Wolves hope to give Goodwin a big sendoff

Elton Goodwin’s time is winding down at South Kitsap High School.

After 28 years at SK, including the last 26 as varsity coach, Goodwin will hang up his pinstripes at the end of the season.

While he’s ready to retire, Goodwin said he plans on savoring every last minute he spends with his ballplayers this year.

“I’m taking it all in a little slower,” Goodwin said. “I’m just hoping with this group we can put ’em together and have a good season.”

Of course, adding a third state title would be nice, but Goodwin said it’s too early in the season to even know what kind of ballclub he’ll have.

One mild setback is the absence of four varsity players who play on the basketball team that may have qualified for the state tournament last night.

One of Goodwin’s parting gifts this season is the favorable non-league home schedule against top programs Federal Way, Bethel, Bellarmine and O’Dea, which placed fourth at the 3A state tournament.

What Goodwin loves about this year’s team is the versatility he has in the field, even though there aren’t a lot of recognizable players since most played junior varsity last year.

After losing 12 seniors to graduation, one might think the team is young.

That’s not the case this year. SK has 10 seniors and four juniors slated to begin the season on the varsity squad.

Coming off a season where the Wolves placed fourth at state, Goodwin said he has more depth in the field and pitching this year “We’re two deep at almost every position,” Goodwin said. “I’m not saying they’re as good as last year’s team. But we’ve got guys that know how to play baseball. I feel very comfortable with the pitching staff. It’s just a matter of finding out who’s our No. 2 pitcher (behind Cox).”

Besides Cox, Goodwin has talented starting pitching in seniors Eric Deisler, Evan Brumfield, and Marshall and junior Josh Fullington.

“I’d love to see Josh (Fullington) get on the mound and blow people away,” Goodwin said. “I hope Marshall has a big year. He’s worked hard and he’s waited two years to play.”

Varsity is always so competitive, SK jv players would easily be on any other varsity squad.

Goodwin said he’s so deep at every position, the best hitters will decide who starts. The lone exception to defense over offense is at shortstop and catcher, Goodwin said.

Seniors Rick Wikle and Josh Ness are competing at catcher.

Adam Siler will start at first base, though Brumfield will see some time at first base. Junior Aaron Cunningham and Lonnie Ladenburg will vie for playing time at second base.

Cox and Kelly will trade off at shortstop, though Kelly will find himself playing almost everywhere in the field. Guys like Deisler, Brumfield, Cunningham and Kelly will see time at third base.

Goodwin said the starting lineup will come down to hitting.

“Hitting is our biggest question mark this year,” Goodwin said. “We’ll just have to wait and see how that goes.”

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