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Whittell High baseball coach Starbuck Teevan took the Warriors to the regional and state championship games in his first season last year.
Sometimes expectations can be unfair and unreasonable.
Whittell High has yet to play its first game of the 2010 baseball season, and the Warriors are already being anointed by some as state champions.
Such lofty talk obviously raises some red flags for Warriors' second-year skipper Star buck Teevan, who is trying to prepare his club for the challenges that a grinding three-month high school season present.
“I definitely try not to get too excited,” Teevan said. “One of the goals we've set is to win a state championship, but we still have to throw strikes, play good defense and not walk guys.”
Teevan created a winning buzz and the hasty title predictions in his first season when he took a program that had won 12 of its previous 55 games to the state championship game.
“We definitely have high expectations, but last year was last year; this year is a new year,” Teevan said. “Obviously we want to build on what we started last year. We're looking at getting better and putting ourselves in position to make another run at a state championship.”
Most of the pieces are in place to warrant the high expectations: an experienced and deep pitching staff, a long list of seniors and juniors who know what it takes to win and an improved offensive attack.
“Coming off the phenomenal season from last year and we have all the same players, we have to have the right mindset and fight for every run that we need to win games,” said Whittell senior outfielder Nick Warner. “First and foremost, the league and regional titles are what we want, and everything will play on from there. The fact that we didn't get that last year leaves our mouths sour.”
The Warriors' deep pitching staff is anchored by hard-throwing senior Jordan Morgan. Opposing hitters probably don't want to hear that Morgan is 100 percent after being dominant as a junior with an ailing knee.
“He's a force to be reckoned with,” said Warner, who hit .486 last year and was first-team all-state. “He has this changeup that I can't even catch; he's so dangerous. The velocity on his fastball has increased tremendously in the offseason.”
Teevan believes that Morgan is throwing his fastball on par with hard-throwing South Tahoe senior Max DeLallo.
“Jordan throws just as hard, if not harder on some days,” Teevan said. “Jordan did a lot of work this offseason, and he has some schools looking at him.”
And maybe even some pro scouts.
Morgan has been invited to the Major League Showcase on May 23 at Bishop Manogue High in Reno.
“It's nice to see the kids from the South Shore have a real nice shot. We're looking for more exposure for Jordan, and somebody is going to see something that they like.”
As Morgan goes, the Warriors don't go. Teevan's deep pitching pool also includes talented juniors Alex Potnick, Alex Vogt and Julian Washalefsky.
“If we keep them healthy and throwing strikes, we're going to be tough to beat,” Teevan said.
Last year, pitching enabled Whittell to make a significant move up the standings. This spring, the Warriors should have an improved hitting attack led by Warner and Potnick, the team's top returning hitter. Potnick batted .525 and was selected first-team all-state.
“I expect Nick to be the leader of our team this year,” Teevan said. “He's a really good teammate for all of these other guys out here. I don't know if he can top his numbers from last year ... anything close we'll be happy with. I really hope he gets the opportunity to play at the next level.”
Besides Warner, the Warriors' improved hitting attack will include the power-hitting Potnick; the return of Morgan (he didn't bat last year); seniors Adam Laub, Cody Nelson and Sam Harris; and promising juniors Vogt and Washalefsky. Vogt was a regular in the batting order last year, while Washalefsky is expected to see more at-bats than he did a year ago.
The Warriors' offense could also receive a jolt from junior Matt Schorr, who was on the golf team last year.
“He could be our No. 5 hitter. I'm looking for big things out of him,” Teevan said. “It'll take some time to get back his timing.”
If there was any concern among Warrior followers that Teevan would parlay his enormous success in one season into a bid to become the manager of his alma mater, they don't understand his dedication to his team.
“I gave it a thought, but I'm dedicated to Whittell right now,” said Teevan, who played high school baseball across town at South Tahoe High. “I really like the community, the parents and everything about the school. For now, I'm a Warrior.”
Even though high expectations can be annoying to a coach in March, Teevan and his club have set goals consistent with the championship predictions.
“We want to win the league outright, then win the zone championship and third, we want to win a state championship,” Teevan said. “They all have individual goals, too, but as a team that is what we're looking for.”
Date Opponent Time
Friday Incline at Sm. Valley 11:30 a.m.
Saturday Sp. Creek at Sm. Valley 9:45 a.m.
Saturday At Smith Valley 1:15 p.m.
Saturday Portola at Sm. Valley 3 p.m.
Tuesday At Smith Valley 3:30 p.m.
March 19-20 Warrior tourney TBA
March 23 COLEVILLE 4:30 p.m.
March 27 ROP (DH) Noon
April 1 At Lowry (DH) 1 p.m.
April 3 At Lovelock (DH) Noon
April 13 SMITH VALLEY 4:30 p.m.
April 14 At Virginia City 3:30 p.m.
April 17 At Battle Mtn. (DH) 1 p.m.
April 20 At Coleville 3:30 p.m.
April 22 TRUCKEE 4:30 p.m.
April 24 At Incline (DH) Noon
May 1 NORTH TAHOE (DH) Noon
May 4 At Truckee 3:30 p.m.
May 5 VIRGINIA CITY 4:30 p.m.
May 8 SILVER STAGE (DH) Noon
May 14-15 Regional tournament TBA
May 21-22 State tournament TBA
Note: Whittell home games, which are played at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, are in ALL CAPS.
