethic.
“His work ethic is amazing,” said senior lefty Max Bayern, the Scots’ No. 2 starting pitcher behind Robbins. “He not only leads vocally but by example. It’s wonderful having him on the team just watching him come on the field and work hard. It sets a good tone.”
Robbins is capable of beating any team in the Western Conference South Division including Mountlake Terrace, Shorewood, Meadowdale and Jackson, which are state playoff contenders, when he takes the mound.
But he’ll need protection while batting in the three-hole.
“People behind him and in front of him have to get on base and make the team threatening not just James himself,” said Bayern.
Robbins who hits for power and average will likely be pitched around most of the time.
“I got to be real patient and make sure it’s pitches that are mine, my pitch,” Robbins said. “Take my walks when I get ‘em not try to force things and strike myself out.”
The Scots finished last season 7-17 after making the state playoffs in 2007. Last year, they were eliminated by Ferndale in the 3A District 1 playoffs.
Shorecrest returns five varsity starters, but nine of the 14 players on the roster are newcomers.
Besides Bayern and Robbins, second baseman Ian Benbrooks, infielder Josh Leupold and catcher Nick Desrosier return.
“We all need to lead by example and show ‘em how it’s done and really push them to rise to the occasion because a lot of them this will be their first year,” Robbins said.
Among the newcomers vying for spots will be sophomore Henry Dickmeyer, junior Jeff Lazcano and freshman Ted Hammond.
Defense should be a strength, fifth-year coach Alan Bruns said, but the team will need to hit and play “small ball” and manufacture runs to have success.
“The key is going to come down to inexperienced young guys stepping up and meeting the challenge of varsity level baseball and finding a way to score runs and generate offense,” Bruns said.
The pitching staff after Robbins and Bayern is still being worked out.
“Filling out the staff and finding guys who can step in as relievers will be one of our big questions,” Bruns said.
Robbins is a power pitcher while Bayern will try to let hitters hit the ball and his defense make plays.
While this is Robbins’ team to lead, he can’t do it all himself and some young players will have to step up and make some noise.
“He’s a guy with all his tools that doesn’t come around all that often,” Bruns said of Robbins. “But we can’t leave it up to him to save the day.”
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