La Conner baseball preview: It’s a ‘Braves’ new world

There was a time, not so long ago, when the La Conner High School baseball team strung together some magical seasons.

Now veteran Braves coaches Jeremiah LeSourd and Andy Otis hope to rekindle that magic within a program that has been sidelined since 2019 due to lack of roster depth and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spring 2022 is a new beginning for the Braves.

“Our senior class has played in nine games while in high school,” LeSourd explained, “Normally, the number of games played would be at least 60 entering your senior year.

“Giving these kids a chance,” he insisted, “is all the excitement we need.”

The seniors include returnees Haydin Dinuis, Cameron Burks and Mason Wilson. They will be joined by sophomores Brogan Masonholder, Kenai Zimmerman and Logan Burks, each of whom debuted as freshmen.

Assisting LeSourd and Otis will be staff assistants Charlie Edwards, the high school head football coach and alum Logan James, an integral part of the Braves playoff teams from 2013-2016.

“We’re learning to trust ourselves and work together,” LeSourd said of La Conner’s present roster. “We have a lot to learn and we’ll have fun doing it.

“Baseball is a game that teaches that you need to support those around you, as well as (develop) mental toughness and patience. Learning and understanding is the mission,” he noted.

As far as how that mission will translate into wins and losses, it’s anyone’s guess given how few NW2B games have been played since COVID-19 hit.

“Each year has given us memories that we are grateful for the rest of our lives,” LeSourd adds.

This year’s memories are set to take shape with a March 22 league opener at Coupeville.

LeSourd plans to place the game ball from that contest at the gravesite of Dixie Otis, Andy’s mom, a longtime champion of La Conner baseball.

“No one,” he said, “supported the boys more than her.”