Whittell High has yet to play its first game of the 2010 baseball season, and the Warriors are already being anointed by some as state champions.
Such lofty talk obviously raises some red flags for Warriors' second-year skipper Star buck Teevan, who is trying to prepare his club for the challenges that a grinding three-month high school season present.
“I definitely try not to get too excited,” Teevan said. “One of the goals we've set is to win a state championship, but we still have to throw strikes, play good defense and not walk guys.”
Teevan created a winning buzz and the hasty title predictions in his first season when he took a program that had won 12 of its previous 55 games to the state championship game.
“We definitely have high expectations, but last year was last year; this year is a new year,” Teevan said. “Obviously we want to build on what we started last year. We're looking at getting better and putting ourselves in position to make another run at a state championship.”
Most of the pieces are in place to warrant the high expectations: an experienced and deep pitching staff, a long list of seniors and juniors who know what it takes to win and an improved offensive attack.
“Coming off the phenomenal season from last year and we have all the same players, we have to have the right mindset and fight for every run that we need to win games,” said Whittell senior outfielder Nick Warner. “First and foremost, the league and regional titles are what we want, and everything will play on from there. The fact that we didn't get that last year leaves our mouths sour.”
The Warriors' deep pitching staff is anchored by hard-throwing senior Jordan Morgan. Opposing hitters probably don't want to hear that Morgan is 100 percent after being dominant as a junior with an ailing knee.
“He's a force to be reckoned with,” said Warner, who hit .486 last year and was first-team all-state. “He has this changeup that I can't even catch; he's so dangerous. The velocity on his fastball has increased tremendously in the offseason.”
Teevan believes that Morgan is throwing his fastball on par with hard-throwing South Tahoe senior Max DeLallo.
“Jordan throws just as hard, if not harder on some days,” Teevan said. “Jordan did a lot of work this offseason, and he has some schools looking at him.”
And maybe even some pro scouts.
Morgan has been invited to the Major League Showcase on May 23 at Bishop Manogue High in Reno.
“It's nice to see the kids from the South Shore have a real nice shot. We're looking for more exposure for Jordan, and somebody is going to see something that they like.”
As Morgan goes, the Warriors don't go. Teevan's deep pitching pool also includes talented juniors Alex Potnick, Alex Vogt and Julian Washalefsky.
“If we keep them healthy and throwing strikes, we're going to be tough to beat,” Teevan said.
Last year, pitching enabled Whittell to make a significant move up the standings. This spring, the Warriors should have an improved hitting attack led by Warner and Potnick, the team's top returning hitter. Potnick batted .525 and was selected first-team all-state.
“I expect Nick to be the leader of our team this year,” Teevan said. “He's a really good teammate for all of these other guys out here. I don't know if he can top his numbers from last year ... anything close we'll be happy with. I really hope he gets the opportunity to play at the next level.”
Besides Warner, the Warriors' improved hitting attack will include the power-hitting Potnick; the return of Morgan (he didn't bat last year); seniors Adam Laub, Cody Nelson and Sam Harris; and promising juniors Vogt and Washalefsky. Vogt was a regular in the batting order last year, while Washalefsky is expected to see more at-bats than he did a year ago.
The Warriors' offense could also receive a jolt from junior Matt Schorr, who was on the golf team last year.
“He could be our No. 5 hitter. I'm looking for big things out of him,” Teevan said. “It'll take some time to get back his timing.”
If there was any concern among Warrior followers that Teevan would parlay his enormous success in one season into a bid to become the manager of his alma mater, they don't understand his dedication to his team.
“I gave it a thought, but I'm dedicated to Whittell right now,” said Teevan, who played high school baseball across town at South Tahoe High. “I really like the community, the parents and everything about the school. For now, I'm a Warrior.”
Even though high expectations can be annoying to a coach in March, Teevan and his club have set goals consistent with the championship predictions.
“We want to win the league outright, then win the zone championship and third, we want to win a state championship,” Teevan said. “They all have individual goals, too, but as a team that is what we're looking for.”
Date Opponent Time
Friday Incline at Sm. Valley 11:30 a.m.
Saturday Sp. Creek at Sm. Valley 9:45 a.m.
Saturday At Smith Valley 1:15 p.m.
Saturday Portola at Sm. Valley 3 p.m.
Tuesday At Smith Valley 3:30 p.m.
March 19-20 Warrior tourney TBA
March 23 COLEVILLE 4:30 p.m.
March 27 ROP (DH) Noon
April 1 At Lowry (DH) 1 p.m.
April 3 At Lovelock (DH) Noon
April 13 SMITH VALLEY 4:30 p.m.
April 14 At Virginia City 3:30 p.m.
April 17 At Battle Mtn. (DH) 1 p.m.
April 20 At Coleville 3:30 p.m.
April 22 TRUCKEE 4:30 p.m.
April 24 At Incline (DH) Noon
May 1 NORTH TAHOE (DH) Noon
May 4 At Truckee 3:30 p.m.
May 5 VIRGINIA CITY 4:30 p.m.
May 8 SILVER STAGE (DH) Noon
May 14-15 Regional tournament TBA
May 21-22 State tournament TBA
Note: Whittell home games, which are played at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, are in ALL CAPS.
