Docs’ season starts with high hopes after successful spring
The spring high school baseball season proved to be a successful one. Umpqua Valley Christian claimed a state championship. Douglas was ranked No. 1 in the state. Numerous teams qualified for the state playoffs.
The question now is, will the achievements during the spring lead to wins during the summer American Legion baseball season?
“I feel like we’ve got a lot of potential this year,” Douglas High School graduating senior Tristan Ledbetter said. “With all the best players from a bunch of good teams, it’s got to be pretty good.”
Ledbetter will be one of nine returning players for second-year coach Eric Savage and the Roseburg Dr. Stewart’s.
“It’s a blessing,” Savage said of having so many returning pieces. “It allows me to sleep at night.”
The Docs are coming off a strong showing in Savage’s first year at the helm. The team finished third in Area 4 and were one of the final four teams standing in the AAA Legion state tournament.
“We’ve gotten close the last few years, but we just haven’t gotten over that hump. Hopefully this year is the year,” Dr. Stewart’s pitcher Evan Corbin said.
The Roseburg High School graduate is the most tenured player on the roster. He’s suiting up for his fourth season with the Stewies.
“I’m excited for sure,” Corbin said. “I’ve been here for four years, so I’ve seen a lot. I’ve been through a lot. We have a young team, so I think being back for my fourth year, after a year of college, will really help these guys out and really benefit myself also.”
Returning for their third season are Douglas teammates Ledbetter and Evan Martin and UVC’s Daniel Withers. Making the roster for a second time is Brooks Avery, Logan Anderson, Drew Camp, Cole Collins and Colton Siewell.
The team is loaded with talent that has everyone excited.
Corbin pitched 22 innings over 10 appearances during his freshman year with the Umpqua Riverhawks. The big right-hander finished the season with 19 strikeouts, four walks and a 2.05 earned run average.
“I feel like I’ve matured a lot over my time there with coach (Jeremiah) Robbins and all the guys there. I feel like I’ve matured a lot, just as a person and as a baseball player,” Corbin said.
Ty Hellenthal of Umpqua Valley Christian was named the Class 2A/1A Player of the Year and Martin, a graduating senior at Douglas, was named the Far West League Player of the Year.
There are also nine first team all-league selections on the roster and two second team.
The all-star squad was assembled on Monday after three days of tryouts. The Docs had a scrimmage against UCC players on Wednesday as a tune-up for the season opener against Mid-Valley at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Bill Gray Legion Stadium at Champion Car Wash Field.
“Now it’s our job to get them to buy into a system and get them to compete and get them playing as a unit,” Savage said. “I’m really excited about what we’re putting on the field.”
The goal, like every season, will be to win the Area 4 title over the likes of the Medford Mustangs, Klamath Falls Falcons, Grants Pass Nuggets, Eugene Challengers and a new league member, the Redmond Generals.
The AAA Oregon state tournament will be held July 26-31 in Eugene at Swede Johnson Stadium for a second consecutive season. The winner of the state title moves on to the Northwest Regional starting Aug. 7 in Billings, Mont.
The American Legion World Series is held Aug. 15-20 in Shelby, N.C.
