Varsity 541

PREP BASEBALL

Phoenix's Decker gains all-state honor

The senior pitcher joins four Hidden Valley players on the Class 4A list

Mail Tribune
June 17, 2009

As the only returning player for the Phoenix baseball team this past spring, senior Jordan Decker carried a considerable weight on his shoulders.

As the Pirates' leading pitcher and one of the top hitters on the team, Decker came through in a big way all season and, for his efforts, was recently named to the Class 4A all-state second team.

"He threw every big game for us and was the heart and soul for us every game out," said Phoenix coach Hank Munn. "I can't say enough about the kid and what he did for us."

Decker finished the season with a 6-3 pitching record, sporting a 1.67 ERA with an average of nine strikeouts and just over two walks per game. He also hit .368 with 21 runs scored and a team-high 28 RBIs and four home runs.

"He's something special," added Munn. "We're going to miss him. He's going to be hard to replace."

Skyline Conference player of the year Ryan Hayden of Hidden Valley was the conference's lone first-team selection on the all-state squad after leading the 4A ranks in home runs (12) and RBIs (48). The senior hit .523 overall and was also 8-2 on the mound as the Mustangs' ace.

"He's been our best player for four years now and is just never satisfied," said Hidden Valley coach Travis Osborne, who was the Skyline coach of the year. "I told him he could get better after every year and he actually went out and did get better."

Fellow Mustangs Clint Sager (senior catcher), Dylan Albertson (junior infielder) and Mike Suthann (senior outfielder) were named to the all-state second team.

"It says a lot about our kids," Osborne said of the all-state honors. "Truthfully, we probably had a couple others that could've gotten some mention as well."

Hidden Valley went 11-1 in league play to claim the Skyline title and finished 23-5 overall, falling to eventual champion Astoria 8-2 in the 4A semifinals. The Fishermen were led by senior Jordan Poyer, who was named 4A co-player of the year with North Bend's Bryce Weidman. Astoria's Dave Gasser was also named 4A coach of the year.

At the all-conference level, joining Decker on the first team for the 16-9 Pirates was sophomore infielder Justin Bohn, who was also a second-team pitcher.

Bohn hit a team-best .414 to go with 29 runs and 24 RBIs. On the mound, he posted a 5-0 record and 1.71 ERA.

"Justin just knows how to play the game," said Munn, whose team was third in the Skyline at 7-5. "He carries himself like a professional already. If you had to take on our lineup day after day, Justin Bohn is the hardest out in our lineup. And he helped hold our defense together, too."

Hidden Valley and fellow 4A semifinalist Henley (16-12, 8-4 Skyline) dominated the all-conference first team with six and five selections, respectively.

Henley senior catcher Kyle Hankins was a third-team all-state selection, while senior teammate Ethan Pace was an honorable mention infielder.

All-Skyline Baseball

FIRST TEAM

P — Jordan Decker, Phoenix Sr.

P — Ryan Hayden, Hidden Valley Sr.

P — Doug North, Henley So.

C — Kyle Hankins, Henley Sr.

C — Clint Sager, Hidden Valley Sr.

IF — Dylan Albertson, Hidden Valley Sr.

IF — Justin Bohn, Phoenix So.

IF — Ryan Hayden, Hidden Valley Sr.

IF — Ethan Pace, Henley Sr.

1B — David Rosser, Henley Jr.

OF — Seth Aamatti, Hidden Valley Jr.

OF — Kevin Gordon, Henley So.

OF — Joel Shippy, North Valley So.

OF — Michael Suthann, Hidden Valley Sr.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Ryan Hayden, Hidden Valley.

COACH OF THE YEAR — Travis Osborne, Hidden Valley.

SECOND TEAM

P — Taylor Bars, Hidden Valley Jr.

P — Justin Bohn, Phoenix So.

P — Logan Werner, North Valley Sr.

C — Cody Austin, North Valley Sr.

C — Kameron Kaufman, Phoenix So.

IF — Christian Adam, Phoenix So.

IF — Zane Fernlund, Henley Sr.

IF — Andrew McLaughlin, Illinois Valley Fr.

IF — Josh Tally, Phoenix Sr.

1B — Taylor Bars, Hidden Valley Jr.

OF — Nick Bellenbaum, Hidden Valley Jr.

OF — Cory Glasgow, Illinois Valley Sr.

OF — Jake Herr, Henley Jr.

OF — Kasy Locken, Phoenix Sr.

UT — John Florey, Phoenix Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Dylan Armanino, UT, Jr., Hidden Valley; Stephan Bigby, UT, Jr., Henley; Chris Carlton, UT, Sr., Illinois Valley; John Cullen, UT, So., Henley; Antonio Escalante, P, Sr., Illinois Valley; Antonio Escalante, 1B, Sr., Illinois Valley; David Parker, UT, Jr., North Valley; Curtis Paulson, C, So., Illinois Valley; Skyler Reagan, OF, Jr., Phoenix; Michael Suthann, P, Sr., Hidden Valley; Jeff Suthann, IF, So., Hidden Valley; Kyle Treadway, 1B, So., Phoenix; Logan Werner, 1B, Sr., North Valley.

Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail khenry@mailtribune.com