Accolades keep coming for Goodwin, SK players

Three days after coaching his South Kitsap High School baseball team to the 4A state title, Elton Goodwin was back in his trademark SK pinstripes Tuesday.

The retiring coach still had — and has — some loose ends to tie up.

First, he and eight other prep coaches from the Kitsap Peninsula participated in the 36th annual Senior High School All-Star doubleheader at Bremerton’s Legion Field Tuesday.

Broken up into two teams, the American League and National League, the teams pulled their best Bud Selig impersonation and ended the first all-star game in a 2-2 tie.

The National League won the nightcap 8-4.

While Goodwin shared the spotlight with all the coaches, it turned out to be another memorable night for the longtime Wolves coach.

Between games, it was announced that the current MVP trophy was now known as the Elton Goodwin MVP Award.

“Being presented that stuff was a neat deal,” Goodwin said. “To have something named after me...wow.”

SK’s Adam Siler, who will attend St. Martin’s College in Lacey, won the inaugural award after striking out nine batters in four innings in the first game.

Just when it seems Goodwin can finally hang up the pinstripes, he’s still left with one more engagement. He and longtime assistant coach Don Smith will be honored at the state all-star game in Eastmont June 14.

Goodwin will coach one of the teams.

Ten area players were nominated to play in the all-state game, which usually takes five or six west sounders. Siler, Brian Cox, and Cody McCulley are the SK nominees.

Also nominated were: Matt Lane, catcher, Port Angeles; Nate Gossard, pitcher/outfielder, Port Angeles; Jordan Duncan, first base, Olympic; Marcus Moug, pitcher/firstbaseman, Chimacum; Jesse Minish, outfield, Chimacum; Cody McCulley, outfield, South Kitsap; Nick Borchers, infielder/pitcher, Port Angeles; and Steve Hupper, pitcher, North Mason.

Though retirement becomes official June 13, Goodwin said he’s still reeling from winning the state crown.

“I’m going to keep riding this,” Goodwin said. “I’m in heaven.”

SK’s bunch of seniors said it felt a little strange playing baseball so soon after winning state. But like putting on shoes in the morning, it felt natural for these players to be back on the diamond with their pals.

“We’re just out having some fun,” SK senior Eric Deisler said. “We’re still on a high from winning the state championship.”

Senior Ryan Marshall, who contributed with a triple in the second game, said he didn’t want to play, but then the lure of the game caught up with him.

“At first I was like, ‘I don’t want to play baseball. I want a break,’ ” Marshall said. “But once I got here it was a lot of fun.”

South Kitsap third baseman Evan Brumfield said it took a simple formula to fire up the players to get back on the field.

“It’s still fun becaue you get to play baseball,” he said. “There’s no pressure at all. You’re just out there having fun with your friends and swinging for the fences.”

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