Bulldogs Strive To Contend In League

DAYTON -- Sal Benavides could be in a panic about the upcoming Bulldogs baseball season.

His no. 1 pitcher, senior Colton Bickelhaupt, dislocated his shoulder during the basketball season. Bickelhaupt was throwing at speeds in the mid 70s (miles per hour) last year and he developed an effective curve ball .

But the head coach isn't too stressed. The good news is that Bickelhaupt might be back on the mound in a few weeks, before the team has to play any league games that matter.

And, Benavides has some pitching depth on his bench to hold him over.

Fellow senior Hayden Fullerton has an impressive arm, as does sophomore Lowden Smith.

That kind of versatility, and the team's defensive strength behind the plate and in the outfield, gives the Dogs' head coach enough confidence to strike an optimistic note about 2012.

"I'm positive about the season and so are the kids," he said. "Let the chips fall where they may."

Benavides said he looks for his seniors "to step up this year," hoping the winning momentum from the fall football and winter basketball seasons will carry over onto the diamonds of spring.

So far, the players' efforts in practice show they're serious about giving it their best.

"I think we'll be competitive," he said. "They know what we have to do. You gotta show up and play the game."

On offense, he's hoping to get runs out of his star pitchers and Garett Turner. Bickelhaupt, who's also the team's no. 1 hitter, isn't slowed down by his injury when it comes to kissing the leather.

The shoulder only bothers him when throwing the ball and he's doing physical therapy to get his arm back.

Turner bats 400 plus, while Benavides is eyeing sophomore and left-handed hitter Robert Loper to be a starter as well.

Behind the plate on defense, Joey Schlachter is the first catcher, followed by Fullerton and Logan Hays. Hays is the main point on first base. Wyatt Frame is solid on second, a position for which Johnnie Sanchez is a backup.

Guy Spellinger can rotate on a number of positions defensively: second, third and catcher.

In the outfield, Benavides is counting on Ian Smay, Stevie Gonzalez, Christian Warner, Isaiah Lambert and Loper.

The ranks on the team aren't plentiful, so Benavides opened it up to eighth graders and got interest from middle school student Joey Yenney to play ball for the Bulldogs.

To make it to the playoffs, the Bulldogs will have to conquer tough-looking teams including DeSales, Asotin and Liberty Christian. WP, led by Zach Bartlow on the mound, will be another force to reckon with. Last year, the team lost to the Asotin Panthers in the playoffs.

That's why it's critical to spare Bickelhaupt during the first weeks of the season when the teams play mostly outside their league, Benavides said.

"I'd rather have him for the last 12 to 14 games of the season," he said.