FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Oct 9, 2017—Port Angeles, WA—The Port Angeles Lefties have named Darren Westergard as the new Head Coach, after the post-season resignation of Coach Zach Miller. Westergard is currently at Skagit Valley College. This will be his twelfth season at SVC.
“I’ve known Darren for over twenty years. I’m excited to have him on board,” said Lefties owner Matt Acker. “He knows baseball, talent and is connected in the baseball community. Darren is an experienced coach and a good person. He’s confident in himself and that can be infectious with players. Having been all over the country as a summer ball coach, he has created a vast network. Darren comes to win games. He’s going to do a great job.”
Westergard is a Washington native, graduating from Centralia High School in 1992. He landed at Western Oregon University, then went on to play professional ball in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Darren’s first head coaching job was for the Bellingham Bells, prior to the creation of the West Coast League. He’s been a long-time college assistant coach, preferring to only take the reins in the summer season. Darren has coached many leagues, most recently spending five years in the Alaska League as the Head Coach for the Anchorage Pilots.
“I’m excited to be coaching in Port Angeles,” said Coach Westergard. “Port Angeles is no stranger to hard work, it’s a scrappy, blue collar town, and the Lefties are an exceptional organization.” Asked about his plan to take the Lefties to the WCL Championship next year, he said, “ It takes time to put together a good roster, and we’re getting to work. We are going to get our guys from the bigger schools. We’re attacking that right now. I like the roster to be primarily from the SEC, ACC and Pac-12. I’m looking forward to using my network to bring in top-tier talent from all over the country. I’ve had success in other leagues, I feel I have a good pulse on the WCL. Matt wants to win, I know Port Angeles wants to win, I’m coming to win games.”
Westergard replaces Miller, who coached the Lefties to a 19-34 record in 2017. When Acker announced the resignation, he thanked Coach Miller for a memorable first season. “We had a wonderful experience with Coach Miller this year. Unfortunately, he has some personal responsibilities that will keep him from returning next season. The Lefties enjoyed having him as a coach, and, though we understand, he will be missed. We wish him all the best.”
“It was an honor and privilege to work with this team and the incredible group of players we brought to the Peninsula,” Miller said. “The opportunity to be one of the first Lefties and positively effect the lives of these young men and this community was one I couldn’t pass up. Thanks to Lefties Baseball and Port Angeles. This is a strong organization with a great future, and leaving is definitely bittersweet.”