Preview: Target on their backs

After taking the Tri-Valley Conference title in 2013 and posting one of the best conference records in league history, the Huskies will certainly be circled on many opponents' schedules this upcoming year. North Marion, however, certainly has the potential to handle the target on their backs, returning all but one of last year's key individuals. That list of returners includes Tri-Valley Conference Player of the Year Kyle Williamson, Tri-Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year Brock Breshears, Tri-Valley Conference Coach of the Year Randy Brack, and First Team All-State Member Tristan Wampole.

The biggest question mark surrounding North Marion's 2014 campaign is who will fill the shoes of graduated starting pitcher / center fielder Wyatt Moore. Moore racked up a team-leading thirteen starts in his senior season, posting a 6-4 record. He was the hard-throwing righty that complemented the pitch-to-contact style of Brock Breshears, pairing for one of the best one-two punches in the state in terms of pitching. Breshears - who went 10-1 in nine starts last year - returns as the Huskies' ace. But North Marion will need to find a good second option to backup Breshears in the pitching rotation.

Offensively, the Huskies return their top two players offensively and seven of their top eight. Keltin Boykin - who was third in batting average - transferred to Canby, but Williamson and Wampole return as North Marion's best bats, both batting over 0.400 on the season. The Huskies will look to build off of last year's offense that outscored conference opponents 95-37.

As has been the norm at North Marion, the Huskies have lined up a challenging non-conference schedule. Corvallis, Lakeridge, and Wilsonville are all upper-classification opponents who North Marion will encounter in the preseason. 4A baseball powerhouses Astoria, Newport, and Scappoose are also penciled in on the calendar, in addition to the talented field of teams visiting Bob Brack Stadium for the annual Spring Break Tournament.

The season is set to get going on Monday, March 17 as North Marion hosts an opening day contest vs. the Scappoose Indians who posted a 12-13 mark in 2013. The Huskies will look to end a frustrating streak of three losses to Scappoose including two season-ending play-in losses in 2011 and 2012. First pitch is set for 5:00pm from the West Coast's No. 1-rated high school baseball facility.

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