Erik Brink didn’t move to the Flathead Valley to teach and coach; it just turned out that way. Now the first baseball coach in Glacier High’s history couldn’t be happier. 

“I’m having a blast,” Brink said Thursday, a couple days before the Wolfpack’s Opening Day game with Belgrade at Griffin Field. “It really is a good time. And to be the first to do something — in baseball and coaching, you’re rarely the first. And we get to do it together.” 

A longtime assistant for the American Legion Kalispell Lakers, Brink has a 50-50 mix of nine Lakers veterans and nine “new” players on the Pack. One problem: Because it’s spring break and several families planned vacation trips months in advance, Brink will have 12 players available Saturday at 1 p.m. 

One solution: Seven well-armed pitchers, each of whom might take an inning Saturday. Heading the list is senior Kyler Croft, who was at the front of the Lakers’ rotation last summer. Brink feels highly about Beau Schulz, Brady Lewellen, Kaeden Kahler, Max Weber, Ryne Gillette and Wyatt Sharp as well. 

“Kyler Croft looks really good, but those seven guys right now could beat anybody,” Brink said. “They’re throwing the ball extremely well.” 

Brink moved to the Valley after 20-plus years coaching and teaching in California; after a go in the business world he returned to teaching and has been at Glacier five years. 

The history teacher knew he’d throw his hat in for this coaching position when baseball was approved as an MHSA sport. He didn’t know how much talent he’d find walking the halls right off the bat. 

“We have quite a bit of infield depth,” he said. “We have three catchers who can catch, five guys that can play up the middle and for now we have two guys in center field that can flat out run balls down.” 

Senior Teagan Dixon and sophomore Neil Pepe are the burners; Brink lists Schulz, Lewellen, Croft, Gillette and Tate Kahler as very capable middle infielders. Lewellen, Gillette and Tate Kahler are sophomores; Schulz is a senior.  

The catchers are led by senior Brady Buckmaster and include junior Ethan Kim and Weber, a sophomore.  

Brink adds that Weber is a super-utility sort. Meanwhile sophomore Bridger Sunde, senior Falon Clark and juniors Sharp, Zane Huff and Payton Johnson are capable corner outfielders. He figures Kaeden Kahler, a senior, can play first or third; Gillette is potentially a third sacker as well. 

Brink also likes the way several players have swung the bat in practice: Dixon, Pepe and Gillette pencil out as top of the order guys; Buckmaster, Weber, Croft, Lewellen and Kaeden Kahler could supply pop in the middle. 

All of which has Brink excited for Saturday and beyond. 

“It’s a way deeper roster than I thought I was going to have,” he said. “I’ve been doing this a long time; it’s an exciting roster. I’ve got some guys that can play the game and play the game hard. There’s some talent.”  

Sports Editor Fritz Neighbor can be reached at 406-758-4463 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.