Eight Outlaws named to all-league baseball teams

Several Outlaws baseball players earned all-state honors this season.

Seniors Jordan Hodges and Erik Carlson were both first-team picks, Hodges at infield and Carlson at outfield. Jordan and Erik will have the privilege to play on the South team in the all-state senior game in Roseburg on June 18-19, and will be coached by Sisters' Coach Steve Hodges and Dan Blankenship of Baker.

Third-team all-state honors went to Shane Groth (pitcher) and Joey Morgan (catcher), and Justin Erlandson was honorable mention outfield.

Outstanding performances on the field resulted in eight Outlaws baseball players earning all-league honors.

Four players were named first-team all-league, including seniors Erik Carlson and Jordan Hodges.

Carlson was named first-team all-league outfield. Erik hit 12 doubles and two homeruns for the Outlaws and has a .430 batting average. Carlson also recorded 37 RBI during league.

"Erik usually gets up to bat in crucial situations and he has the ability to drive in runs," said Coach Steve Hodges. "Erik plays at right field for us, which is the hardest position to play because of the wind. He has a strong arm and has thrown out guys who were trying to steal."

Hodges plays shortstop for the Outlaws and earned first-team all-league infield. Jordan has good speed and range and covers a lot of ground at shortstop, which really helped on defense.

Jordan also did a good job on the mound for Sisters. In 29 innings pitched, he only had one earned run. Hodges struck out 40 batters and only walked six. Hodges also leads the team in hitting, with a .493 batting average, and scored 43 runs for the Outlaws. He's recorded 13 doubles and one home run so far this year. Added to those stats, Hodges still has not been caught when stealing a base. He's 21/21 stealing bases, which broke the school record of 16/16.

Junior Shane Groth, sophomore Justin Erlandson, and freshman Joey Morgan were also first-team picks.

Groth was named first-team all-league pitcher. Shane went 5-1 for Sisters with a 2.1 ERA and recorded 57 strikeouts during league.

Hodges said, "Shane has good command and velocity. He puts us in a position to win games by shutting down the opponent's hitting attack."

Erlandson, a first-year starter for the Outlaws, was named first-team outfield and did a tremendous job for the Outlaws.

"I couldn't have asked for more from a sophomore," said Hodges. "He has a lot of range for an outfielder and did a great job on both defense and offense."

Erlandson hit .405 and had seven doubles and a triple during league. He scored 38 runs for the Outlaws and also had a great year with 15 stolen bases.

"Justin is a great lead-off hitter and makes things happen when he gets on base," added Hodges. "He bunts well and uses his speed to get on base."

Morgan rounds out the first-team selections, at catcher. Joey batted .344 on the year with three doubles.

"Joey has just gotten better and better," said Hodges. "He's more relaxed at the plate and swings the bat well. He did an incredible job as catcher working with our pitchers. He's thrown out a lot of runners and shut down the opponent's running game because of his arm."

Second-team selections were seniors Marcus Arends in outfield and Jon Lahey at pitcher.

Arends was a first-year varsity starter and Coach Hodges was very pleased with his performance.

"Wow! He's done such a great job," stated Hodges. "Marcus made some diving catches for us, and he made some difficult catches in key situations that changed the momentum of the game."

Arends batted .309 with two triples, and his speed made him a base-stealing threat.

Lahey was the Outlaws' closer all season long, and Hodges told The Nugget he was a very important piece to the Outlaws success.

"Jon was able to close out games by throwing strikes," said Hodges, and when Jordan (Hodges) pitched, Jon stepped in at shortstop. He was reliable and did a great job in both areas, which are key roles. He's a good fielder with a strong arm and has been very consistent at both shortstop and as our closer."

Aaron Selig earned honorable mention for first base. Selig batted .360 with a home run and four doubles.

"Aaron has improved in his fielding skills, and he had some key at bats that drove in runs. He's shown marked improvement from the beginning of the season."

The league recognized Jordan Hodges' outstanding play at shortstop, at the plate, and on the mound. As a result, Hodges was awarded top honors as Player of the Year.

"Jordan contributed as a pitcher, was our leading hitter and led the team in stolen bases," said Coach Hodges. "The league honored him for that. More important to me, he's shown good leadership which is something every team needs in order to reach their team goals."

To top it off, Coach Hodges was named Coach of the Year.

"To be recognized by other coaches is always nice," said Hodges. "It's like a little pat on the back and shows that your players have responded to what you've been trying to teach. The real reward is seeing my players grow as young men and be successful."