Chris J.

LINCOLN CITY—Heritage Hills returns six starters from last season’s 22-7 baseball team.

The Patriots will also return 1 of 2 head coaches.

Last season Jay Burch and Dave Sensenbrenner co-coached the team. Burch, Heritage Hills’ athletics director, chose to not coach this season, but Sensenbrenner will stay on.

He said, “I’ve always enjoyed being around young players and have enjoyed the challenge of helping kids get to the next level. Everything a coach can do helps.

“I want kids to be able to play baseball as long as they want.”

Sensenbrenner started as an assistant for the Patriots two years ago. He’s been a baseball coach much of his life, including a nine-year stint at Castle where he led the Knights to a Class 4A state finals appearance in 2001.

He said, “We have a pretty senior-oriented team. They know what type of system I run, so I let them run with that and I just try to be the disciplinarian to stay on key.”

The Patriots graduated third baseman Cody Schmitt, catcher Matt Price and left fielder Tyler Garmon from last year’s team that had a 14-game win streak in midseason but lost three of its last five games, including a tough 9-5 sectional loss to Washington.

“I’m going to try to emphasize finishing the season this year,” Sensenbrenner said. “We’re going to be competitive.”

Seniors Ty Simpson and Drew Rosbottom lead the squad. Both made All-PAC last year.

Rosbottom was solid in center field and had a .388 batting average from the No. 3 spot. He had 11 doubles and stolen bases.

Simpson batted leadoff and had a 7-2 pitching record. He pitched 48 2⁄3 innings in 13 games with three saves, 54 strikeouts, 17 walks and a 2.30 ERA.

He could also see time catching, but Sensenbrenner warned he doesn’t like pitchers catching.

Trent Simpson and Devon Wahl will likely handle the bulk of the catching duties.

Chaz Ferguson was 6-2 on the mound last year and 6-foot-6 Garrett Van Kirk was 4-0.

Wes Ward was 2-1 and as a 3⁄4 arm-slot pitcher, he developed a nice curveball and slider.

Sensenbrenner added that he'd like to see juniors Jake Fella, Adam Price, Devon Wahl and Damon Wahl pitching too. Price is the team’s only left-handed pitcher.

Tirey Burch returns as the Patriots’ defensive leader at shortstop. He was honorable mention All-PAC last year, as was Ferguson.

Damon Wahl claimed the second-base position last season, but he may be moved to third base. Ty Simpson and Cole Burroughs are also options at second and third bases.

Ferguson will likely play first base, but Sensenbrenner said his options are open depending on who's pitching.
Nick Perkins will likely return to his right-field spot.

Left field is being “heavily competed for,” added Sensenbrenner.

“We are pretty solid pitching and hitting,” he said Sensenbrenner. “The question marks are all on defense.

“We’re going to be able to score some runs and our pitching should be able to hold teams down, but our defense is what will determine how competitive we are.”

He didn’t wager a guess at who would win the PAC but said playing each team only once makes the conference very competitive.

The Patriots are the defending PAC champions.

Sensenbrenner said, “We are a close-knit team with good leadership. We don’t have a so-called superstar, but kids who love to play baseball.”