Roster Announced for 2018 Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase Game

Walla Walla, Wash. – The roster for the 2018 Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase Game has been announced and includes some of the most talented high school baseball players in the Valley. The team is comprised of 14 players and they will take on the Walla Walla Sweets in a modified showcase-style exhibition game that will take place at Borleske Stadium on May 30 with first pitch slated for 6:35 PM.

Proceeds from the game will go to the Walla Walla Valley Youth Baseball & Softball non-profit organization. These funds are used by area youth teams and programs to fund operations, travel expenses and other developmental needs associated with providing youth of all backgrounds a chance to play baseball and softball – last year this event raised nearly $5,000.

Purchase tickets for the event here: Tickets to Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase Game

The showcase team will once again be managed by Sweets partner Jeff Cirillo. He played 14 years in Major League Baseball, was a 2-time All-Star and played collegiate baseball at USC. Cirillo continues to coach amateur baseball in the Seattle area and is also a scout for the Los Angeles Angels.

For more information on the game istelf, read the full story here: Sweets Set to Host 2nd Annual Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase Game

Participating High School Players:

Name:   Connor Lemma
Birthday:    November 27, 1999
Age:   18 Height:    5’11” Weight:    170
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA High School:    Walla Walla High School
College:    Pacific Lutheran University Year in HS:    2018
Position:    C Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Connor Lemma is graduating from Wa-Hi this summer, where he lettered with the varsity baseball team for three years. During the summer, he played his baseball with River City Athletics. Outside of baseball, he said he enjoys skiing, hiking and photography. This fall, Lemma will be attending Pacific Lutheran University to play baseball and plans to pursue a degree in physics and philosophy.

“I am honored to be able to play against the Sweets, as I have been watching them since their inaugural season,” Lemma said.

 

Name:   Jesus Vela
Birthday:    November 16, 1999
Age:   18 Height:    5’7″ Weight:  175
Hometown:    Milton-Freewater, OR High School:  McLoughlin High School
College:    Walla Walla Community College Year in HS:    Senior
Position:   1B Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Jesus Vela is a graduating senior from McLoughlin High School where he was a three-sport athlete having played baseball, soccer and basketball. He said though, by far, baseball is his favorite sport. Outside of sports, Vela said he enjoys bike riding and hiking. He plans to attend Walla Walla Community College in the fall and is attempting to play either baseball or soccer there.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the showcase game because it gives me the chance to show others that I have what it takes to play at the next level,” Vela said.

 

Name:   Kobe Morris
Birthday:    July 17, 2000
Age:   18 Height:   5’11” Weight:    182
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA High School:    College Place High School
College:    Undecided Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    3B, RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Kobe Morris put together one of the most impressive seasons in all of the Valley for College Place High School in 2018. He finished the regular season with a .538 batting average, four homeruns, and 36 RBI. On the mound, he had an unblemished 8-0 record with a 1.29 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched. Those numbers allowed him to take home the SCAC League Player of the Year honors as well as an SCAC All-Conference nod. Morris is currently undecided on where he will attend college, but a 3.8 GPA student and talented ball player such as himself should find a home before too long. His younger brother, Kyren, is also participating in the Showcase Game.

“It is an honor that my local community thinks I am worthy to play with my peers on such a high level in the Showcase Game,” Morris said. “More importantly, this game is a special recognition that I get to share with players that I’ve played with and against for more than 12 years. These other players have become my friends and people I admire, so being in the dugout with them one last time will be a special moment.”

 

Name:   Kyren Morris
Birthday:    February 24, 2001
Age:   17 Height:    6’0” Weight:    167
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA High School:    College Place High School
College:    N/A Year in HS:    Junior
Position:    SS, 2B Bats:    Left Throws:    Right

Kyren Morris had an equally impressive season to the one his older brother Kobe put together in 2018 for College Place High School. Kyren finished the regular season with a .517 batting average, 39 runs scored, 33 RBI and was named to the SCAC All Conference team. Morris is just one of two high school juniors who will be participating in the showcase game, a nod to how gifted of a player he is at a young age. Smart as he is talented at baseball, Morris also carries a 3.95 GPA in school.

