Name: Whitworth University
City and State: Spokane, WA
Head Coach
CJ Perry
Assistant Coaches
JT Phelan, Jeff Simmelink, Logan Kurucz, Evan Norden, Dylan Stakelin, Jacob Silva
Who are some key returning position players and what do you hope to see from them this year?
Dawson Warner- starting 3B for his entire career. Anchor the line-up. High OBP guy.
Aidan Morrison- starting OF for three years. Brings gap to gap pop and speed to top of the order. Plus athlete as a defender.
Riley Cissne- started every game at catcher for us last year. High OBP guy. Incredibly gritty and competitive.
Who are your key returning pitchers and why?
Hunter Dryden- Ace of the staff last year. Plus competitor with upper 80-low 90s FB and a solid breaker. 2nd team All NWC in 2022.
Dylan Bishop- returns from ACL surgery. 2nd team All NWC in 2021. Led the WCL in wins for Yakima in 2021.
Hunter Williams- Our best bullpen weapon last year. Honorable mention NWC with a plus 12/6 CB.
Do you have an incoming impact freshman or transfers that will help the team in 2023?
Gio Costello RHP- Fr. Granada (CA). Austin Paul, Fr. MIF, Redmond HS (WA)
What was the focus and what things did you see from the team in the fall?
High level of focus. Greatly increased depth on the mound. Strong defensive group.
What are the expectations and goals for the team entering the season?
Expectations for this group are to get back to the NWC conference tournament and compete for a conference title. Re-affirm Whitworth baseball as one of the top team in the NWC again.