SHORELINE
As 12-year-olds, players such as Bobby LeCount, Cole Clerget and Alex Kuniyoshi helped lead the Richmond Little League All-Stars to the state finals where they lost to Richland.
Now as seniors at Shorewood High School, LeCount, Clerget, Kuniyoshi and others hope to make a run at a Western Conference South Division baseball title and go deep in the state playoffs.
The team draws comparisons to the 2001 Shorewood team, which finished third in the state 4A tournament, the best the school has ever done.
Coach Wyatt Tonkin, who is in his 11th season, believes that this year’s has even more talent than the 2001 team, which included a bunch of “grinders” including Tonkin’s son Shea, who is coaching the junior varsity this year.
“I think talent-wise this is the deepest team I’ve had in a long time,” Tonkin said. “Everybody wants to compare these guys to the ‘01 team. I think these guys have more talent than the ‘01 team.”
The 2001 team had heart and grit, Tonkin said.
“This team is starting to be the same way,” Tonkin said. “They’re really coming together as a team. They spent a lot of time together in the summer. These seniors are inseparable. They’re going to have a little more talent than the ‘01 team and just as much heart. Hopefully we’ll have a lot of success.”
The Thunderbirds strength starts with its pitching. Clerget, a 6-foot, 195-pound senior right hander is the No. 1 starter and boasts a fastball in the high 80 miles per hour range. He throws a changeup and decent curveball and is around the plate a lot. Clerget could be headed to Edmonds Community College’s strong baseball program next year.
The No. 2 starter is Kuniyoshi, a lefty, who has an explosive fastball that is tough to hit when he can get it over the plate. Kuniyoshi, who stands 5-10, has signed with Seattle University. He also has a good curveball and could become the No. 1 starter if he cuts down on his walks, Tonkin said.
The T-birds also have a third top-notch starter in 6-2 sophomore lefty Blake Snell.
The T-birds will use LeCount, who was a starting pitcher last year, in relief and as a sport starter.
The pitching staff also includes 6-4 sophomore right hander Kevin Moriarity, junior lefty Harrison Torrance and senior right handed sinkerballer Brandon Ossinger.
On defense, LeCount will move from shortstop to center field where he is able to cover a “tremendous amount of ground,” Tonkin said. “He has an absolute laser of an arm in the outfield. He’s such a good athlete he can play anywhere.”
The double play combo of senior shortstop J.K. Dykes and senior second baseman Daniel Hammer has played together for several years on varsity and “can turn it with the best of them,” Tonkin said.
Splitting time at catcher are senior Mark Roberto and sophomore Thomas Vincent, who attends King’s and plays quarterback for the Knights’ football team.
The T-birds have senior right-handed power hitter Geordan Medalia at first. Trevor Mitsui, a sophomore right handed power hitter, who stands 6-3 and weighs 220 pounds, also plays first and third.
Junior Robby Rusch bats left and plays first and third as well.
Sophomore Jeremy Edwards is a utility player who can play infield or outfield positions.
Kuniyoshi and Clerget will play the outfield when they don’t pitch and junior Nate McLellan will see time in right field and the mound.
Sophomore Paul Stotz also plays the outfield.
“My biggest problem is going to be keeping them healthy and getting enough innings for everybody so everybody stays fresh,” Tonkin said. “If it’s anything like last year we won’t have to worry about the innings pitched. I’m pretty confident that the guy I bring in can do the job.”
Shorewood’s right up at the top of the league with Mountlake Terrace, Jackson and Meadowdale among the top contenders. Edmonds-Woodway lost key players but is usually tough and Kamiak is improved. Shorecrest is tough to beat when Washington State signee James Robbins is on the mound.
“We have a good core of seniors that are good young men who love the game of baseball,” Tonkin said. “They’re taking leadership roles and doing things the right way.”
Shea Tonkin is joining the staff to take the place of Jeff Hjelmaa, who is taking a year off after successfully battling cancer.
Tonkin played AA ball for Sioux City, Iowa last year after a successful career as a catcher at Dakota State Univ., where he was a three time all-league player and All-American his senior year.
“He gets along with the youngsters and has a lot of knowledge and will work with the catchers,” Wyatt Tonkin said.
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