Ed Hardenbrook

Baseball at Lakes High School flourished from 1972-89 under the direction of head coach Ed Hardenbrook, who guided the Lancers to four South Puget Sound League titles and one state crown in two championship game appearances.

Hardenbrook was born Jan. 29, 1934, in Cosmopolis, Wash. Growing up in Aberdeen, he played baseball at Weatherwax High School and in the Grays Harbor semi-pro summer league. After graduating in 1952, he embarked on a four-year college career at Central Washington, at the same time playing more semi-pro summer ball for the Deming Loggers and Snohomish. His playing days came to an end only after two more years of ball while in the U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Hardenbrook coached baseball at Mann Junior High from 1960-71 before taking over the job at Lakes High School. His 1974 team finished 23-4 and won league, regional and state championships. Pitcher Mike Wholey was the team’s star, throwing a shutout in the state semifinals and pitching in both the Pierce County and state all-star games. The team was built on pitching, defense, speed and hard work. What was most remarkable about the Lancers was that none of the 16 players were born in the state. Many were from military families that came to the area from bases overseas and in other states.

Hardenbrook led the 1979 Lakes team to a 19-9 record and into the state tournament where the Lancers finished as runner-up. Some of his other top teams included his 1981 squad that won the SPSL and finished with an 18-3 record, and the 1982 team that also took the SPSL title on the way to a 16-6 finish.

In addition to coaching school teams, Hardenbrook coached summer youth baseball from 1960-86. Rick Austin, a major league pitcher, and Harold Adams, the 1973 state all-star game MVP, were among his standout players. Hardenbrook coached in four Pierce County all-star games and in one state all-star contest. He was an inaugural member of the Washington State High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988 and is also in the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Hall of Fame. He started teaching and coaching back in 1959 and didn’t stop until his retirement in 1996.