 "Photo: The Olympian")
The Olympic College Rangers baseball team, under head coach Ryan Parker has been improving every year since he has coached and hope to continue that this season.
The Rangers have 16 returning players this season, a large number compared to only seven last season. The Rangers have been practicing since August doing indoor workouts and have been to the West Sound Performance Training Center.
“Because of all the rain in January we were forced to be inside a lot,” said Parker. “But now with the nice weather we have had we have finally been able to be outside on a consistent basis.”
Of the 16 returning players several of them will play a vital role in the teams’ season. Jared Vera and Ryan Hastings were two of the Rangers’ top pitchers last season and will be two of the top starting pitchers this season.
“It is huge having (Vera and Hastings) starting,” said Parker. “They have the experience which is very good.”
Vera and Hastings are not the only two key returnees however, Bo Folkinga is the top returning bat in the line-up who brings not only power to the middle of the line-up but speed as well.
Todd Dalrymple is another returning player who will see some time behind the plate this season.
The Rangers have a strong outfield as well led by Shawn Stayton and Chris Reilly.
“16 is a lot compared to previous years,” said Parker. “We have come a log way in getting guys to come back and it helps big time having the leadership and it helps as a team.”
The Rangers have several strong newcomers as well. Left-handed pitcher Josh Arnold from Las Vegas will be a starting pitcher for the Rangers this season. Keita Murakami is a sophomore but is a newcomer to this team will also be a pitcher this season.
Anthony Rinard is an outfielder from Bozeman, Mont. who will be a key player this season, and Nick Bowman is a solid shortstop from Idaho Falls.
“Rinard swings the bat real well and covers a lot of ground in the outfield,” said Parker.
“Bowman is going to be the starter, who is a solid defensive player which is key in this league. If he gets his bat going a little more than he has he can be a solid player all around.”
The Rangers’ strength this year is their starting pitching and the defense has much improved since last season. But Parker said the overall power needs improvement.
“It’s hard to find kids with consistent wood-bat home run power in this league, but our power is better than it has been in the past,” said Parker. “Also our field doesn’t play as a power field, the gaps are long and high fence so it’s really not a home run park.”
The Rangers are hoping to have a better season than last season and they have the talent to make the playoffs. If the Rangers win 18 games they will be better than last season.
The Rangers biggest problem last season was hitting with runners in scoring position and it is a trend they cannot continue this season if they want to make the playoffs.
This season the Rangers are strong defensively up the middle. The bullpen is also looking strong for the Rangers, last season they really had just a couple guys out of the bullpen that could get guys out, this season nearly everyone out of the pen can get guys out.
“We need to compete everyday, and give ourselves a chance every game,” said Parker.
“We will see where that puts us, we have the talent to make the playoffs, and we have the chemistry, now it’s just about execution; things like that.”
The Rangers kick off their season Saturday with a double-header against Pierce Community College at Pierce then Sunday is the Rangers’ home opener.
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