Digger Baseball
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October 8, 2008 at 3:22 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Sugar City, ID The Sugar Salem football team pulled off a huge win over the Shelley Russets on Friday, Oct. 3rd. Much of the credit can be attributed to Sugar Salem baseball’s Tyler Rhoton (Leftfielder), who had two interceptions on defense and scored all three touchdowns for the Diggers’ offense (2 rushing, 1 receiving). Tyler started for the baseball team last season (his junior season) in left field and also hit leadoff the entire season. There are several baseball players who are making an impact on the football field as well including seniors Hadley Wright, Taylor Clark, and junior Alec Weaver.
October 8, 2008 at 10:35 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Former Diggers pitcher Kody McFarland pitched Friday September 26th for Grays Harbor Community College. He threw three innings giving up one run on no hits, three walks, striking out one. He also threw Friday October 3rd. He threw one inning, walked one, and gave up on unearned run (throwing error on the catcher), but gave up no hits. It is looking like he might earn a starting role in the rotation. As always, we will keep you updated.
October 6, 2008 at 1:14 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
September 29, 2008 at 12:03 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
The Sugar Salem Diggers made their second consecutive trip to the Idaho 3A State Baseball Tournament in Ontario, OR. This year the Diggers made quite a bit of noise. They opened up with St. Maries, the number one seed from the north, and although they did not play their best game of the year, Kody McFarland’s strong performance on the mound along with a strong offensive showing was enough to carry them through. They won game one 12-10.
Following Fruitland’s massacre over fellow district 6 high school, South Fremont, they met the Diggers in round two. The Diggers had planned to start ace Jordan Hepworth against Fruitland (who was the number one ranked team in the state); however, Coach Schlegelmilch was forced to bring in Hepworth to close out game one. The pitching rule goes thus: A pitcher can not pitch more than seven innings in back to back games. One pitch thrown counts as one inning. Therefore, because Hepworth threw to two hitters in game one, he only had six available innings. Coach Schlegelmilch decided to start Junior Hadley Wright, who had pitched some big games for the Diggers. Fruitland’s offense proved too potent, and the Diggers’ defense too vulnerable. Although the DIggers had baserunners on the entire game and the offense played quite well, Fruitland was in the end too strong and the Diggers fell 16-1.
The Diggers then played Payette High School for the 3rd/4th place game. Jordan Hepworth got the start on the mound, and threw very well. Payette put across 4 runs through seven innings, but the Diggers were able to plate 7, and took the Third Place Trophy. Hepworth also hit a three run homerun in the first inning.
The captains, Seniors Jordan Hepworth, Kody McFarland, and Mason Casper carried the Diggers throughout the tournament. Kody and Jordan had very strong pitching performances in game one and three and Mason not only caught all three games for the Diggers, but was also the most productive hitter for the Diggers.
“I am extremely proud of the boys, they played their hearts out and deserve to do this well.” Said Diggers Head Coach James Schlegelmilch. “I wish things would have fallen a little bit differently, but I am very pleased with our showing this year.”
Last season the Diggers went to the State Tournament as the number one seed from District 6 (upsetting number 2 (in the state) ranked Teton, and perennial powerhouse South Fremont), but played poorly and lost their only two games. “Last year gave us something to build on for sure, but this year’s success I hope will catapult us to the next level with our program. We hope to be here again next year.”
Time will tell, but for now, Congratualtions Diggers!!
September 28, 2008 at 5:13 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Coach “Papa” Schlegelmilch was born and raised in southern California. He played his college baseball at Cal Poly Pomona under legendary coach John Scolinos from 1965-1968. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins following his senior season and played professionally in their organization until 1971, when he was traded to the San Diego Padres. He played his final two professional seasons for the Padres (and was coached by Hall-of-Famer Duke Snider). He was given the head baseball coach job at Rio Hondo Community College in 1974 and coached there until 1990. He then relocated, with his family, up to Rexburg, ID and took the head coaching job at former Ricks College. At Ricks he took a program that had won three games the season prior to his arrival, and made it into one of the most respected and successful programs in the Scenic West Athletic Conference. When the announcement was made that Ricks College would be dropping their athletic program, innumerable colleges sought after Coach Schlegelmilch’s services. Coach Schlegelmilch decided to go with Southern Virginia University. He took over a rather pathetic, struggling program, and in just five years there made two appearances in the Small College World Series in St. Petersburg, FL, had several All-American players, and made the baseball program the winningest, most respected program on campus (it fell apart again immediately after he left). Coach Schlegelmilch also owns and operates a baseball mentoring and coaching business, with which he can work with players on a one-on-one basis and together hone their skills.
He is married to Donna Hendricks (now Schlegelmilch) and they have seven children.
He still teaches at BYU-Idaho in the Physical Education department.
September 27, 2008 at 8:06 am · Filed under Uncategorized
James Schlegelmilch-Head Coach
Coach Schlegelmilch was a catcher at Sugar Salem High School from
1997-2000. After graduation he attended former Ricks College, catching
and playing first base. He was named to the SWAC (Scenic West Athletic
Conference) Second Team All Conference. When Ricks College dropped
athletics, he transferred to Southern Virginia University and played two
more years there. His sophomore year The S.V.U. Knights went to Small
College World Series in St. Petersburg, Florida. With his performance in
the national tournament, he was named to the All National Tournament
Team, and also named as an honorable mention All-American. Following a
knee injury between his sophomore and junior year, he returned and
played centerfield. He had a very strong Junior season, however it was
made apparent that a professional career was no longer probable. James
then returned to Idaho and started coaching. In the Spring of 2006 he
coached the J.V. team at South Fremont High School under his good friend
and former teammate Chad Hill. James got the Sugar Salem baseball
coaching job shortly after the season of 2006. He has now coached the
Diggers for two seasons, in which time they have gone to the State
Tournament twice and taken third in their most recent visit.
James is married to Shariane Weston (now Schlegelmilch) and they have
one son named after James’ best friend Josh.
James served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints. He served in the Ukraine, Kiev mission from Sept.
2001- Aug. 2003.
September 26, 2008 at 10:27 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Former Digger pitcher, Kody McFarland, pitched for the first time at Grays Harbor Community College Saturday the 20th. He threw three innings, gave up one hit, struck out four, and walked one. He throws again today (Sept. 26th). We will keep you all updated.
September 25, 2008 at 1:49 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
I am working hard to bring you diggerbaseball.com so that all of you can follow the Sugar Salem Baseball team throughout our upcoming seasons.
