Sharptails take flight

The Upper 13 League baseball season opener was on May 26 and the Washburn Sharptails, league champions in 2023, have picked up where they left off with the team pounding out two early wins. According to the Sharptails Player/coach Boden Bratley, the early wins suggest the team will at least initially showcase strong pitching which include a no-hitter by, while waiting for its offensive production to ignite.

"It's a nice start," Bratley said, "but we have a lot of work to do at the plate if we want to succeed this season. I'd hope to see us improve at generating runs."

The team made it to the WBA state playoffs two seasons ago, and Bratley sees the potential for the 'Sharps to make a return trip. But there may be few easy wins along the way the player/coach suggested.

"Our goal this year is to return to the state tournament," Bratley said. "We all know that we are capable of it. The biggest roadblock will be Hayward. We eliminated them in the state tournament in 2022 and they eliminated us in regionals last year. Meeting them in the playoffs this year would certainly be a game that any baseball fan would want to see. As long as everyone buys into their roles, we should have a successful season."

The Sharptails initial 2024 roster includes:

David Barningham, Bo Bratley, Alex CP, Alec Croteau, Donny Ekholm, Reese Fleig, Hunter Gustafson, Bryce Hall, Jake Irbeck, Frank Means, Maverick Means, Scott Moreland, Roscoe Sopiwnik, Blaise Sopiwnik, John Sopiwnik, Brendon Walson, and Grayson Welch