By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

STAYTON, Ore.–  Regis’ Bryson Nygren has been on a tear this season.  Three no-hitters and a handful of one-hitters, the Ram junior has lived up to the term ‘Ace of a staff’.

In 49.2 innings pitched, Nygren has struck out 115 batters and has an ERA , earned run average, of 029.  Only Blanchet’s Drew Bartels (0.00 ERA in 23 innings) and Kruz Schoolcraft (0.24 ERA in 58.1 Innings pitched) of 6A’s Sunset have lower ERA’s.

Drawing from his experience with the American Legion Canyon Crushers this past Summer and learning from teammates like Kennedy-grad Ethan Kleinschmit, Nygren’s off-season has really paid off.  Contributing to Regis’ 21-4 overall record and 18-0 record in 2A/1A Special District 3 league play, earning the fourth-seed in the 2A/1A playoffs.

“I’ve been feeling good on the mound, throwing hard.  I felt like Summer helped out a lot playing AAA Legion competition and playing with all the guys like Ethan and them,” starts Nygren.  “Surrounding myself with people who are better than me really shaped me to who I am now.”

With a first-round bye, awaiting for their first round opponent from the winner of Myrtle Point and Culver, these extra few days off will go a long way with the Rams eyeing a deep postseason push going into Late-May.

“It’s going to be big for us, we get a week break from our last game.  We’ll get our arms rested and our whole bodies ready for the next game,” Nygren said.

“This week is going to be major for us, just trying to keep our head into the game.  We’ve been here before, we know what we have to do and now it’s a matter of executing or not,” adds Noah Koenig.

The Regis catcher has set the 2A State Record for most steals in a single-season at 49.  Currently the senior is sitting fourth all-time, two away from third-place and 16 from tying the All-Time State Record for most bases stolen in a single-season.

“It’s pretty awesome, it’s been a goal of mine since I was a freshman.  But without guys putting the ball in play and doing what they do in the batter’s box, I wouldn’t be able to break that record,” Koenig said.  “It’s pretty cool that I got a team that supports me.”

On top of that Koenig, after getting done with practice Friday afternoon made his way down to Eugene to run in the State 4×400-meter relay Friday night.  Regis finished eighth in the race.

“I like doing everything.  I’m just glad all the coaches and staff are supportive of us athletes at Regis in doing everything at once, that’s pretty awesome,” Koenig said.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald