2018 Season Preview

Here is the 2018 Season Preview courtesy of of the Valley Baseball League (JACK MARGAROS) The Covington Lumberjacks are under the direction of Alex Kotheimer this summer as the team looks to improve from a last place finish in the South division last season.

Kotheimer, an assistant baseball coach at West Virginia Tech, has assembled a practically new team in addition to a couple of returners. He feels the new-look Lumberjacks will make some noise this season in the Valley Baseball League.

“I think the expectations are actually pretty high for us this year even though our finish last year wasn’t good,” Kotheimer said.

Among returners, Orley Arellano looks improve from his 2017 VBL campaign, where he hit .252 and drove in 25 runs while collecting six doubles and four home runs. In 58 games at the University of the Cumberlands this spring, the junior slashed .343/.459/.495 with seven home runs and 33 RBI.

“I haven’t seen him play but I’ve heard a lot of good things about him,” Kotheimer said.
Arellano’s teammate, JC Santos, will be joining the Lumberjacks as well. He, like Arellano, was a huge part of the Patriots offense, slashing .339/.431/.595 with nine home runs, 12 doubles, and 49 RBI. These two look to carry over their success in to the summer.

Covington boasts depth with five catchers listed on the roster, which is always a welcomed luxury. Additionally, the pitching staff is 14 deep with a variety of young and seasoned college players.

“We’re definitely pretty deep in our position players,” Kotheimer said. “That’s a good problem to have. Summer ball is tough. People come and go, injuries happen, and they have other obligations in the summer.”

Among pitchers, left-hander Michael Stout finished his junior year at Fairmont State University with a 1.68 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 69.2 innings pitched. He was voted an NCAA Division II third-team All-American. He will likely lead the Lumberjacks pitching staff.

“I think our defense is going to help our pitching staff out a lot, so as long as (the pitchers) are throwing strikes, we will get some outs,” Kotheimer said.

The Lumberjacks kick off the season with a home game against the Waynesboro Generals. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.