Clark County-based team has high expectations for tournament, which begins Friday
Primetime Baseball Manager Scott Binder has high expectations for his team as it heads to Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Babe Ruth World Series. And, considering his team’s recent success, his optimism would seem to be warranted.
“The last time a team from Vancouver has won the World Series was Ryder Construction in 1995,’’ said Binder, referring the Senior Babe Ruth division for players ages 16-18 years old. “I feel that our pitching and defense are our strengths. If we hit the ball like we’re capable of, I like our chances to win the World Series.’’
When it comes to the level of competition in the postseason, Binder knows of which he speaks. This will be Primetime Baseball’s third trip to the World Series in the past five years. In those five years, the Clark County-based program has a 29-2 record in state tournament play and a 29-3 record in regional competition.
“My expectations are to continue to play at a high level and to bring home the first World Series championship in 24 years to Clark County,’’ said Binder, who is assisted by coach Rob Williamson.
Primetime is the Pacific Northwest champions, and as such, will represent the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyomin, Montana and British Columbia, Canada at the World Series, which is scheduled to begin Friday. All of the games will be streamed online with complete video and commentary (16-18baberuthworldseries.org). Fans can also find information on GameChanger under Primetime Baseball 18u.
Primetime heads to the World Series with an overall record of 37-13-3. In the postseason, the team has won all 10 of its games en route to state and regional championships. As Binder said, the team’s success can be attributed in large part to its pitching and defense.
On the mound, Primetime has five hurlers with impressive stats heading into the World Series. Tanner McDonald, a 2019 Battle Ground High School graduate who is headed to Pacific Lutheran University, has a 6-1 record and a stingy 1.61 earned run average (ERA). Other standout members of the pitching staff include:
• Dillon Hamilton, 2018 Prairie High School graduate, 7-1 record, 2.41 ERA
• Alan Merrill, 2019 Hudson’s Bay High School graduate headed to Mt. Hood Community College, 5-1 record, 2.23 ERA
• Wyatt Wooden, 2019 Woodland High School graduate, 6-3 record, 2.62 ERA
• Tyler Russell, 2018 Battle Ground High School graduate who played at Edmonds Community College this past season, 2.23 ERA, 24 strikeouts in just 15 innings
The Primetime offensive attack is led by:
• Hayden Williamson, catcher, 2018 La Center High School graduate who attended Bellevue University in Omaha, Nebraska; .378 batting average
• Wooden, middle infielder, .371 average
• Preston Thornton, third base, 2019 Washougal High School graduate, .366 average
• Hamilton, middle infielder, .356 average
Other members of the Primetime team include:
• Dylan Grotte, outfielder, played at Battle Ground High School, graduated from Tumwater High School
• Travis Pitner, outfielder, 2019 Woodland High School graduate
• Peyton Westwick, outfielder, 2019 Hudson’s Bay High School graduate, expected to continue his baseball career at Clark College
• Wyatt Autrey, first base-outfielder, 2019 Woodland High School graduate
• Reid Hope, pitcher-outfielder, 2019 Woodland High School graduate
• Michael Quintana, pitcher-third base, Attends Camas High School
• Cole Sherertz, pitcher-infielder, 2019 King’s Way Christian graduate, hopes to walk on at Oregon State
