Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 spring season. Team previews touch on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team Previews are generated through a mixture of coaches' responses gathered through our perennial coaches questionnaires, as well as insight from Prep Baseball Staff. Stay tuned the next several weeks for the unveiling of Team Previews and the complete Power 25.

Today, we spotlight the #11 ranked Kennewick Lions. 

 

High School: Kennewick Lions    
Head Coach: Lenny Ayres
Division: 3A
League/Conference: Mid-Columbia
2024 Record (Finish): 21-4
2024 Playoff Finish: 3A state round of 16

 

ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Key Players Lost: Dane McClure, Conner Salsbury, Leyton Lind, Peyton Moxley, Maddox Suitonu

TEAM OUTLOOK

Starting Pitching: Dylan Mamiya, Dane Chavez

Bullpen: Samuel Crowther, Dierks Chavez, Cameron Owen

Top Seniors: Dane Chavez, Dierks Chavez, Cameron Owen

‘25 INF Dierks Chavez (Kennewick) had a quality day at the plate going 2-5 with 2 RBI

Brings in a runner here on the LD base hit. Nice job keeping flexion with lead arm & getting barrel above the ball at the top of the zone @Kennewick_Lions pic.twitter.com/a7bO1t1JGn

— Prep Baseball Washington (@PrepBaseballWA) April 8, 2024

Top Juniors: Dylan Mamiya, Dominic Driver, Brady Mattson, Chase Taylor, Teryn Curtis

Underclassmen to watch: '27 Samuel Crowther

Areas to watch: Underclassman contributions, pitching

Team Strengths: Athleticism, middle infield

Overall Summary

Kennewick enters 2025 after an outstanding regular season followed by a quick playoff exit last spring. The Lions return one of the better middle infield duos in the state, seniors and twin brothers in Washington State commit Dane Chavez and Columbia Basin commit Dierks Chavez. Both were staples at the top of the lineup a season ago, and both can also provide solid innings on the mound. Junior OF/LHP Dylan Mamiya is one of the best athletes in his class, impacting the game with speed on the bases and manning center field. Mamiya can also eat innings well and has shown increasing power in recent looks at the dish. The Lions will need to fill a good portion of their innings lost from a season ago, which could partially be helped by '27 RHP Samuel Crowther, who had varsity innings as a freshman last spring. Juniors Dominic Driver and Chase Taylor are nice depth pieces that return from the starting lineup as well. Kennewick has several great matchups to circle on the calendar, including an early season non-conference bout with North Creek and a doubleheader against the defending 4A state champions Richland. Look for Kennewick to have another dominant regular season and make noise deeper in the 3A state playoffs this time around.

Find more information on the 2025 Kennewick program below:

+ Follow them on X: @Kennewick_Lions
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Washington Preseason Power 25 homepage

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