“It is an honor to play in this showcase event and I look forward to playing with my teammates, friends, and for the coaches I’ve had throughout the years who have impacted me as a player and a person,” Morris said. “The showcase is a special recognition that I don’t take lightly, and I am grateful for those that think my play is worthy.”

 

Name:   Turner Edwards
Birthday:    October 10, 1999
Age:   18 Height:    6’2″ Weight:  175
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA High School:  Walla Walla High School
College:    Walla Walla Community College Year in HS:    Senior
Position:   OF, RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Turner Edwards is back to compete in the Showcase Game for the second consecutive year after putting together another impressive high school season. He is a graduating senior at Wa-Hi who is committed to play baseball at Walla Walla Community College in the fall. He said without all the great players and coaches in the area, that he wouldn’t be the player he is today.

“It is a great honor to be a part of this showcase game for the second year in a row,” Edwards said. “I take pride in my game and knowing that other people in the community can see that as well makes the game that much more special.”

 

Name:   Josh Bergevin
Birthday:   December 29, 1999
Age:   18 Height:    6’0” Weight:    170
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA High School:    Walla Walla High School
College:     WWCC or Blue Mountain CC Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    2B, 3B, OF Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Josh Bergevin has been a household name in the Valley when it comes to baseball all throughout his life. He has been a part of two Little League City Championships, two American Legion State Championships and the second most successful finish of any Walla Walla High School baseball team in 2017. He said that baseball has provided him with many memorable experiences, including a 12-day trip to Alaska last year and a tournament this summer that takes place in Omaha, Nebraska during the College World Series. He is undecided between Walla Walla Community College and Blue Mountain Community College but hopes to have the opportunity to continue his playing career at either school next year.

“It is a great honor to be nominated and selected to this showcase game,” Bergevin said. “I’ve never been the biggest, strongest or fastest player in my baseball career, so it’s extremely satisfying to know that hard work pays off and is recognized. I will be sure to remember this experience for a very long time.”

 

Name:   Daniel Naughton
Birthday:    March 8, 2000
Age:   18 Height:    6’0” Weight:    170
Hometown:    Pendleton, OR High School:    Pendleton High School
College:    Gonzaga University Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    3B, RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Daniel Naughton is another returner to the Showcase Game after participating in the event last year, and a big reason why is because of the tremendous season he put together for Pendleton High School. He was named the Columbia River Conference 2018 Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, first team All-Conference pitcher, second team All-Conference infielder and was recently named an Oregon first team All-State Pitcher. This summer, Naughton will take his talents to Bend, Oregon and play for the Bend Elks in the West Coast League. Following his summer season, he will begin his collegiate-baseball career at Gonzaga University.

“I’m honored to be invited to the Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase game for the second year,” Naughton said. “I am looking forward to playing under head coach Jeff Cirillo and alongside the area’s best high school baseball players.”

 

Name:   Nick Zehner
Birthday:    April 24, 1999
Age:   18 Height:    5’11” Weight:    185
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA High School:    Walla Walla High School
College:    Walla Walla Community College Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    OF, RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Nick Zehner was a two-sport athlete at Walla Walla High School, playing both baseball and football. He was the ace for the baseball team and was the starting quarterback and safety for the football team. He will continue attend Walla Walla Community College in the fall, where he plans to join the electrician program.

“I’m excited to be in this showcase because I’m able to show off my talent and play with some of the best high school players in the area,” Zehner said.

 

Name:   Alexander ‘Zander’ Norris
Birthday:    May 3, 2000
Age:   18 Height:   6’7” Weight:    195
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA High School:    Walla Walla High School
College:    Oberlin College Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Zander Norris was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Walla Walla. He said that he has been fortunate to have played with and be coached by some great people in the Valley since he began his baseball career. In the fall, Norris will attend Oberlin College in Ohio and plans to pursue a degree in economics and history while competing on the baseball team.

