Huskies face busy week versus familiar opponents

The Huskies face a busy stretch of four games in six days to close out the non-conference portion of the 2015 schedule in hopes of bettering their 2-5 record. As disappointing as North Marion's record through seven games may appear, they have played one of the toughest schedules across the state of Oregon. Five of the Huskies six games vs. Oregon schools have been against upper-classification opponents (3 vs. 5A opponents, 2 vs. 6A opponents). North Marion is one of just three teams in the state that has already played five upper-classification opponents (5A Liberty and 3A Cascade Christian).

UPCOMING WEEK, SOME FAMILIAR FACES

After playing a few unfamiliar opponents, the Huskies will shift to some more familiar foes with this upcoming week's slate of games. Here's the stark contrast in schedule:

Opponents in Opening Two Weeks:

• Sandy - first time in 10+ years

• Oregon City - second time in last 6 years

• Hudson's Bay (WA) - had not played in last 6 years

• North Bend - had not played in last 6 years

• Ridgeview - never played

Opponents in This Week:

• Monday, 6:30pm: Gladstone - former Tri-Valley and Capital Conference members, played three times per season

• Wednesday, 4:30pm: Astoria - played six times in last five years

• Thursday, 5:00pm: Wilson - one unfamiliar opponent

• Saturday, 12:00pm: Scappoose - played five times in last four years including two play-in games

GLADSTONE PREVIEW

The Gladiators enter this week with a 2-4 record, currently fifth place in the new-look Tri-Valley Conference. Gladstone began the season with two convincing home wins against Astoria and Sweet Home, before failing to win a game on their spring break swing through California. The Huskies claimed two of three games from Gladstone last season, winning 2-1 and 3-1 before dropping the finale 4-0. All five of the Huskies runs scored in the series came in the first inning while all six of the Gladiators runs came after the fourth inning. The Gladiators - who were also a part of the four-team tie in the Tri-Valley last season - ended 2014 with an 18-9 record which included a play-in round loss to Mazama. Gladstone returns first-team all-leaguers Trask Telesmanich and Ben Fox while losing AJ Swalko to graduation.

ASTORIA PREVIEW

The Fishermen are once again led by renowned head coach Dave Gasser who begins his eighth season at the helm of the Astoria program. Gasser's 694 wins are the most in the history of Oregon High School baseball. The Fishermen, much like the Huskies, have a troubling 2-3 record out of the gates but have faced some high-level talent (one 5A opponent, two 6A opponents). Astoria has a 1-1 record against 4A schools, being shutout 10-0 on opening day vs. Gladstone before coming back two days later to pitch a shutout of their own, beating Corbett 19-0. The Fishermen completed the 2014 campaign with a 16-8 record, beating South Umpqua in the play-in round before losing in the first round of the state playoffs to Philomath. In their one meeting last year, the Huskies walked off on Astoria in the bottom of the ninth inning in a tightly-contested nine-inning affair. The Fishermen will look similar to last season after graduating just three players.

WILSON PREVIEW

The Trojans have gotten the 6A chapter of their existance off to a 2-3 start. Wilson makes the jump from 5A to 6A this season as the Portland Interscholastic League switched formats from hybrid to strictly 6A this year. North Marion and Wilson already have two common opponents in 2015 as the Trojans have defeated La Salle and Tigard while the Huskies have been handed losses from both clubs. Wilson has dropped three tightly-contested matchups to Scappoose, Gresham, and Hillsboro. Wilson finished with a 9-17 mark in 2014 and had their season ended by the eventual state champion, Sandy, in the play-in round. The Trojans graduated just four players from last season's club.

SCAPPOOSE PREVIEW

North Marion fans will be looking to get revenge on the Indians who edged the boys basketball team in the state championship game. On the diamond, it is safe to say the two clubs have as big a rivalry as two non-conference opponents can have. Scappoose and North Marion have met five times in the last four years with the Indians coming out on top in four of the matches, although one win was vacated due to elgibility issues. The Indians put an end to North Marion's seasons in 2011 and 2012 with very narrow play-in victories. The Huskies have gotten the last laugh in the series, however, defeating Scappoose 2-0 on opening day in 2014. The Indians went on to finish 20-7 but were upset by La Grande in the first round of the state playoffs. Had Scappoose defeated La Grande in that contest, the Indians would have faced North Marion in the quarterfinals. Scappoose is off to a 4-3 start in 2015 with wins against Rainier (3A), two against Milwaukee (5A), and Wilson (6A) and losses to La Grande, Ontario, and Burns (2A/1A). The Indians lost six seniors off of last year's squad.

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