OVERLAKE OWLS

• Head coach: Mike Davidson, 6th season

• Last year: 6-3, 2nd in Emerald City League; 11-5 overall

• 2010 turnout: 23

KEY RETURNERS

• Sr. Josh Erickson, CF: All-league centerfielder with great speed. Always a threat on the basepaths.

• Sr. John Stolarczuk C: Great all-around athlete also played Varsity soccer and basketball this year. One of only a few returners from last year with vital experience at the catching position.

• Jr. Josh Bensussen, 1B: All-league selection last season swings a big bat and looks to follow in the footsteps of older brother Seth (plays 2B for Washington University in St. Louis).

TOP NEWCOMER

• Soph. Michael Andrea, OF: One of a huge class of freshman and sophomores that represents the future of the program. Looks to crack the lineup and make a splash in league play.

BIG GAMES

Overlake vs. Bellevue Christian, April 22, 3:30 p.m.; April 26, 4 p.m.; and April 27, 7 p.m. (Bannerwood Field, Bellevue): Strange scheduling allows the Owls to play three consecutive league games against the always tough Vikings. Owls need to take the series here to make a push for a postseason berth coming down the home stretch.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Owls have one of the youngest squads in the history of the baseball program. Eighteen of the 23 players who turned out, are either freshmen or sophomores.

COACH’S QUOTE

“We lose most of our middle of the lineup guys from last year, having graduated four all-ECL players, two of whom are playing college ball (Danny Poplawski at Georgetown, Seth Bensussen at Washington University). We have a group of sophomores who are poised to be the next great class at Overlake if they continue to step up their game- guys like Jackson Umberger, Michael Andrea, and Aaron DiGenova, who played sparingly or not at all a year ago. They will be core guys this season, and if they can handle it, we will be just fine.” – Overlake coach Mike Davidson