BONNEY LAKE BASEBALL

Talent abounds this spring as the Bonney Lake Panthers begin their march through a campaign they hope leads once again to the state’s Sweet 16.

Last year’s squad made it to the regional round of state, but split two games and failed to advance.

The good news is, many of the same players are back. And topping that list is reigning league MVP Matthew Gretler. Also returning, having earned all-league honors a year ago, are: Kaiden Hammond, a first team pitcher; Peyton Brock, second team catcher; Austin Friis, second team pitcher; Tyler McClain, second team outfielder; Braydon Tressler, second team infielder; Adam Fahsel and Gavyn Tinsley, both honorable mention outfielders; and Caden Gatchet, an honorable mention pitcher.

Also on the early-season varsity roster are Garrett Bray, Logan DeLapp, Blake Elgas, Gavin Ludlow, Gage Miller, Trey Miller, Dylan Perdue, Ethan Stevens-Day and Isaiah Teets.

BONNEY LAKE FASTPITCH

Expectations are running high on the Bonney Lake High campus, but that’s what comes with a recent run of success and a lineup dotted with standout players.

Familiar faces return to a team that battered opponents throughout the regular season and then won three of five games at the state tournament, hauling home a fourth-place trophy from the Class 3A state tournament.

Here’s a look at some of the talented Panthers back in the fold for coach Andrew Sage.

Brook Nelson excels everywhere, starting on the mound where she has a career ERA of 0.88 and continuing at the plate where she is a career .640 hitter. Heading into her junior campaign, Nelson has twice been honored with league Player of the Year honors.

But Nelson is just one piece of the successful puzzle. Jessica Clark is a four-year varsity starter, three-year all-conference player and career .385 hitter; Raelyn Kimmel is another four-year varsity starter and three-year all-conference player who carries a career .365 batting average; Hailee Haggins is a three-year varsity starter at catcher and returning first-team all conference selection;

Gabby Jones is a three-year varsity starter with a career .58 ERA and .367 batting average; and Shelby Welfinger is a three-year varsity starter and returning all-conference player.

Sage also is counting on contributions from sophomores Grace Brown, who was on the varsity roster last year and started the last three games of the state tournament at shortstop due to injury, and Anna Hook, another varsity player from last year who handles first base and provides power at the plate.

The rest of Sage’s varsity roster this spring includes senior Madalyn West; junior Talia Demich; and freshmen Brynn Nelson, Desiree Solberg and Sanela Stajic.