Wolverines enter the season quiet and confident
Competition has been the mantra for the Bellevue Wolverines baseball team during early -season practice sessions.
Bellevue head coach Tate Seefried, who is in his seventh season leading the program, said there are plenty of starting spots still up for grabs.
“I have been here for seven years and this is the first year where there are battles for positions. Even on the pitching staff, there are some openings for a possible starter and relief pitchers,” Seefried told the Reporter on March 5. “Our coaching staff has our work cut out for us, but these kids work hard. By the time the first game comes around we will be ready to roll. I’m confident in these guys.”
Seefried said Ben Anger will be the Wolverines ace on the hill and outfielder Al Aurelio will be one of the most formidable players in the batting order.
“We’re expecting big things from them,” Seefried said.
Seefried said his squad hasn’t forgetten their 6-5 loss to the Lake Washington Kangaroos in a loser-out, tiebreaker playoff game last May.
“The season ended a lot sooner than we expected, but we had a great year. This year is the first year that we have a quiet bunch, but they show what they have on the field. If they lead by example then they don’t really have to say much. They’re focused, and the senior class wants to leave a legacy. We want to get out of KingCo (tournament) and try to make a run to regionals and so forth. We’ll see what happens,” Seefried said.
Head coach: Tate Seefried
Last year: 17-5 overall; finished tied for first place in regular season in the KingCo 3A/2A Division
Key returners: Al Aurelio, CF; Connor Cirillo, SS; Ben Anger, P/3B; Michael Fernandez, C
Small ball the focus for softball team
A new face will be leading the Bellevue Wolverines softball team from the dugout this season.
Marty Martin, who has coached club softball for the past 28 years, is excited about his first year coaching at the high school level and is especially excited about this year’s Wolverines team. He says he is impressed with the roster he inherited.
“I saw this team in the playoffs last year and I know most of these players from junior ball. I think for being as young as they are, they are all very talented kids which is great,” he said.
Martin said the Wolverines will be formidable on the base-paths this year.
“They didn’t do any small ball (timely bunting/stealing bases) last year. We’re really working hard on it right now. It is a big part of the game. We want to make sure we polish that up right now,” Martin said.
The Wolverines focus on bunting during each and every practice session. Martin also wants every player on the Wolverines roster to be as fast as possible. Leading the way in that regard will be Bellevue outfielder Montana Jones, who was part of the Bellevue Wolverines girls basketball team that advanced to the Class 3A state tournament and who will be one of the fastest players in the KingCo 3A/2A Conference.
“We’re doing a ton of speed work and are teaching them how to run. It is looking good right now,” Martin said.
Head coach: Marty Martin
Last year: 10-10 overall (Finished in fourth place in the KingCo 3A/2A Division)
Key players: Mary Catherine Tolbert, C; Kama Boswell, SS/OF; Montana Jones, OF; Kelly Treves, P.
