West Linn baseball back for more in 2023

The defending state champs expect to be back in the running in the TRL this spring.

Team: West Linn baseball

Coach: Joe Monahan

Team Leaders: The 2023 Lions — the reigning Class 6A state champions — will be led by junior catcher Ryan Vandenbrink (a second-team all-state pick in 2022), senior pitcher Drew Talavs (another second-team all-state pick from ‘22) and senior pitcher Drake Gabel (an honorable mention all-stater).

Vandenbrink “is a strong leader for us. He’s started at catcher since he was a freshman and is committed to OSU,” said West Linn coach Joe Monahan, the 2022 Class 6A Coach of the Year, adding that Talavs “always has a strong presence on the mound and leads by example.”

The Lineup: Pitchers — Talavs, Gabel, junior Gabe Howard, junior Blake Crawford, senior Max Allen. Catcher — Vandenbrink. First base — Senior Jake Holmes. Second base — Senior Tyson Smith. Shortstop — Sophomore Danny Wideman. Third base — Senior Jackson Curdy. Outfield — Gabel, Howard, sophomore Barone Naone. Utility — Junior Mitch Rowe. Designated hitter — Sophomore Ryan Holmes.

Also ready for varsity time are: junior Mitchell Rowe; junior Ethan Simshauser; junior Devin Martin; senior Drew Ness; senior Aidan Duea; and sophomore Ryan Holmes.

Outlook: “The key to our success will be developing two or three sophomores to fill in at key positions on the field,” Monahan said. “We will need to do the little things well and step up on defense and (build our) pitching depth.”

League race: “Our league is the toughest in the state,” Monahan said. “Last year, we had four of the final eight teams and three of the final four. (but) I expect us to be in the mix for the league title along with Lakeridge, LO and Tualatin.”

See the Lake Oswego team preview by clicking here.

See the Lakeridge team preview by clicking here.

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