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ORDER GAME PHOTOS
With the baseball season beginning to thaw out from its deep winter freeze, it's time to start focusing on the outstanding individuals who make this sport so enjoyable.
With that, we've launched a new feature this spring: Heavy Hitters. Every Monday, we'll recap the nine most scintillating hitting performances from the past week of competition.
Why nine? Because there's nine batters in the lineup.
I should note that these are single-game performances only. I don't have the math skills to pull off calculating weekly totals.
If you'd like to nominate an athlete for our Heavy Hitters list, send an email to brandon@idahosports.com.
With that said, here's our debut list of Idaho baseball's Heavy Hitters, from the week of March 27th to April 1st. The performances will be listed in chronological order.
CORRECTION: In the first version of this post, I incorrectly said that Rugar Nicholls attended Challis High School. Rugar actually represents the good folks in Mackay. And I short-changed him by a home run. He actually had two!
1. Caden Campa, Sr, Columbia
The Wildcats traveled to Anaheim, California last week to compete in the Anaheim Lions Spring Break Tournament. The trip was a success, with the 'Cats finishing a perfect 4-0, with three lopsided wins over California schools. On Monday, March 27th, Columbia dismantled Anaheim High 17-2. Caden Campa went 4-for-5 in the win, with a double, a triple and six RBIs. Campa also reached base on an error, and came around to score all five times he reached base.
2. Laken Wilson, So, Vision Charter
Vision Charter and Rimrock met on Tuesday, March 28th, for a Western Idaho Conference battle. The Eagles survived the Raiders in an offensive affair, 25-22. Laken Wilson set the tone for Vision Charter in the victory. In six plate appearances, Wilson went 2-for-3, with a home run, a double, three walks, three RBIs, three runs scored and two stolen bases.
3. Zairic Salazar, Jr, Minico
The Spartans dealt league rival Burley a 17-0 shutout loss on Tuesday, March 28th, and Salazar's efforts contributed to the win. The junior went 2-for-4 at the plate. Both of his hits were doubles, and he drove in five runs while scoring a run as well.
4. Gage Haws, So, Owyhee
The sophomore catcher helped lead the Storm to a 12-7 win over Kuna on Tuesday, March 28th. Among the highlights of his 3-for-3 night at the plate: a home run, four RBIs, two runs scored and two walks.
5. Carson Russell, Jr, Cole Valley Christian
Russell legs and speed proved to be crucial in a narrow 4-3 win over Clearwater Valley in a non-conference game on Thursday, March 29th. Russell went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases and two runs scored. He also finished with an RBI, making Russell directly responsible for three of Cole Valley Christian's four total runs.
6. Austin DeBoer, Jr, Post Falls
Post Falls swept an Inland Empire League doubleheader with Sandpoint on Thursday, March 29th, and DeBoer was a big reason why. In the first win, a 7-0 shutout victory, DeBoer crushed a first inning grand slam, driving in four runs and accounting for more than 50% of the Trojans' offense.
7. Jamison Ray, Sr, Bishop Kelly
After dropping a close 10-8 contest to Emmett in Southern Idaho Conference play earlier in the week, the Knights rebounded on Friday, March 31st with a 12-4 win over Vallivue. Jamison Ray was a perfect 3-for-3 in the win. He finished with a double, a run scored, two RBIs, reached base after being hit by a pitch, and stole a base.
8. Dean Herkenrath, Jr, Bishop Kelly
The Knights continued to take out their frustrations on Saturday, April 1st, blitzing Vale (Oregon) 30-0. Pretty much everyone on Bishop Kelly's roster contributed in the win, but Herkenrath in particular had a great day. The junior went 3-for5 with six RBIs, three runs scored and a walk.
9. Rugar Nicholls, Jr, Challis-Mackay
The RiverCats haven't been able to play much this year due to bad weather, but on Saturday, they hosted Sugar-Salem's JV squad for a doubleheader, winning both contests. In the first game, a 10-4 win, Nicholls was a perfect 4-for-4 at the dish. Nicholls, a Mackay High student, finished with two home runs, a double, five RBIs, and four runs scored.
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