Michael Blake Jr., a 2008 graduate from Heritage High School, has one more year of community college ball left but he already knows where he will be headed for his junior year.
Blake signed with the University of Hawai’i, with the opportunity to pitch and/or hit for the Warriors.
Blake is still playing for the Mount Hood Community College team in Gresham, Ore. He said he did not play much his freshman year, but four-year colleges took notice of his play this past summer.
“My pitching really developed and my bat came round this summer, too,” Blake said. “Summer ball was huge for me.”
He said he picked Hawai’i for its team atmosphere and the program’s tradition of playing a tough schedule. He also said he was assured that he will have the opportunity to earn playing time his first season in Hawaii.
Blake was named to The Columbian’s All-Region baseball team as a junior and a senior with the Timberwolves.
Briefly
n Shane Geiger of the University of Portland placed 40th at the NCAA Division I West Region cross country meet Saturday in Springfield, Ore. The Camas High School graduate finished the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) course in 31 minutes, 51.78 seconds. The Pilots finished second to Stanford in the team race and advance to the NCAA championships Monday in Terre Haute, Ind.
n Shannon Porter finished 101st and Kat Ellis was 142nd at the NCAA Division I West Region women’s race. Porter (Boise State, Hockinson High School) finished the 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) in 22:59.35. Ellis (Southern California, Columbia River High School) finished in 23:45.07.
n Seattle Pacific goalkeeper Maddie Dickinson (Skyview High School) did not have to make a save during regulation time, but the Falcons lost in a penalty kick shootout to Cal State Chico in the opening round of the NCAA-II playoffs. SPU was defending champion.
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