Red Lake baseball looks to break through in win column

Golf team sees bright future

By John J. McRae

Pioneer Sports Writer

      The Red Lake High School baseball team has one main goal this spring–break through with a victory.

      Second year head coach Jason Niemi saw last season as a learning experience for the youthful Warriors as the squad went through an 0-16 campaign.

      “We’re still a young baseball team trying to build a foundation for the program,” Niemi said. “We had several young players contribute on the varsity level last year and our goal is to keep and develop those young players to build a nucleus.”

      Niemi reported the RLHS administration, including superintendent Stuart Desjarlait and athletic director Don Hazeman have been very supportive of the baseball program, a necessary ingredient to the program’s hope for success.

      “Their assistance has helped us get players interested in the sport and assured we have the necessary proper equipment.”

      While Red Lake will be inexperienced at the varsity level again this year the squad does feature seven returning letterwinners. This list includes senior Challenge Johnson (shortstop, pitcher), senior Delwin Brown (first base, pitcher), senior Clayton Roberts (second base), senior Craig Smith (outfield, first base), freshman Buster Graves (third base, catcher, outfield), freshman Julian Demaris (first base, pitcher, outfield) and eighth grader Reggie Graves (second base, pitcher).

      Challenge Johnson will anchor the Red Lake pitching corps. However, the number of available pitchers with experience is thin and Red Lake could struggle in the department when Johnson isn’t available for mound duty.

      Niemi was encouraged in that the Warriors were able to hit the ball fairly well last spring and generated runs. The offense should continue to be a strength with run production high enough to keep Red Lake in the game if the pitching can hold up.

      Niemi was also pleased that the numbers in the program improved this year with 15 players out for the squad. “Our numbers are getting better and we hope the result will continue as we strive to be more competitive,” he said.

      In addition to the returnees, this year’s roster includes senior Joe Jackson (second base, shortstop), senior Truxton Anderson (outfield, pitcher), senior Donald Good (outfield, first base, pitcher), junior Kenny Lussier (third base, shortstop), junior Willy May (outfield), sophomore Gordon Norris (second base, outfield), sophomore Darryl Feather (outfield) and freshman Julius Cloud (catcher).

      The season openening starters for the first game of the 2004 campaign April 13, against Blackduck was expected to be Reggie Graves pitching and Cloud behind the plate, Brown at first, Roberts at second, Johnson at short and Lussier at third, with outfielders Smith, Anderson and Good.

BOYS GOLF

      Brad Castle returns for his eighth year as coach of the Warriors.

      Red Lake loses Julian Lussier but Castle says due to growing numbers and ability the future is bright.

      “There is a strong middle school age group of golfers,” he said. “They should be contenders in the next two years.”

      The Warriors compete in the Northern Pines Conference and Section 8A.