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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2019)
SPORTS A10 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 Hermiston’s Ramirez taking his game to California good season and I’m looking forward to it.” The Bulldogs struggled in Jordan Ramirez was a their fi rst year in the MCC, standout football, basketball but Ramirez said the quality and baseball player at Herm- of pitching he faced will help iston High School, but the him at the next level. “The Washington kids recent graduate put his focus on baseball his junior year in throw fast and know where hopes of getting a chance to to place the ball,” Ramirez said. “I think what really play at the college level. threw me off was all the That day has come. left-handed pitch- Ramirez signed to ers — and their ball play at Santa Barbara moves.” City College three Blue Mountain weeks ago after mak- and Columbia Basin ing a visit to the Cali- College in Pasco fornia school. showed interest in “I went for a visit Ramirez, but he was and it was nice,” Ramirez hoping for a little Ramirez said. “The more. Moore was coach (Jeff Walker) was really cool. I had inter- able to help him out. “When you are in a coach- est from Blue Mountain, and no offense, but this is a better ing community, you know coaches in certain areas,” experience.” Led by pitcher Ian Chur- Moore said. “I called around, chill, the Vaqueros fi nished and someone gave me the 24-15 last year, including name of the Santa Barbara a 13-7 record in the West- coach. They had a couple of ern State Conference North. openings. I made the connec- They have reached the play- tion, it was up to him.” Moore said Ramirez, who offs nine consecutive years. Ramirez is coming off his also pitched a few innings senior year, where he was a this past season, is well fi rst-team all-Mid-Columbia suited for the outfi eld. “There is space for him to Conference outfi elder. He hit .396 and struck out just four roam,” Moore said. “He has a lot of range and a strong times in 48 at-bats. “Jordan deserves to go arm. This will be a good play (at the college level),” opportunity for him. In Cal- Hermiston coach Kevin ifornia, you can play all year Moore said. “It also lets peo- around.” Ramirez, who plans to ple in the Hermiston com- munity know that a kid can study business, knows he go play college baseball. couldn’t have reached the It makes our program look next level without a little help, and he was quick to good.” The 5-foot-11, 170-pound give credit to his coaches Ramirez, who was a receiver along the way. “I want to thank coach in football and a guard on the basketball team, said it will (Lance) Hawkins and coach be good for him to focus on (John) Christy for believing in me my sophomore year just one sport. “I can’t wait to get down and helping me develop my there and show my skills,” game,” Ramirez said. “And he said. “Since my junior coach Moore, for making me year, I chose baseball to be trust the system. I learned a my main priority. I had a lot of things from him.” By ANNIE FOWLER STAFF WRITER Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Hermiston’s Robert Sloan makes a handoff to a fellow player during a drill on the fi rst day of Hermiston football practice Wednesday afternoon. Hermiston football opens camp By ANNIE FOWLER STAFF WRITER When 118 high school guys show up for football practice at 5 a.m., that is commitment. Hermiston coach David Faaeteete was pleased to see so many players bright- eyed and bushy tailed last week as the sun was rising. “It was super energetic,” Faaeteete said on Aug. 21. “They were all on the same fi eld and had a lot of energy. It brought smiles to the coaches’ faces. It was fun with a lot of positive energy. Not a bad fi rst day.” The players weathered a strong wind and rain in the afternoon practice ses- sion, but they did not seem to care. “Honestly, by the grace of God, we got a bad day,” senior Garrett Walchli said of the weather. “You fi nd out who the dogs are, and who the pups are. We’ve been training and lifting, and to fi nally get the hel- mets on, that is the fi rst step. I think kids are getting an idea of what Hermiston football is all about.” The Bulldogs, who will be entering their second season in Mid-Columbia Conference, are having to replace their backfi eld with the loss of three-year start- ing quarterback Andrew James, and running back Wyatt Noland. The second- ary also was depleted by graduation. There will be battles for all jobs. “I’ve been in this coach- ing game 11 or 12 years, and you don’t know what you have until you get into camp,” Faaeteete said. “Other teams have to get ready too. Other teams lost players, but we lost the most.” Walchli and senior offensive lineman Dustyn Coughlin said senior lead- ership will be key until the younger players learn the ropes. “You see the older kids dancing and feeling good,” Walchli said. “We have worked for this moment. Now we need to see who will fi ll the spots — who will step up. We are here to help them.” The Bulldogs open the season Sept. 6 against Pasco at Edgar Brown Stadium. The volleyball team will open its season Sept. 7, hosting Walla Walla. The boys and girls cross-country teams also began practice Monday, as did the girls soccer team. The girls swim team was in the pool Tuesday. The girls soccer team begins MCC action Sept. 7 against Kamiakin at Lamp- son Stadium in Kennewick. The cross-country teams will have their fi rst meet Sept. 7, hosting the Runner Soul XC Fest. The swimmers will be in the pool in Richland on Sept. 6 for a twilight meet. Complete schedules for all teams can be found at www.mid-columbiaconfer- ence.com. NEW 2019 NEW 2019 TUNDRAS! HIGHLANDERS! $ 7 000 , New 2019 Toyota Tundra models in stock with up to $4000 rebates available from TFS plus $3000 Rogers discount. Stock #19H693. MSRP $53,175, sale price $50,175. On approved credit. Plus tax, title and $75 doc fee. See dealer for details. Expires 9/3/19. 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