Hegdahl, Grizzlies honored – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2004-06-04

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Hegdahl, Grizzlies honored Jun 04, 2004 12:00 AM A A Staff and Wire Reports — Ashland High senior pitcher Chad Hegdahl was named a first-team — all-Southern Oregon Conference pitcher for the third year in a row, but — did not get enough votes by the SOC coaches to gain what would have been — his first Player of the Year award. — Three Grizzlies joined Hegdahl on the all-star list: senior — Brian Ross was a second-team catcher; senior Jackson Rowe was a second-team — first baseman; and senior Rocky Reeser was an honorable mention infielder. — Hegdahl also earned second-team status for his work in — the outfield. — North Medford senior catcher Rob Folsom was voted the — SOC Player of the Year for the second year in a row. He hit .426 with — 22 RBIs, seven stolen bases, six home runs and 21 runs scored in the 21-game — conference season. — "I was pretty surprised, actually," Folsom said of being — named player of the year. "I set goals before the season started, and — I didn't feel like I had as good of a season as I could've." — "Player of the year twice is a nice compliment from the — coaches and from the rest of the SOC," added Folsom, who has been a first-team — all-SOC catcher all four years at North. "It's a good feeling knowing — other people respect what you do." — Hegdahl batted .517 in league play with 16 RBIs, 12 doubles — and 20 runs scored. His slugging percentage in league play was .817. He — also excelled on the mound, where — — — — he carried a 2.29 ERA in SOC games with 56 strikeouts — and a 5-3 record. — Ross batted .310 in league play with 14 RBIs, Rowe batted — .313 with 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored and Reeser batted .300 with 14 RBIs. — All played critical roles in the Grizzly defense as well. — Other North stars to earn first-team recognition were — senior shortstop Beau Hovland (.427, 20 runs, 11 RBIs), senior outfielder — Russ Vandell (.500, 20 runs, 12 RBIs), sophomore first baseman Abe Eubank — (.386, 20 runs, 15 RBIs) and junior pitcher Josh Suarez (5-1, 1.63 ERA, — 44 strikeouts). — Hovland was also an honorable mention pitcher, while Suarez — was an honorable mention outfielder. — South Medford's Steve Antich was named coach of the year — for his team's record-setting achievements. — Besides earning the school's first baseball crown, the — Panthers set a school record with 21 wins against six losses. — "I grew up playing in the conference and have a great — deal of respect for it," said Antich. "I'm just honored to be considered — this year for coach of the year. I'm very proud of that and very proud — of the kids. — "The kids had a good year and played hard. When you do — that, people associated with the team get recognition." — Senior center fielder Corey O'Neill and junior left fielder — Dan Chancler earned repeat selections to the first team, with each player's — defensive contributions adding to solid years at the plate. — O'Neill hit .323 with 14 RBIs and 20 runs in SOC play, — while Chancler hit .406 with 18 runs and seven RBIs. — Senior pitcher Tim Holtz also earned a spot on the first — team after posting a 6-2 record and 2.43 ERA in league. — Also earning first-team recognition for South were senior — first baseman Allen Smith (.329, 12 runs, 20 RBIs) and senior shortstop — Andy Narus (.364, 18 runs, 13 RBIs). — Crater shortstop Adam Reed (.338 overall) and Hegdahl — were the only other first-team repeaters. — Besides North and South, Roseburg was the only other school — to earn multiple first-team honors in sophomore outfielder Blake Keitzman — and junior utility player Dusty Brigham. Keitzman was also named a second-team — pitcher. — Also named to the 17-player first team were Eagle Point — catcher Ricky O'Callahan (.366 overall), Klamath Union pitcher Daniel — Bennett (5-5, 1.68 ERA overall) and Grants Pass infielder Mike Mills (.424 — overall). — Folsom, who hit safely in 99 of 110 career games for the — Tornado, capped his run at North with career records for home runs (18), — triples (11), doubles (27), RBIs (106), at-bats (362) and hits (171). — He also owns records for career walks (70), batting average (.472), slugging — percentage (.755), runs scored (132) and on-base percentage (.568). — Folsom also stands as North's single-season leader in — home runs (nine in 2003), batting average (.541 in 2003), slugging percentage — (1.010 in 2003), runs (44 in 2003) and on-base percentage (.602 in 2003). — He is tied with Colby Gonzales for most hits in a season with 53 in 2003. — North's second-round loss at Gresham kept Folsom from — claiming yet another honor after finishing one short of Nate Mayben's — record of 111 games played at North. The Black Tornado finished 21-7 overall. — "He'll be missed," North Medford head coach Brett Wolfe — said of Folsom. "The other coaches around the league won't miss him, but — we'll sure miss him. Hopefully we can find some young kids in the program — who have watched him and will be able to emulate some of those things — Rob's done so well for us." — — SOC Baseball All-Conference — FIRST TEAM — Player Pos. Team Yr. — Chad Hegdahl P Ashland Sr. — Tim Holtz P South Medford Sr. — Daniel Bennett P Klamath Union Sr. — Josh Suarez P North Medford Jr. — Rob Folsom C North Medford Sr. — Ricky O'Callahan C Eagle Point Sr. — Allen Smith 1B South Medford Sr. — Abe Eubank 1B North Medford So. — Mike Mills IF Grants Pass Jr. — Andy Narus IF South Medford Sr. — Beau Hovland IF North Medford Sr. — Adam Reed IF Crater Sr. — Russ Vandell OF North Medford Sr. — Corey O'Neill OF South Medford Sr. — Dan Chancler OF South Medford Jr. — Blake Keitzman OF Roseburg So. — Dusty Brigham UT Roseburg Jr. — — PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Rob Folsom, North Medford. — COACH OF THE YEAR - Steve Antich, South Medford. — — SECOND TEAM — Player Pos. Team Yr. — Blake Keitzman P Roseburg So. — Nolan Morgan P Grants Pass Jr. — Rick Imhausen P South Medford So. — Brian Ross C Ashland Sr. — Justin Meyer C South Medford Jr. — Sean Teaters 1B Crater Sr. — Jackson Rowe 1B Ashland Sr. — Tyler Heil IF South Medford Jr. — Cory Spires IF Klamath Union Sr. — Charles Behnke IF North Medford Sr. — Aaron Buxton IF Roseburg Sr. — Kerry Hall IF Roseburg Sr. — Sean Anderson OF Klamath Union Sr. — Chad Hegdahl OF Ashland Sr. — Logan Boyd OF South Medford Jr. — Dan Whitehead OF Crater Sr. — Matt Cowell UT Grants Pass Sr. — — HONORABLE MENTION — Pitcher - Ricky O'Callahan, Eagle Point, Sr.; Ron Depuy, — Eagle Point, Sr.; Kurtis Knutson, Crater, Sr.; Ryan Robinson, Roseburg, — Sr.; Cole Rohrbough, North Medford, Jr.; Beau Hovland, North Medford, — Sr.; Matt Bryant, South Medford, Sr. — Catcher - None. — First Base - None. — Infield - Rocky Reeser, Ashland, Sr.; Joe Kahut, Crater, — Sr.; Ryan Augino, Eagle Point, Jr.; Jimmy Blake, Grants Pass, Sr. — Outfield - Josh Suarez, North Medford, Jr.; Nolan Morgan, — Grants Pass, Jr.; Patrick Allen, Grants Pass, Jr. — Utility - Kyle Williamson, North Medford, Jr.