LYNDEN

LIONS

Coach: Steve Petersen

Last year: Finished first in the Class 2A Northwest Conference standings with a 12-1 record. ... Earned a share of the NWC title with Sedro-Woolley. ... Ended season after going 0-2 in the Class 2A State Tournament.

Players to watch: Brooke Bonsen (sr., P); Taylor VanDalen (sr., OF); Trisha Snydar (jr., 2B/C); Mandy Warner (so., C/OF); Tanna Benson (so., P/1B)

Outlook: The 2013 Lions don't look much different from the 2012 version. Lynden lost just two players to graduation. The club returns All-Northwest Conference Player of the Year Brooke Bonsen to the pitching circle, first-team catcher Mandy Warner and second-team selections Trisha Snydar and Taylor VanDalen. By no means, though, is coach Steve Petersen relying on experience alone to carry the Lions to a return trip to the state tournament. "We are pretty experienced, but that is pretty indicative of the whole league," he said. "The whole league has a lot of good players." Lynden certainly has its fair share. Players like Bonsen, Warner, Snydar, VanDalen, Destinee Matter and Tanna Benson can all swing the bat, and Bonsen will be relied on heavily once more to put together strong outings from the rubber. Petersen said Lynden's depth will also be beneficial. When asked if the Lions have a chip on their shoulder after winning 18 straight then going two-and-out during state, Peterson said "I'd call it a really good focus." Like always, Petersen said timely hitting and strong pitching and defense will be key. "It's pretty simple baseball 101," he said.

2013 ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Pos.

1 Mandy Warner So. C

2 Brooke Bonsen Sr. P/1B

4 Courtney Davis Sr. OF

5 Michelle Navis Sr. OF

6 Jenna Bonsen So. IF

7 Kaitlyn Brown Sr. SS

8 Kelsey Walczak Jr. IF

9 Trisha Snydar Jr. 2B

11 Taylor VanDalen Sr. OF

14 Catyler Alex Fr. C/IF

21 Ally Dahm Fr. IF

22 Tanna Benson So. P/IF

23 Emily Amos Jr. OF

24 Destinee Matter Sr. OF

27 Hannah Rothwell So. P/OF

2013 SCHEDULE

March 9 at Interlake 2 p.m.

March 12 Nooksack Valley 4 p.m.

March 14 at Ferndale 4 p.m.

March 16 Orcas Island 1 p.m.

March 18 Sehome 4 p.m.

March 21 at Meridian* 4 p.m.

March 23 at Anacortes (Daniels) 10 a.m.

March 23 at Sehome (Daniels) noon

March 26 at B Ellingham* 4 p.m.

March 29 Squalicum* 4 p.m.

April 9 at Burlington-Edison 4 p.m.

April 12 Anacortes* 4 p.m.

April 16 at Nooksack Valley* 4:30 p.m.

April 18 Mount Baker* 4 p.m.

April 26 Lynden Christian* 4 p.m.

April 29 at Sehome (Frank Geri)* 4 p.m.

May 3 at Blaine (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Blaine (Pipeline) 6:30 p.m.

May 6 Sedro-Woolley* 4 p.m.

May 7 Ferndale* 4 p.m.

*NWC game

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.