EPHRATA — New coach. New season. New opportunities. 

The Ephrata Tigers have a new head baseball coach in the form of David Tempel, a social studies teacher at Ephrata High School who has known the players he’s working with this spring for some time.

“These seniors I had two years ago on the JV (team) when they were sophomores,” Tempel said. “And so, they kind of understand who I am and kind of my philosophy and some of those types of things.” 

Tempel said the older athletes are doing a good job of mentoring the younger players and that’s helpful as he works to bring the players all onto the same page as they move into the season. He’s said he’s excited to get all three of the school’s baseball teams out on the diamond and see what they have to offer and make adjustments during preseason, non-league play this weekend and into next week. 

“We’ve got some non-leaguers this weekend, and so, it’s exciting for all three teams to have a chance to get out there and play and get the season started,” he said. 

Tempel said he’s grateful to have some returning players who bring great skillsets to the team. One of those is Cody Black, a senior who has varsity-level experience from both his sophomore and junior seasons. Black will be taking the mound and senior Noah Ferebee will be the secondary person to put on the pitching mount.

“We’re looking really to those two guys to sustain us in ballgames,” Tempel said. 

Newcomer Ryder Mann is expected to take to the pitcher’s mound as well to shore up the team’s pitching staff, he said. 

“Brenden St. Mary will be another contributing force on the mound for us as a senior, and then after that, it’s about developing and using guys in different spots in different situations, all that kind of stuff. But, our pitchers are going to be our strength this year,” Tempel said. 

Overall, the varsity team is heavy on seniors with strong skills in the infield and outfield, he said, and that should help lay the foundation for a successful year. 

“Hans Roberts will play some center field. Brady Hendrick, Aidan Devine and Hayden Wurl kind of round out the outfield crew and these guys, they understand angles. They understand their strengths. They understand angles off the bat, speed of runners and they do a great job of getting the balls and getting them back into the infield,” the coach said. 

While players are still mourning the recent passing of Jett Johnson in a car accident, the team will work to remember him and honor him throughout the season with his jersey hanging in the dugout or some other way. 

“Last week was tough, just in terms of how recent the event was,” Tempel said Tuesday evening. “But, as we go forward here, we’re going to look to honor him every day. We’ve got some different things planned for ways that we’re going to honor him, whether it’s his jersey hanging in the dugout or his initials on our practice jerseys. Every guy is going to handle that I think a little differently, and kind of in their own way, but he’ll definitely be with us and we know that he’s going to be watching over us and cheering us on,” Tempel said.

Strategically, Tempel said the team will be looking to catcher Kaden Hallatt to lead the way from behind the plate calling plays and working with the pitchers to coordinate game strategy. 

“He and his pitchers have put in a lot of time on their own on the offseason, getting to know each other and what pitches work (and) what pitches don’t,” Tempel said. 

As preseason play starts this weekend, the newly-appointed – as of October 2023 – head Tiger baseball coach said he’s looking forward to seeing what his athletes can do and making those final adjustments before league play starts. 

“We do have some non-leagues here in the first three weeks that are going to give us an opportunity to mix and match different lineups and for different pitching matchups, and just give us a chance to evaluate as coaches where we are – who we are – and just kind of start molding that strategy,” Tempel said. 

R. Hans “Rob” Miller may be reached at editor@columbiabasinherald.com. A U.S. Army veteran, he lives in Ephrata with his wife and their three dogs. 

Ephrata Baseball Schedule

March 9 - vs Orting, Quincy - 10 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

March 14 - vs West Valley (Spokane) - 4 p.m.

March 16 - at Grandview (doubleheader) - 11 a.m.

March 19 - vs Shadle Park - 4 p.m.

March 22 - vs East Valley (Yakima) (doubleheader) - 4 p.m.

March 26 - at Eastmont - 6 p.m.

March 30 - at Selah (doubleheader) - 11 a.m.

April 6 - vs Othello (doubleheader) - 11 a.m.

April 9 - vs Tri-Cities Prep - 4 p.m.

April 13 - at Ellensburg (doubleheader) - 11 a.m.

April 20 - at Brewster (doubleheader) - 11 a.m.

April 23 - at River View - 4 p.m.

April 27 - vs Prosser (doubleheader) - 11 a.m.

    Cody Black is expected to anchor the Tigers pitching staff this year as the season begins. A senior, Black has a solid history of playing on the varsity team his sophomore and junior years.
  

    Caleb Froewiss scoops a ball during drills on Tuesday. Tiger Head Baseball Coach David Tempel said solid infield and outfield skills should serve Ephrata High well on the diamond this year.
  

    Players ran a variety of drills Tuesday to make sure reflexes met the demands for quick responses on the field.
  

    Tiger Head Baseball Coach David Tempel talks with his catching crew on Tuesday. Tempel said he’s impressed with how the catchers and pitchers have worked to ensure they have solid strategies in place.
  

    A Tiger pitcher goes through a drill during Tuesday’s practice. Pitching is expected to be a strong point for the Ephrata High School team this year.