Superb seniors lead Wildcats on diamond

Senior infielders lead the charge.

By Shaun Scott • March 20, 2019 2:08 pm
Mount Si Wildcats senior infielders Spencer Marenco, left, and Trace Halvorson, right, have been part of the varsity baseball team since their freshman season in 2016. Shaun Scott, staff photo
Mount Si Wildcats senior infielders Spencer Marenco, left, and Trace Halvorson, right, have been part of the varsity baseball team since their freshman season in 2016. Shaun Scott, staff photo

Saying a lot without saying a word is the mantra of Mount Si Wildcats infielders Spencer Marenco and Trace Halvorson on the baseball field.

Marenco, who splits his time between shortstop and second base, is jovial about playing beside one of his best friends for the fourth consecutive year. Halvorson plays third base for the Wildcats.

“We’re just always on the same page. It helps that we’ve played four years together and have developed a great friendship,” Marenco said.

Halvorson, who plays the outfield for his summer league squad, has no qualms about moving to the hot corner during the high school spring season.

“I’ve had to step up and play third base for us. I’ve had a really good time. It is always nice to look over and see Spencer there. When you know you have that kind of chemistry, it calms you down. It is fun playing with your friends,” Halvorson explained.

The Wildcats have been proverbial road warriors since 2017. The Wildcats, who lost their baseball field prior to the 2017 season due to the construction of the new high school, are playing their home games at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue for the third consecutive season this spring. The Wildcats split their practice sessions between Bannerwood Park and Ravensdale Park. Ravensdale Park is 18 miles from Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie. The brand new Mount Si High School baseball field is expected to be completed in time for the 2020 season.

“Over the years, we’ve gotten used to it. It is not a big deal anymore,” Marenco said.

Halvorson said the constant travel has proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Wildcats.

“At first it was kind of a drag. You get home late but over the years we’ve really turned it into something fun. When we get on that bus, we have a lot of team bonding. We have rap battles. It is pretty fun,” Halvorson said.

Marenco said the tradition of excellence in all sports at Mount Si is something that doesn’t intimidate anyone on the roster.

“To us, it’s not a big deal. We just go out and play. You just got to forget about the outside stuff and stick to our main stuff,” Marenco said.