Incoming Recruits

For MXC. Saw this referenced on Twitter: http://portlandpilots.com/news/2013/2/20/MXC_0220134659.aspx

Nice. I've heard only good things about our assistant coach Jesse.

Always good to hear positive news about the baseball program.....it was another tough year for the Pilots. From the Oregonian:

Clackamas pitcher/third baseman Austin Kelly has been named the 2012-13 Gatorade Oregon Baseball Player of the Year. The award annually recognizes academic achievement and exemplary character in addition to athletic excellence.

Kelly, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior, is batting .418 (33 for 79) with 11 doubles, two triples, three homers, and 23 RBIs heading into today's OSAA Class 6A semifinal against Southridge.

On the mound, the University of Portland-bound right-hander has gone 9-1 with a 1.27 ERA, allowing 15 runs on 33 hits, walking 25 and striking out 49 in 55 innings pitched.

Kelly went the distance in last week's 12-0 quarterfinal win over Thurston, blanking the Colts of Springfield on one hit with five walks and seven strikeouts to lift the Cavaliers (26-3) into the semifinals for the third time in six seasons.

So UP can get Oregon recruits! Well, at least in a couple sports.

I’m hoping his name is not an indication of his prowess in the outfield, but Ryan Littlefield signed a LOI with the UP on Thursday.

Littlefield recently capped his decorated high school career with first-team all-state and Greater St. Helens 2A Player of the Year honors at Mark Morris High School in Longview.

Littlefield, who will likely suit up as an outfielder for the Pilots, touted Portland’s academics and tight-knit community as major selling points behind his choice….but I really loved what he said about the school, and maybe some of his classmates too:

“It’s not this huge university… Everyone is like a family there….The baseball team knows the volleyball team…They hang out all the time and support each other.”