In the Media: Nine Huskies selected for all-league honors

AURORA — When nine players from a baseball team get selected for some sort of league honors, that team must have had a pretty good season.

Such was the case for North Marion this year, as every full-time starter on the team earned some sort of Capital Conference recognition, including five first-teamers and the league’s player of the year.

During the season, the Huskies won the conference title for the 14th time in school history and finished the year with an overall record of 22-7. For the second year in a row, the Huskies were ousted from the Class 4A state playoffs by eventual state finalist Astoria. Defending state champion Astoria lost this year’s title game 2-1 to Scappoose in eight innings on Saturday.

North Marion seniors Joe Piercey (pitcher), Jordan Hopper (pitcher), A.J. Miller (second baseman), Kaj Pearson (utility) and junior Adam Hayden (first baseman) were all first-team selections.

Piercey, who recently signed a letter of intent to play for Lower Columbia Community College in Longview, Wash., was also honored as the Capital Conference player of the year and a first-team all-state selection.

Heading into the postseason, Piercey pitched in 14 games, going 8-2 in nine starts. Both his losses were by 1-0 deficits. He pitched nine complete games and tossed four shutouts, while striking out 133 and walking just 40. He held opposing hitters to a miniscule .139 average and his ERA was an equally impressive 0.83.

Piercey also guided the Huskies to their first state playoff win since 2006, throwing a complete game shutout against La Grande on May 26.

Huskies coach Randy Brack said there really was no debate about Piercey being the league’s top pitcher, and said he has a good shot at transferring to a four-year school after competing at Lower Columbia.

“When he went up (to Lower Columbia) they just fell in love with him,” said Brack. “And they’re planning on making him one of their starters next year as a freshman. They’re really high on him and they just got done winning the NWAAC championship. It’s a very good program, so he’s pretty highly thought of by them, and I think it will be a good situation for him.”

At the plate, Piercey also led the Huskies in runs scored (27), walks (38) and stolen bases (17).

Piercey and Hopper were both chosen as part of the 4A all-star series, which will be held June 19 and 20 in Roseburg.

Hopper was hitting .292 heading into the playoffs, while leading the team in hits (21) and recording a 6-0 record on the hill. His ERA of 1.81 was third-best on a team that was chock full of pitching.

Miller hit .294 heading into the postseason and led the team in on-base percentage (.495) and sacrifices (five). He was also an impact player with his speed, stealing 14 bases in just 15 attempts.

Pearson led the team with a .390 average while splitting time between first base and designated hitter, and had the team’s top slugging percentage (.488).

Hayden, who was also selected as an all-state honorable mention, led the Huskies with 23 RBIs and hit one of three of the Huskies’ home runs. Hayden was also a key member of the Huskies’ pitching staff, tallying a record of 6-1 with an ERA of 1.08. As a team, North Marion’s ERA was just 1.92 heading into the postseason.

Other athletes earning second-team honors were senior catcher Zach Borowczak (.295 average, .475 slugging percentage, five doubles, two home runs) and junior outfielder Ian Moore (.262 average, .359 on-base percentage, four doubles).

Junior outfielder Kip Pearson and junior infielder Robert Ramirez were honorable mentions.

While the team will graduate nine seniors from this year’s roster, Brack said the team could be tough again next season.

“There’s a lot of seniors, but I really like the group that’s coming back,” he said.

He said the Huskies have a lot of depth at pitching and they only need to fill one spot in the infield. However, the catcher’s position might be the most important spot to replace, without having any players with varsity experience at catcher.

In addition to Piercey, Brack said three other North Marion seniors have expressed interest in playing college baseball.

According to Brack, Hopper initially considered playing junior college, but is now leaning toward George Fox University; Miller will walk on at Linn-Benton Community College; Borowczak is planning to play for Lane Community College.

“That’s good to have four guys go on and play (in college),” said Brack, “because I don’t care how good you are, you’re lucky if you have one that wants to play.”

Now the team turns its attention to the American Legion season, which will comprise of about 30 games in 40 days.

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