Spring is right around the corner which means the Tahoma High baseball team is back between the lines.

Coach Russ Hayden is in his 19th year at the helm of the Bears baseball program and carries a career record coming into the season of 241-147-4.

Hayden said the team has only just started practice and played one game, but, the early results were impressive.

Tahoma, which plays in the South Puget Sound League 4A North Division, lined up against Rogers from the SPSL 4A South, Saturday on the road at Heritage Field. The Bears came away with a 9-3 victory.

Hayden said “I like our pitchers.”

There was plenty to like. The Bears four pitchers struck out 19 in the seven innings.

Tayler Saucedo picked up the win and racked up 11 Ks in four innings.

“He had a great start Saturday,” Hayden said.

Lefty Spencer Hobson closed out the game striking out the top of the line up.

The Bears ace last year, Chris Kerwood, has been nursing a sore shoulder, but Hayden said he should be ready to throw this week.

A painful loss for Tahoma defensively, at the plate and on the mound is Jordan Johansen. The senior strained his elbow and is expected to miss most or all of the regular season.

Johansen was slated to play short stop and work into the pitching rotation.

A couple of returning players Hayden expects to be at the top of their games is senior catcher Brian Olson and outfielder Tyler Watkins, also a senior.

Olson hit .380 last year and Watkins swung for .386 batting average.

Players to watch during the season include three juniors, outfielders Connor Cloyd, Jason Smith and short stop Ryan Malone.

Sophomore Reed Johnson will be playing the hot corner at third and short stop.

Senior Chris Seubert will be on the hill and in the outfield.

The next scheduled action for the Bears is 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kent-Meridian.

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com or (425)432-1209 ext. 5050.

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