“It’s an honor to be invited to play with the Sweets and some of the most talented players from all over the Valley in the Showcase Game,” Norris said.

 

Name:   Parker Likes
Birthday:    August 27, 1999
Age:   18 Height:    6’2” Weight:    195
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA High School:    Walla Walla High School
College:    Walla Walla Community College Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    LF, 1B Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Parker Likes will graduate from Walla Walla High School with a cumulative 3.9 GPA. He said that he enjoys a good round of Fortnite and is interested in underwater basket weaving. Likes will attend Walla Walla Community College in the fall and be a part of the school’s honors program, but he plans to eventually transfer to Washington State University and pursue a degree in engineering.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to take part in the Showcase Game,” Likes said. “I’m looking forward to lacing it up and playing one last time with the boys.”

 

Name:   Silas Shumate
Birthday:    September 26, 1999
Age:   18 Height:    6’ 2’’ Weight:    170
Hometown:    Walla Walla, WA. High School:    College Place High School
College:    College of Idaho Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    CF, IF, RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Silas Shumate has been a staple of College Place High School baseball, having played there for the last four years. He said that outside of baseball, he enjoys hunting, fishing and farming in the summer. He will be attending the College of Idaho in the fall, where he will play for the school’s baseball team. Shumate plans to major in environmental studies with minors in education, criminal justice and history.

“It’s a great honor to get to play in the Showcase Game,” Shumate said. “I think it’s a great way to really see what you got alongside some of the best high school players in the area.”

 

Name:   Joseph Helm
Birthday:    July 7, 2000
Age:   17 Height:    6’0” Weight:    180
Hometown:    Dayton High School:    Dayton High School
College:    Willamette University Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    C, 2B, RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Joseph Helm has grown up in the Valley his entire life and he said he takes a lot of pride in that. He originally lived in Walla Walla but moved to Dayton when he was in third grade. Helm said that his father is a very important person in his life, having been coached by him from t-ball all the way up through his freshman year of high school. He also said that he’s made a lot of connections through sports and that they have played a huge role in his life. Helm will attend Willamette University in Salem, Oregon in the fall and will play football there while he pursues a career as a criminal profiler.

“I feel honored to have been chosen to represent the Dayton-Waitsburg communities for the Walla Walla Valley,” Helm said. “I have received an enormous amount of support and encouragement from both communities and hope to make them proud. Being a part of this showcase game has taught me that working hard and dedicating myself does not go unrewarded.”

 

Name:   Kyler Tiner
Birthday:    May 9, 2000
Age:   18 Height:   5’8” Weight:
Hometown:    Dixie, WA High School:    College Place High School
College:    N/A Year in HS:    Junior
Position:    OF, RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Kyler Tiner is one of two juniors participating in the showcase this year, which should give fans an idea of how talented this young man is. He plans to go to school in-state somewhere in Washington but is currently undecided. He plays for the College Place High School varsity baseball team and on the season carries a .500 batting average in 62 at-bats.

“It is an honor to be a part of this showcase game,” Tiner said. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call, it all seemed surreal.”

 

Name:   Benjamin Ortiz
Birthday:    April 11, 2000
Age:   18 Height: Weight:
Hometown:    Touchet, WA High School:    Walla Walla High School
College:    Whitman College Year in HS:    Senior
Position:    C, RHP Bats:    Right Throws:    Right

Benjamin Ortiz is currently a senior at Walla Walla High School, but this is only his first year at the school after transferring from Touchet this past fall. On the season for the Wa-Hi varsity baseball team, Ortiz finished with a .375 batting average. He plans to go to Whitman College in the fall and continue his education as well as his baseball career.

“It is very special that I am able to be a part of this showcase game,” Ortiz said.

By: Brandon Pavlina

Date: May 21, 2018