WOODLAND SENIOR Troy Flanagan (5) slides into home plate during the Beavers’ win at Kalama Friday. Flanagan scored three runs to help Woodland garner a 12-4 win over the Chinooks in the non-league game.
DUSTIN PITNER hurled four innings to help Woodland claim a non-league win at Kalama Friday. The sophomore struck out four in the winning effort.
Woodland’s baseball team is no stranger to success but now the Beavers are going to show they can do it at a higher level than before.
Last season, Woodland had the most successful baseball season in the high school’s history, finishing 25-2. The Beavers won their second straight district title and advanced to the Class 1A state championship game, losing 7-1 to Naches. For much of last season, the Beavers were the No. 1-ranked 1A team in the state.
This season, a lot of the names are the same as Woodland boasts a senior-laden team, complete with several key performers that led them to the title game a year ago. One of the new names on the Beavers’ roster is coach Mitch Kochis, who took over for Steve Short. Short left the Woodland program to accept a teaching position in another district.
“We have a bunch of seniors who were a big part of their success last year,’’ said Kochis of this year’s Beavers, who have moved up a classification and will now play in the Class 2A division of the Greater St. Helens League.
Woodland is 6-2 this season with its only losses coming in non-league games to a pair of strong 3A teams – Columbia River and Kelso. In the Beavers’ only league game so far this season, Woodland shutout Ridgefield 14-0 behind a five-inning no-hitter from senior Aaron Shoup.
Senior Cody Shepherd, a transfer from Madras, OR, was the hitting star in that win over the Spudders, going 3-for-3 with a home run. Shepherd, the Beavers’ cleanup hitter, has two home runs so far this season.
On Friday, Woodland defeated Kalama 12-4 in a non-league game. Sophomore Dustin Pitner got the start on the mound and earned the win with four strikeouts in four innings. He also had two hits and an RBI at the plate. Shepherd pitched the final three innings and added a hit, an RBI and two runs scored.
Senior Troy Flanagan, the Beavers’ leadoff hitter, scored three runs in the win at Kalama. Sophomore Tristan Thomas had a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Senior Austin Holcomb added two hits and three RBI; Shoup had an RBI and two runs scored; Hunter Raney had a hit and two RBI; Dylin Baker had two hits and Taylor Yeo had a hit.
Shoup and fellow senior Trevor Huddleston, both lefties, were Woodland’s top two pitchers a year ago and nothing has changed this season. Huddleston had a 10-0 record last season.
“He’s going to go after you with his fastball,’’ Kochis said of Huddleston. “He’s a pretty aggressive pitcher and he throws three pitches for strikes.’’
Shoup was 7-2 last season.
“He’s a smart pitcher,’’ Kochis said of Shoup. “He gets ahead in the count with his fastball and is able to locate his curveball and changeup.’’
Shepherd, Pitner and Baker will be the next tier of pitchers in the Beavers’ rotation.
Kochis is excited about his team’s lineup. Flanagan, a senior infielder, stirs the drink from his leadoff spot.
“I really like him on the base paths,’’ Kochis said. “He gets on base a lot. He’s a real tough out. He’s one of our offensive standouts.’’
Kochis has been experimenting a little this season with the next four spots in the batting order.
“We have a fun lineup to put together,’’ Kochis said. “It’s anchored by those guys in spots 2-5. Those guys could hit anywhere in the order. They are well-rounded hitters. It’s a good problem to have.’’
Kochis appears to have settled on Huddleston in the No. 2 spot behind Flanagan in the order.
“He’s a gap hitter and can drive the ball hard anywhere on the field,’’ Kochis said of Huddleston, who plays center field when he’s not pitching. “He can hit for power and he can hit for average.
Shoup, Woodland’s only left-handed hitter, is in the No. 3 spot.
“He was the leadoff hitter last year,’’ Kochis said of Shoup, who plays first base when he’s not pitching. “He’s a really patient hitter and he can put the ball anywhere in the field.’’
Shepherd, who plays some first base and in the outfield, is in the cleanup role.
“He can drive the ball to the opposite field,’’ Kochis said of Shepherd. “He’s got a lot of pop for a high school player.
Holcomb, the third baseman, is hitting fifth behind Shepherd.
“He’s probably our most patient hitter,’’ Kochis said of Holcomb. “He’s not afraid to hit with two strikes. He gets on base a lot and has a little power too so he fits in nicely.’’
Kochis loves his team’s balance. Not only is the pitching and hitting strong, but the Beavers are solid defensively as well. Thomas is at second base and Yeo is at shortstop.
“Taylor expected to be our second baseman but I put him over at shortstop in our first game and he has taken that on ever since,’’ Kochis said of Yeo, a junior. “He’s done a good job of jumping into that role and embracing it.’’
Raney, a junior outfielder, is the fastest player on the Woodland team according to his coach, an attribute that helps both on offense and defense.
Junior Cooper Lucas is Woodland’s catcher.
“He does a great job back there,’’ Kochis said of Lucas.
“My expectations are for us to be somewhere near the top of the league standings,’’ Kohis said. “I know the team’s expectations for themselves are really high. They made it to the state championship game and they want to go back there. If we play the way we can good things are going to happen.’’
