La Conner High baseball team swings for first time since 2018

Bill Reynolds | Mar 17, 20210

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IN GOOD STANDING---La Conner High catcher Kenai Zimmerman (21) awaits a pitch at Friday Harbor last week. The Braves were seeing their first baseball action in three years, missing out on the 2019 season due to low numbers and having the 2020 campaign wiped out by COVID-19. La Conner was shut out 27-0 in its debut against the Wolverines, then dropped a 12-2 road decision to Coupeville last Friday. Zimmerman, a freshman, drove in both La Conner runs at Coupeville. Photo by Karla Reynolds

They go in the books as a pair of double-digit losses, but the La Conner High baseball team’s setbacks at Friday Harbor and Coupeville last week represent a win-win situation of sorts for the Braves.

The team is back between the chalk lines after not seeing action since 2018. It is also, so far, prevailing over COVID-19.

La Conner was unable to field a baseball team in 2019 due to low numbers. The onset of the virus crisis last spring wiped out the 2020 baseball season.

Thus, the Braves’ 27-0 defeat at Friday Harbor in their March 9 season opener and 12-2 loss at Coupeville last Friday did not sting as much as might otherwise have been the case for a program used to deep playoff runs under coaches Jeremiah LeSourd and Andy Otis.

“Our first game was a chance to learn to relax and enjoy playing the game,” LeSourd said afterward. “It was awesome to see the boys on the field in a game for the first time in three years.”

The young La Conner lineup showed marked improvement three days later at Coupeville.

The Braves trailed just 3-2 midway through the game thanks to a pair of runs batted in from freshman catcher Kenai Zimmerman.

The host Wolves closed out the contest by plating nine unanswered runs.

“To say we are gaining experience is an understatement,” said LeSourd, noting that current Braves player Cameron Burks made the team roster in 2018 as an eighth grader.

“We have players doing this for the first time at the high school level,” LeSourd stressed. “I need them to believe they can do it and that belief system is starting to take hold. The message we keep giving them is we need them to believe in themselves because we believe in them.”

The Braves are scheduled to make their home debut at 4 p.m. Friday opposite NW2B newcomer Mount Vernon Christian.

Weather permitting, LeSourd and Otis have planned at least two intrasquad scrimmages this week in preparation for the league clash with MVC, a team that ironically has already played twice on the La Conner diamond this spring.

The Hurricanes have played “home” games at La Conner while awaiting the opening of the baseball field at Mount Vernon High School. The Northwest Conference, of which Mount Vernon High is a member, opted to launch its athletics calendar with fall rather than spring sports this month.

“We intend to have them ready,” LeSourd said of the Braves, “and believing in themselves.”

COVID-19 cases sideline La Conner High track, softball teams

The coronavirus pandemic wiped out the 2020 spring sports season across Was

“We have had several COVID cases in track and one currently in softball,” interim La Conner Schools Superintendent Rich Stewart told the Weekly News on Saturday. “Both teams are in quarantine for the required 14 days and will require tests.”

Stewart said La Conner Schools staff is working with the Skagit County Department of Health to conduct contact tracing.

The positive COVID-19 test results shelved the softball team’s scheduled trip to Coupeville and a dual track meet with Mount Vernon Christian at Whittaker Field last Friday.

The Lady Braves softball team has played twice – hosting Darrington and traveling to Friday Harbor – to open an abbreviated league schedule running through April 3. The La Conner track teams swept a season-opening NW2B meet at Coupeville on March 5.

Stewart said La Conner Schools officials are closely monitoring the situation as tentative plans call for high school students to return to campus for an in-person hybrid instructional model on March 29.

“Andy Wheeler and Kathy Herrera report that coaches, staff and parents have been very understanding and helpful,” said Stewart.

Wheeler is La Conner Schools Director of Special Programs. Herrera doubles as La Conner Middle and High School principal and the district’s director of athletics.

Stewart said La Conner Schools is reminding parents to keep students at home if they experience COVID-19 symptoms.

Pandemic safeguards and safety protocols have been in place for sports events on the La Conner campus. Those attending La Conner’s March 6 home softball game with Darrington were required to undergo a health screening for COVID-19 prior to admission. La Conner High also hosted a baseball game between Mount Vernon Christian and Darrington that day. Attendance was likewise tied to health screening.

La Conner High has not fielded a baseball team in three years, but now the Braves are back in the swing of things.

The Braves baseball team, with no reported COVID-19 cases, was able to play at Coupeville last week – falling 12-2 in a game closer than the score indicates. La Conner is slated to debut at home opposite Mount Vernon Christian this Friday at 4 p.m.

“In the end,” said La Conner coach Jeremiah LeSourd, “what matters is we have an opportunity to compete. We are in a position to give others hope that team sports are possible.”