New Look Golden Eagles Still Expect to Contend
On paper, it could be a coaches dream and nightmare at the same time.
The 2024 Feather River Golden Eagles don't have a lot of familiar names and faces on their roster. At first glance, that looks like a problem for a program that annually seems to have a ton of experience returning, enough to usually make them a favorite for yet another Golden Valley Conference championship and state tournament berth.
This year, head coach Terry Baumgartner will have to lean on a large class of newcomers to mix with a small group of veterans to compete for conference title. You would think that scenario has some nightmare quality to it.
Not to Baumgartner and the Golden Eagle coaching staff.
"We have a very young team but it is one that has developed a lot over the last five and a half months," Baumgartner said. "As coaches, it is exciting to build and teach. We have seen tremendous growth in individual players as well as our team as a whole. The challenge for these guys will be the tough schedule that we will play in non-conference and having the ability to deal with some adversity along the way."
To reach results that have become the norm of the Feather River program, that growth will have to come fast. In Baumgartner's 16 years, the Golden Eagles have won 13 GVC titles, have captured eight regional championships, and have won three super regionals. In the bigger picture, Feather River has been to the CCCAA state playoffs 24 straight seasons.
"The positive about a young team is that we have quite a bit of room for improvement on a daily basis and throughout the season," the nine-time GVC Coach of the Year said. "We are definitely going to get better each game as our guys learn how to play college baseball at a high level. As a coaching staff we are super excited with our young group and we are looking forward to all the challenges a young team presents."
First, the Golden Eagles can look to their returnees as a base. Jared Stevenson (OF) and Reed Alexander (1B) are two returning starters from the 2023 team that went 25-15. Stevenson hit .301 with 14 doubles and 26 RBI last spring, while Alexander hit .286 with 21 runs batted in.
Andrew Lehman (SS) and Kaito Araki (OF) will also be looked to as returning field players with experience. On the mound, Eric Valdez (11 starts, 49 K's in 39.2 IP) and Gage Hoyle (1.80 ERA in relief) will provide leadership for a young staff, along with the return of Kyle Giovannoni and Tyler Stolfich from arm injuries that caused them to miss last season.
After that, it's up to the development of the newcomers.
"We have quite a few newcomers who I feel will make an impact on our program right away," Baumgartner confirmed. "On the position player side, we have seen good growth in Grant McGuire (3B), Dylan Marx (INF), Toby Parry (INF), Zane Denton (Catcher), Quinten Terrell (Catcher), Anthony Cepeda (OF), and Kolt Kurzman (UT). And there could end up being some more newcomers that have a breakout spring. The pitching side should see Trey Smith develop in to a starter, Adrian Figueroa, Will Page-Allen, and Weston Russell should provide quality innings for us."
The Golden Eagles will have their first series of the year on January 26-27, a three-game slate at Taft College. Despite the new look Golden Eagle roster, expectations remain the same.
"Our goals are not changing with a younger team, they will be the same goals as every FRC team before them," Baumgartner said. "We want to compete for nine innings, play the game the right way, create a great team environment, have fun playing this great game, and in the end win as many games as we can. Our young squad has worked hard and is ready to contend for the GVC title and reach the state playoffs for the 25th season in a row."
