Name: Kelso High School
City and State: Kelso, WA
Head Coach
Tyler Parsons
Assistant Coaches
Steve Amrine, Wayne Lindeman
Who are some key returning players for the team and what do you hope to see from each of them this year?
Easton Marshall- Junior outfielder/pitcher. Easton predominantly played centerfield for us last year, starting all 24 games for us out there. This year, he will move into a starting pitching role as well, and be one of the center pieces on the mound for us. He had a huge season for us last year as a sophomore, hitting .305 with 13 stolen bases for us. We will look for him to continue his dominance on the base paths, and all over the field for us this year.
Brett Hoover- Junior infielder. Brett played all 24 games for us last year at shortstop as a sophomore and will do that again for us this year. Brett’s leadership in the middle of the field was a huge reason we turned 21 double plays last year. Not only is Brett great defensively, his bat is a huge anchor for us. His sophomore year he hit .308 and scored a team high 19 runs for us. We will look for him to continue that leadership throughout 2023.
Zeke Smith- Zeke was a lockdown defender, and power arm for us out of the bullpen last year. Being one of the fastest guys on the roster (along with Easton Marshall), Zeke is a dangerous threat on the base paths whenever he is there. This year, we will look for him to take on a more prominent role out of the bullpen l, and ideally move into more of a closer role.
Who are some key players that are moving up in the program and can make an impact? What do you hope to see from each of them this year?
Losing 12 seniors last year, this list will be very long! Some of these guys aren’t underclassmen, but this will be there first year at the varsity level. Lots of guys emerging to the varsity level for the first time!
Cale Franzen- Senior outfielder/catcher. Cale was a role player for us in 2022 and shined when given the opportunity at the varsity level. Cale is a natural born athlete, both on the football field and on the diamond. This year Cale will move into an everyday role for us, both as a corner outfielder, and as a backstop for us behind the dish. His physicality and determination to be successful is something we look for in every Hilander and I am super excited to see how Cale’s year pans out.
Matt Swanson- infielder/DH. Matt will also move into an everyday role for us this year, both at 1B and at DH. He is a big right handed power bat for us. He crushed 4 home runs for us last year from the end of high school through the summer, and led our summer team in batting average. I am extremely excited to see what Matt can do in his first full year at the varsity level!
Connor Wesemann- junior infielder/pitcher. Connor was a role player for us last year and filled in at first base when needed. This year will be much different. In 2023 he will be a big piece of our pitching staff and also a full time 1B/DH that swaps between him and Matt (listed above). Connor had a huge summer for us with our summer program and was 2nd in batting average. I am extremely excited to see what Connor can do on the mound for us this year. He has put in a lot of work over the last year and a half to get where he wants to physically and I am excited to see it pay off!
Landen Patterson- Senior infielder. Landen will move into a full time infield role for us this year predominantly at second base. He will replace a senior infielder from last year. Our defense was a huge help for us getting as far as we did last year, and with Landen entering into the infield, my confidence continues to grow in it! Landen is another guy that devotes a ton of time to his craft, and after his successful summer with us, I am extremely excited to see his abilities at the Varsity level!
Logan Barker- Junior infielder/pitcher. Logan will enter 2023 with an opportunity to be a big part of our pitching staff in multiple roles, as a starter or reliever. Losing 3 starting arms from last year, we are looking for Logan to come in and continue to compete the way he does!
Bryce Collins- Freshman pitcher/infielder/outfielder. Bryce comes into 2023 for his first year in a Hilander uniform. I have gotten to see Bryce play throughout last summer, and I am super excited to see his abilities at the high school level.
Zaden Hoover- Freshman infielder/outfielder. Zaden (the younger brother of Brett listed above) will also begin his high school career in 2023. I have gotten to watch Zaden in the summer, and we are extremely excited to see his abilities at the high school level!
What areas will you be focusing on early in the season?
Anytime you lose 12 seniors, the goal is always to find a way to continue the tradition of how we do things, and find leaders throughout the players. With a group that is super Junior heavy, the goal is always to set the standard early, and maintain that standard throughout the year. Our early season is always focused on refining skills from all positions, as well as developing arms and building the stamina for a 3 month, 20 game sprint. We look to scrimmage as much as we can and prepare our guys for game like scenarios as much as we can.
What are the expectations and goals for the team in 2023?
Coming off a state appearance for us last year, the goal is always the same. Get into the playoffs and continue winning. Losing 12 seniors from last year hurts, but I have so much confidence in the guys we have this year to bear down and find ways to win ballgames. We returned some key pieces from last year that still remember the feeling of losing to Stanwood in the first round of the state tournament, and the hope is those guys will push those around them to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I am super excited to get out there this spring with such a talented and hard working group of young men. Bring on 2023!