MERIDIAN

TROJANS

Coach: Steve Slesk

Last year: Finished tied for eighth in the NWC (5-8). Won the 1A Northwest District Tournament title. Finished third in the tri-district tournament. Lost to Naches Valley in the 1A state semifinals but placed third with a 16-13 record overall.

Players to watch: Chad Richter (sr. P/1B/OF), Jeremy Brockmann (sr. IF/P), Tucker Bronkema (sr. IF)

Outlook: The Trojans' third-place finish last year was their third-straight at state, and there's nothing more they'd like to do than get a win in the semifinals and play for a state title for the second time in program history. "We've got some potential," Slesk said in a phone interview. "Obviously, we've got a long ways to go to get there. We have a lot of guys with experience. I think we'll hit a little better than we did last year, and we've got all our key fielders back, but pitching will be the key." Fortunately, Meridian has two talented returning starters in Richter and Brockmann. Davis Phillips will be their primary catcher, while Jake Plagerman will be crucial on the right side of the infield and Tanner Tutterow should be solid at short. All three also likely will see time on the mound. Kyle Linderman could anchor an outfield that is still developing. "Not to slight our hitting, but we didn't kill the ball last year," Slesk said. "But as we got more ABs down the stretch and we got kids back, we got better. But pitching and defense is what we like to build the team on."

2013 ROSTER

Player Yr. Pos.

David Anderson Jr. OF/2B/P

Jeremy Brockmann Sr. IF/P

Tucker Bronkema Sr. IF

Jamison Hodge Jr. OF/3B

Josh Hosick Jr. OF

Kyle Linderman Jr. OF

Davis Phillips Jr. C/P

Jake Plagerman Jr. IF/P

Chad Richter Sr. P/1B/OF

Walker Sundstrom Jr. OF

Tanner Tutterow So. P/SS

2013 SCHEDULE

March 11 Sultan 4 p.m.

March 13 La Conner 4 p.m.

March 14 Concrete 4 p.m.

March 22 Blaine 4 p.m.

March 23 Renton 3 p.m.

March 27 at Lynden* 4 p.m.

March 29 Nooksack Valley* 4 p.m.

April 1 at Sedro-Woolley* 4 p.m.

April 4 at Cascade 1 p.m.

April 5 at Brewster 1 p.m.

April 8 Bellingham* 4 p.m.

April 10 Squalicum* 4 p.m.

April 12 at Friday Harbor 4:45 p.m.

April 15 at Blaine* 4:30 p.m.

April 17 Anacortes* 4 p.m.

April 19 Ferndale* 4 p.m.

April 22 at Burlington-Edison* 4 p.m.

April 24 at Lynden Christian* 4:30 p.m.

April 26 Sehome* 4 p.m.

April 29 at Mount Baker* 4:30 p.m.

*NWC game

Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.