Yelm High School’s head baseball coach Dakota Hill knows that iron sharpens iron, and with three competitive ball clubs on the non-conference schedule, he knew the Tornados’ early season matchups would be no pleasure cruise.
In Yelm’s season opener on Thursday, March 13, the Tornados defeated the Steilacoom Sentinels 13-5 behind the hot bat of outfielder Barrett Schnetz. The following day, on Friday, March 14, Yelm was handed its first loss of the season as the Tenino Beavers knocked off the Tornados 8-3. The Tornados were handed their second consecutive loss of the season, as the Camas Papermakers came to town on Saturday, March 22, and defeated Yelm 11-2.
Following the three early-season matchups, Hill told the Nisqually Valley News that he’s OK with the results thus far.
“We scheduled some pretty tough teams because I think that is the best way to see what you need to work on. That’s the best way to get better. Camas was a top eight team last year, and Tenino was third in (1A) State,” Hill said. “We do have some stuff to work on getting into league. I’m very happy with how we competed.”
The coach thought his Tornados swung the bat well throughout the first two games, but got a little too complacent against Camas. He said his team gave up too many free bases against the Papermakers.
“I think we just have to control ourselves, and controlling the zone will come. We want to make sure we are loose, relaxed and not too tense,” Hill said. “I trust our pitchers are able to execute when they are in control of themselves first. We are going to work on some mental stuff this week and have that dialed in.”
With the non-conference schedule in the rearview mirror, the Tornados will turn their attention to the 4A South Puget Sound League. In the team’s first time around in its new league, the Tornados kicked off conference action on Wednesday, March 26 against the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles. Results of the SPSL matchup were not available prior to the Nisqually Valley News going to publication.
Yelm’s following SPSL matchups are set for 4 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at home against Rogers High School, 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, at Olympia High School against the Bears, and at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, at Yelm High School to conclude the double header against Olympia. The Tornados will hit the road again at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 4, for a matchup against the Emerald Ridge Jaguars.
“I expect us to compete (in the SPSL),” Hill said. “I think we will be great as long as we play within our identity and play clean baseball.”
Early into the season, Hill highlighted a duo of Tornados for their performances thus far. The first acknowledged was the recent Washington Prep Baseball Report hitter of the week, senior Barrett Schnetz.
“Barrett Schnetz has been playing really well. His quality AB percentage is high and that’s what we are looking for. He also pitched well versus Steilacoom,” Hill said. “We have also played really good defense outside of one play against Camas. So, I’m happy with all our guys there.”
He also highlighted junior infielder and pitcher Parker Myers, who has been hitting well and producing high quality at-bats according to his coach.
