We continue our preseason coverage with another Northern Region 4A participant Galena High School.  The Grizzlies finished fourth a season ago and anticipate the opportunity to improve upon that in 2019.  Head coach Beau Walker and his staff will have to lean on some unproven players to augment the existing returners and put the Grizzlies back on top.

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Team: Galena 

Nickname: Grizzlies

NIAA Classification: 4A

League: 4A Northern Region

Head Coach: Beau Walker

2018 Overall Record: 17-9

2018 League Finish: 4th

2018 1^st place Finish in League: Bishop Manogue

2018 Postseason Finish: 4th

Number of Returning Starters: 4

Number of Returning Pitchers: 5

Top Returning Players: 19’ RHP/OF Cole Demosthenes; ’19 OF Aidan Elliott; ’20 OF/1B LHP Nolan Craddock;

College Commits: RHP/OF Cole Demothenes-CA State Bakersfield

Top 2019 Players: RHP/OF Cole Demosthenes; OF Aidan Elliott; RHP/1B Brian Baker

Top 2020 Players: OF/1B/LHP Nolan Craddock; RHP Ty Demosthenes

Other Players to Watch: ’21 OF Luke Roussel

2019 Outlook: 

Coach Walker is excited about his group in 2019.  They finished fourth a year ago and are optimistic about their ability to improve on that.  The Grizzlies have a lot of pitching depth but will be looking to a few returners to lead the way.  Senior, Cole Demosthenes (RHP/OF), will be returning from arm surgery and upon return could provide an ace. Demosthenes is not only an accomplished pitcher but will hit in the middle of the order and play the outfield.  Two other seniors that could play an important role on the mound will be Brian Baker (3B/RHP) and Aidan Elliott (OF/RHP).  Baker is well known to PBR Nevada as we have followed his progression on the mound this fall.  Baker’s velocity has shown steady improvement and the definition of his secondary pitches make him someone to contend with.  Elliott is an athletic player that will likely assist on the mound due to his ability to throw strikes.  His true value is in the outfield.  The speedy Elliott covers a lot of ground in the outfield and plays fearlessly. Junior, Ty Demosthenes, will play a key role in the pitching depth of the Grizzlies. The younger Demosthenes is a low to mid 80s strike thrower and may find himself in the rotation as well. One thing is for sure, the Grizzlies are “all in” on junior, Nolan Craddock (OF/LHP/1B). Craddock is a low 80s, lanky left-hander with a solid feel to pitch. He will use all three pitches, relying heavily on his changeup.  Coach Walker believes that Craddock can be the ace of the staff. The Grizzlies have another left-hander that is hard to miss in Charlie Williams. Williams is an extremely tall projectable left--hander that offers a consistent down plane. If his stuff makes a jump, Williams is just another in a line of pitchers prepared to contribute for Galena.  Nick Meyers looks to be the man in charge behind the plate.  Meyers will have the duty of reigning in all that depth on the mound.  Meyers is a sturdy bodied backstop that also has the capability of hitting in the middle of the order.

Offensively, Galena will rely a great deal on the aforementioned players to feel their position spots when they are not pitching. Coach Walker and the Grizzly staff do have an underclassman that could make some noise in the lineup, Luke Rousse (OF)l, Roussel has shown the ability to make consistent quality contact and offers an option when either Demosthenes, Craddock or Elliott take the mound.

The Grizzlies have the ability to score in bunches but will need some “table setters” to provide an opportunity for those middle of the order bats to produce runs. In addition, a time will come when they need to rely on an ability to play situational baseball in tight games and this could be an area for concern.  On the mound, arms are plentiful but consistent strikes and the pending return of Cole Demosthenes could lend to a slow start until the needed mound experience is earned.

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