Seniors representing high school baseball teams from all over Clark County got together for an all-star doubleheader Tuesday night in Ridgefield. Photo by Paul Valencia

MVPs announced, plus coaches voted for all-state representatives

RIDGEFIELD — Nikki Scott of Heritage and Colin Schiller of Prairie were named the MVPs of the Clark County Senior All-Star Baseball Games on Tuesday.

After the doubleheader, Sam Boyle of Columbia River, Tyler Howard of Skyview, and Reece Walling of Prairie were voted by area coaches as the top three players from the county who will represent the region at the all-state series June 25-26.

Look for more to join those three in Yakima, as well. The voting process allows for Clark County to select 10 nominees for the all-state series. The top three are guaranteed spots at the all-state event, while the other seven could be selected.

The other seven, listed in alphabetical order: Adam Deeney of Columbia River; Braeden Getch of Battle Ground; Drew Hancock of Camas; Kyle Memarian of Skyview; Scott from Heritage; Schiller from Prairie; and Casey Struckmeier of Columbia River.

Tuesday’s doubleheader, held at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, showcases seniors from baseball teams throughout Clark County, all wearing their school uniforms.

For Scott, it was a memorable end to his high school career in Clark County, a career that took a long time to get started.

Nikki Scott of Heritage was one of two MVPs from Tuesday’s doubleheader. Scott only got to play one year of high school baseball after injuries and the pandemic. Colin Schiller of Prairie also was named an MVP. Photo by Paul Valencia

An injury in football led to him missing his freshman baseball season at Heritage. There was no baseball season his sophomore year as the pandemic hit. He again got injured in the abbreviated football season and missed last year’s short baseball campaign.

This year, he got to shine for the Timberwolves on the baseball diamond — his No. 1 sport.

“All I’ve been through, and all the hard work I’ve put in, it just made everything worth it,” Scott said.

He is grateful for being healthy, and it was special being named one of the two MVPs of the all-star games. He had five strikeouts in his three innings on the mound. That included striking out three in a row with a runner on third base.

Scott plans to play for St. Martin’s University in Lacey next academic year. He wants to major in computer science.

While it was frustrating to go through all of his injuries, he always knew things would work out if he continued to work hard.

“I just tried to look at the bigger picture, try not to be in the moment so much,” Scott said. “Think about how the hard work will pay off at the end.”