The Faith Lutheran Crusaders are looking forward to the 2019 campaign. Granted they play in the difficult Northwest Division of the Mountain Region and will have to contend with the likes of defending champion, Centennial and defending state champion, Palo Verde but they have some athletic players with the ability to compete at a high level on any given day.  Let’s take a closer look at the Crusaders for 2019.

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Team: Faith Lutheran 

Nickname: Crusaders

NIAA Classification: 4A

League: Northwest Division/Mountain Region

Head Coach: Dave Anderson

2018 Overall Record: 11-19

2018 League Finish: 6

2018 1^st place Finish in League: Centennial

2018 Postseason Finish: None

Number of Returning Starters: 6

Number of Returning Pitchers: 5

Top Returning Players: ’19 P/1B Jacob Ortega; ’19 OF/P Sagan Gronauer; ’19 INF Parker Sylvester; ’20 RHP/UT Michael Rice;’21 RHP Christian Djikman

College Commits: ’19 P/1B Jacob Ortega - UNLV; ’19 OF/P Sagan Gronauer - (Idaho State FB); RHP Michael Rice – Santa Barbara

Top 2019 Players: P/1B Jacob Ortega; OF/P Sagan Gronauer;

Top 2020 Players: RHP Michael Rice

Other Players to Watch: ’21 RHP Michael Carrol; ’21 RHP Christian Djikman

2019 Outlook: Head Coach, Dave Anderson, and the Faith Lutheran Crusaders are anxious for 2019 play to get underway.  Lead by a couple of Division 1 athletes in ’19 Jacob Ortega and ’19 Sagan Gronauer accompanied by the emergence of ’20 Michael Rice, and ’21s Michael Carroll and Christian Djikman, the Crusaders have reason to be optimistic.  Ortega is physical left handed hitter with the ability to change the game with one swing of the bat.  Gronauer, an Idaho State football commit, is an athletic outfielder that pitches as well.  Rice is an athlete as well and will likely do double duty on the mound and in the field.  Rice’s strength will be on the mound.  The #10 ranked PBR Nevada Class of 2020 right-hander has an upper 80s fastball with solid secondary stuff.  Rice has the potential to matchup against some of the best in the league.  Carroll and Djikman stand to log some vital innings. These sophomores could play an important role in the overall success of the Crusaders this spring.

Offensively, Faith Lutheran will operate with a solid lineup. Infielder, ’19 Parker Sylvester (.436/0/14) in addition to Gronauer (.322/0/16) and Ortega (.362/2/23) will lead the offense. Rice will provide some support and then there could be a bit of a gap in the experience level of those that fill the other roles.  The season should provide that experience and allow the Crusaders an opportunity to compete day in and day out.  Look for them to create some problems for the opposition with a consistent lineup and strike throwing pitching staff.