One could have simply looked at the Wolverines' roster before the season even began, tapped the point of an index finger at almost any regular's name and said, 'First Team All-League' while expecting another romp through the Class 3A Intermountain.
But one name would have given pause: Logan Sabinski.
Who?
Zane Phelps, Kelton McCoy, Taed Heydinger, Brody McGhehey, Noah Loutherback-those names had been pounded into area fans' heads over four years through multi-sport successes, most particularly the 2015 Class 2A Football State Championship, and all five fellows were expectedly again most prominent when the 2016 All-IML Baseball Team was recently released.
First Team (and Player-of-the-Year), First Team, First Team, First Team, and First Team, respectively.
No surprises, and apparently no arguments from the rest of the league's coaches, every one of whom undoubtedly can't wait to face a Bayfield minus that deadly infield/outfield nucleus next spring. Coach-of-the-Year Jon Qualls, whose team went 8-0 in league, will also have to address-and fill-that incredible absence. Oh yeah, and also find a replacement for that one guy. That new guy, what's-his-name..
"It's nothing new to me," Sabinski laughed, addressing his relative-unknown status after a victory earlier in the team's 16-5 campaign.
Sabinsky was initially inserted by Qualls as a replacement for 2015 senior Anthony Chamblee atop the batting order. Later he was a fixture in re-igniting the lineup from the 6- or 7-hole after the other hitters had wreaked their havoc. Sabinski's one-year varsity stint ended with the second baseman receiving Honorable Mention All-IML.
From statistics reported to maxpreps.com, Sabinski hit .387 with 24 hits (six for extra bases) in 62 at-bats, scored 27 runs and batted in 15. He was also credited with eight walks-helping him register a .513 on-base percentage-and five stolen bases. He compiled a fielding percentage of .816 in 38 total chances defensively.
"I feel I've done a great job.decent enough to maintain my spot, keep the table-setting going," he said.
"It's not so much.'pressure' from everybody else, but pressure from within myself," he continued, when asked about having to perform at such a high level and having only one full season in which to perform.
"I came to Bayfield in the third grade, when I moved from (Yucaipa, in San Bernardino County) southern California," said the son of Scott Sabinski and Amanda Kecskes. "I'd played Little League down there, but not much. As soon as I moved up here-it was during summer-I got right in and that's how I started meeting some of these guys.and I've known them ever since!"
"This is home."
MORE FIRST TEAM ALL-IML PICKS: Centauri-Tim Engel (sr., INF), Nate Anderson (soph., 1B), Brandon Buhr (soph., C); Alamosa-Brett Pearson (sr., C/OF), Robbie Alejo (sr., 1B), Chance Strand (soph., P/OF); Monte Vista-Enrique Ortiz (soph., SS/P/C), Carlos Parra (soph., 1B/P); Pagosa Springs-Briar Erskine (sr., CF/P).
MORE HONORABLE MENTION ALL-IML PICKS: CHS-David Ruybal (sr., OF); AHS-Angelo Ramirez (soph.); MVHS-Colby Self (soph., 1B/C); PSHS-Keaton Laverty (soph., 1B).
WE LOST TO THOSE GUYS? All told, Bayfield's five losses in 2016 came by a grand total of 13 runs. So what became of those fortunate to defeat the vaunted Wolverines?
Belen, N.M. finished 13-13 overall and made the 16-team NMAA Class 5A State Tournament as its 15-seed, but lost an opening best-of-three series to 2-seed-and eventual State Champions-Las Cruces Centennial (25-6). Vernal (Utah) Uintah finished 15-12, but did not make the UHSAA Class 4A State Tournament.
Aztec finished an impressive 20-8 and matched Farmington Piedra Vista's 6-2 mark atop the Land of Enchantment's District 1-5A. But after eliminating 11-seed Los Lunas Valencia in a best-of-three beginning the aforementioned 5A State Tournament, the 6-seed Tigers were ousted in the single-elimination quarterfinals by 3-seed Albuquerque St. Pius X.
Durango, meanwhile finished 9-11 overall and an even 5-5 in Colorado's 4A/5A Southwestern League, but as the #27 in the 32-team Class 4A State Tournament bracket, was promptly knocked out of postseason contention by 6-seed, Western Slope League-winning Delta in one of the District 8 Tournament's semifinals.
And finally, after ending Bayfield's season in the 3A-District 3 championship, Lamar went on to finish 18-6 after losing to Arvada Faith Christian in the state championship series' opening round. Lamar then rebounded to shock 1-seed Eaton before falling in extra innings to Greeley University-which went on to take third place and finish 20-6.
Faith Christian (20-6) went on to defeat Manitou Springs-owners of a 17-10 record, with a March 25 non-league loss to Bayfield included-for the state championship, 5 to 1 at Butch Butler Field in Greeley on Sunday, May 29.
