ACH gets back to the diamond with hopes to return to state

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors baseball team is ready to get back onto the baseball field this spring after finishing their basketball season in the final round of the state tournament. For baseball, the Warriors have set their sights on returning to state after finishing third last season. 

“We’re excited,” said Warriors Head Coach Hunter Lee. “Obviously it’s tough to make the transition when you’re a (small) school like us. When you’re playing on the final weekend, it’s a very quick transition to go from all in on basketball on Saturday, then Monday, you’re in a completely different sport. It’s hard to make that transition, but it’s what you get for being good.” 

The Warriors had a very successful 2025 season, ending with a 19-4 record and advancing through districts to enter the state tournament as the number three seed.  

ACH found success in the quarterfinals against the 11th seed Wahkiakum to win 7-3, but fell in the semifinals to DeSales 1-4. During the state finals, the Warriors rallied to beat Naselle 3-1 and claim third place. 

Though the Warriors graduated seven seniors in the offseason, Lee said they are seeing strong returners such as Caden Correia, a senior who earned league MVP last season, and All-League players Josh Booker, a senior, and Max Grindy, a junior. Along with some experienced returning players, ACH has a strong group of younger guys who will be working to step up and fill in some roles on the team. 

“We're bringing back a lot of guys from (last year’s) team,” said the coach. “We lost some valuable pieces for sure, but a lot of guys played last year and they’re going to play like they did last year.” 

With a large group of experienced players returning for the Warriors this season, the goal of getting back to the state tournament is something that lingers on their minds. Lee said players like Corriea and Grindy, who have been playing since they were in eighth grade, are going to be important in team leadership, building up the younger players to step into the varsity lineup and complement the abilities of the experienced returners. 

Many of the boys are just coming out of the basketball season and Lee said the main focus for the early season practices is arm health and making sure the Warriors make a smooth transition physically into the baseball season. The Warriors turnaround into the baseball season will be fast this year as they have 11 days to get prepared before their first set of games. 

“We’re going to have to get our arms ready to go early,” said Lee. “Thankfully, we have a lot of pitchers, so we’re going to use a bunch of different guys to start the season.” 

The Warriors begin their season March 21 with a home doubleheader against Odessa at the Hartline Ball Fields. The first game starts at noon and the follow-up game is at 2 p.m. 

    Warriors player Josh Booker smashes the ball across the field last season against DeSales in the state tourney. Booker is among the returning seniors.
  

    Max Grindy, who is a junior this year with ACH, prepares to take a swing at a pitch last season.
  

    ACH players gather along the fencing outside the dugout during the state tournament last season.