Baseball: Hazen season preview

Published 4:34 pm Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Hazen baseball team has gone through some big changes in the offseason, but returns state-experienced and ready to take on the Seamount.

“This whole group loves to compete,” said Hazen coach Gary Jacobs. “They each worked hard in the offseason and are clearly bigger, stronger and faster than last year.”

The changes for the Highlander baseball team start at the top. Jacobs replaces Chris Chiechi as the head coach. Jacobs has coached select baseball for 13 years and played at Hazen himself.

“There is something really special about coming home and coaching the team I used to play for,” Jacobs said. “Everyone seems to be very excited about the future of Hazen baseball.”

Another big change is the loss of league MVP Nathan Bunch. Bunch now pitches for Brigham Young University. Hazen also lost first baseman Ryan Anderson and pitcher C.J. Waite.

Hazen finished 13-7 last season, good for second place in the Seamount. The Highlanders also made the 3A state tournament for the first time in 15 years. The team lost to Issaquah in the first round.

Hazen has a number of talented players returning. Senior catcher Kyle Nation made the all-league second team last season and returns as one of the Highlanders’ captains this year.

Nation led Hazen in homeruns (2) and RBIs (13) last season.

Brendan Campbell also made the all-league second team last season. The junior third baseman will be a key on offense.

“He’s done a great job with his hitting and we’ll probably look to him to anchor the offense,” Jacobs said.

Campbell hit .426 last season, with 20 hits in 54 at bats. He led Hazen with 19 runs and tied for the team lead with four doubles.

Kevin Schwab made all-league honorable mention last season and will start at shortstop. Junior John Wall will start at second.

Wall hit .292 and scored 17 runs last season.

First base will rotate between Justin Jacobs, Chase Gordon and David Green, depending on who is pitching.

Anthony Pina, Nick Sharp, Derek Cline, Chadd Garton and Bo Worgan will man the outfield.

Bo Worgan (3-1 last year), Justin Jacobs (3-1), Cline (1-0) and Gordon give Hazen good depth to build on for the pitching rotation.

“One of the great things about this squad is we have some depth,” Jacobs said. “A lot of guys with playoff experience and a lot of good leadership.”

Hazen plays next at Lindbergh Tuesday at 3:30.