With the start of a new year, optimism springs eternal. After what can only be called a disappointing 2010 for the organization 2011 brings a new Head Coach and a renewed enthusiasm for the Tritons Baseball Club.

Head Coach Russell Smithson appointed to the position in July 2010 takes over the reigns of the senior club in his second year, moving up from the 16U club. After a solid fall season for the seniors, he has demonstrated his ability to communicate and motivate a group eager to start the season and put the issues of last year behind them.

Joining the group in that goal will be Pitching Coach Darcy Sidhoo now in his 4th year with the organization along with Asst. Adam Ladoucuer as he enters into his 3rd. Coach Ladoucuer  will assist Coach Smithson with the infielders.

Finally, Mike Joy rounds out the coaching staff. In addition to his off field duties,  he will also serves as the outfielding and hitting coach for the club.

This year the 18U Tritons will have another demanding and very competitive schedule starting with our   Spring Training trip to Tucson, Arizona, playing in the Jack Howell Classic, a US Junior College in season tournament featuring some of the top JUCO from the US Southwest.  In addition to our 48 game league schedule we have committed to two major tournaments in Seattle as well  a number of exhibition games scheduled against some of the top 18U clubs from Washington. We feel  this years’ schedule shapes up to be one of our best in recent years.

Our entire coaching staff is looking forward to the task in developing this young dedicated group of athletes as they assist each of them in achieving their goals. This is how we feel the 2011 Senior Tritons will look this year.

Catchers:

Most of the receiving duties will fall upon the shoulders of junior graduate Evan Douglas, and Senior returnee Dustin Dhanani.   Junior call up Brett Walker will also be major contributors to one of the best set of catchers in the entire league.

Infielders:

Our middle infield will be anchored by returning high school Seniors, Josh Larsen and Talon Van Horn. The hot corner will be covered by junior graduates Shay Buis and Evan Douglas will provide a strong backup. First base will see a battle between senior Drew Fedyk, who is coming off a very strong fall season, and Sean McGuire. Both have experience from last season and will be looked upon to provide solid leadership in the infield. Senior Josh Sigurdson will also be called upon at Short. Josh will also be patrolling the outfield and hitting in the middle of the order and is coming off one of the best offensive seasons ever by a Titon hitting .379 and tying the league lead in stolen bases.

Filling out the infield will be grade 11 Tony Tabor. Tabor provides outstanding speed and footwork in the infield and also provides a serious threat at the top of the line-up offensively. Also fighting for time will be transfer Joel Lamont. Lamont will fill holes when called upon at all infield positions with the exception of first base.

Outfielders:

The Tritons Outfield will be patrolled by Seniors  Josh Sigurdson, and Brandon Novak. Both seniors are looking to have big seasons. Joining them will be junior grads Jackson Temple, and Spencer Dolphin who both started for the junior team last season, and are looking to push for starting jobs. Newcomer Cody Didyk will also be in the mix when he’s not on the mound. All of these players have potential to roam the grass and will compete day in and day out. The outfield talent is one of the best in the league and the coaching staff looks forward to watching these guys play and battle it out on a daily basis.

Pitching:

This year our staff will be a good mix of Juniors and Seniors. The Tritons will be led on the hill by Senior RHP Josh Larsen. Josh showed in the fall that he is ready to be one of the elite pitchers in the league. Following Josh will be a pair of lefty’s, Nathan Trueblood who’s coming off an impressive junior season which saw him strikeout 49 hitters in 32.2 innings, and 4^th year Triton Sean Mcguire, who is looking to build on a very successful fall. Both will be called upon to fill big innings for the club.  Junior RHP Shay Buis will hope to replicate his dominating 2010 season at the junior level which saw him lead the league in strikeouts and sport an outstanding 1.78 ERA.

Rounding out the staff are Junior transfer RHP Joel Lamont, who like Buis and Trueblood, sported an ERA under 2.00 and Lamont was second in the league in wins with 7 last year as well as tied for first with 5 complete games. RHP Adam Shumka, and RHP Alex Webb will be called upon in both starter and reliever roles. Shumka, another impressive Junior graduate, was second in the league in strikeouts as well as appearances (15). Webb is coming off a season ending broken wrist which limited him to just 2 months of the season. Webb will be looking to make a comeback and secure a role in the starting staff. Last,  and but by no means least, we expect with the addition of Junior transfer Cody Didyk will provide a very live arm both as a starter and reliever. He has made great strides and expects to have a very good first season with the Tritons.

In closing,  this year’s group has much to prove with the graduating juniors pushing for spots and the returning seniors looking to put last years frustrations behind them. We feel the enthusiasm they have demonstrated and the hard work spent over the winter will help them find their way to a respectable finish and an opportunity to compete for this years prize.