ILWACO – The Ilwaco junior varsity baseball team, under the direction of coach Dave Cook, completed its third season ever. Under Cook the JVs showed continuous and steady improvement, although Trico-League opponents proved to be too strong for the young Fishermen, who went 0-12 for the campaign.

Jason Hall was the only returnee from last season’s JV team, and he pitched, caught, and improved his hitting and base running enough to earn a starting nod for the varsity his final two games. Fellow sophomore Kelsey Cutting improved his hitting and defensive outfield skills.

Michel Perez was voted unanimously as most improved player on the JV squad as an outfielder, and Cody Chalker was the top pitcher and infielder according to Cook. Chalker also earned a starting role at third base for the Fishermen varsity late in the season before illness derailed him.

C.J. Hawkinson led the junior varsity in on-base percentage and, unofficially, in bumps and bruises as a second baseman. Paul Blaylock pitched, caught, and played infield with aplomb for the JVs; he too started two games for the Fishermen varsity at season’s end, another tribute to the progress Cook helped his players achieve.

Lefty Casey Heagy made giant strides as a pitcher and first baseman during the year, and Jeff Nesbitt also improved as a defensive player at first base.

Kyler Pratt pitched, caught, and played third base, improving his batting throughout the campaign. Junior Talancon showed a great deal of ability as an infielder and outfielder; Cory Padgett played well in the outfield and showed promise as a pitcher with a live arm. Alan Mossman saw playing time in the outfield for the young Fishermen.

Alex Martin began the year with Cook’s JVs, but soon moved up to be Ilwaco’s varsity center fielder and top hitter for average before his season was cut short with an emergency appendectomy.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with this group of young men and am happy with their progress,” Cook praised.