Above: Just a sophomore, Andrew Miller has developed into the CCHS Vikings top pitcher. Miller was selected to the Polar League All-Conference team for his fine performances on the mound this season. Right: Colton Furlong wielded a red-hot bat for the Vikings and was a thief on the base paths. Furlong was named to the All- Section team for his fine play this season.
Area baseball coaches voted to name Cook County High School sophomore Andrew Miller to the Polar League All- Conference baseball team for 2017.
Miller was a slick outfielder with a good glove and great arm, but he earned the honor for his pitching. As the ace of the Vikings’ young staff, Miller was outstanding on the mound.
For the season Miller’s record was three wins and four losses with an exceptional earned run average (ERA) of 2.1 runs per game.
Andrew struck out 52 and walked 12. His best statistical performance was his no-hit shutout vs. Carlton near the end of the season, said head coach Arleigh Jorgenson. “But, he was our ace all season, matched up often with our toughest opponents,” added the coach.
Miller was more than just a pitcher and a good fielder. As a hitter, he batted in the number three position and hit for an average of .368. He finished the season with an on-base percentage of .579. Miller took six walks and, maybe even more significantly, he was a tough out at the plate, striking out only twice. When Miller was on base, which was often, he was a threat to steal bases. For the season he stole nine bases, scored nine runs, and drove in 10 runs.
As a Polar League All-Star, Andrew will play in the third annual Polar League All- Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, at Wade Stadium in Duluth, beginning at 1 p.m.
Furlong named All-Section
Miller wasn’t the only outstanding player for the Vikings this past season. Colton Furlong, a junior, also had a great year, coming on strong over the last half dozen games for the team.
“Our lead-off hitter, Colton Furlong, was named as an All-Section player along with Andrew,” said Coach Jorgenson. “Colton ended the season on a tear, and finished with a .439 batting average and a .683 on-base percentage.”
Furlong was the Vikings’ most dangerous runner on the base paths as well. He terrorized opposing pitchers and defenses with his speed and aggressive running when he reached first base. For the year Colton stole 16 bases, took 10 walks and only struck out five times while scoring 13 runs for the team.
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