What’s better than 1? The answer is a simple 2—and for an up and coming GHS pitcher making a name for himself in 4A NM baseball, Niko Young, for a second year in a row was named the district 5 4A pitcher of the year.
“It feels good,” said Young “My personal goal this season was to repeat as pitcher of the year—so it feels good to get back to back POY awards.” Young says he worked all off season to make sure he was better than last year– ”nothing less.”
Young, a junior, who wears the number 13 on his jersey, said, “It’s always a great and a relieving experience when I step on the field.”
Young who pitched against the Bernalillo Spartans in the second game of the 4A state baseball tournament earlier this year said, “I went into that game super confident— we have been there before—and I just looked at it as a regular game.”
Young went on to state that he “felt he was in control” the whole game—“I had the guys hitting the ball straight to my fielders because of my location of my pitches.”
Young who puts many hours on and off season with pitching coach Duane Taylor and as well as other coaching staff, has come to his own as a pitcher and his success on the mound “pushes” him “to work harder.”
“I play for my team and try to put us in the best position to win,” said Young.
GHS head baseball coach had much praise for Young stating, “He expects perfection from himself and is a great teammate to others and doesn’t get upset with them when there is an error behind him,” said Furbee. “Niko is also pretty laid back and easy going.”
When asked how he handles pressure on the mound, Young stated, “I just take a deep breath and clear my head and reset— I sing one of my favorite songs in my head and go after the next batter.” Young also has much praise for his mother who gives “great advice” when facing challenges.
Young looks up to San Francisco Giants closing pitcher Camilo Doval, “I use his pitching stance and try to whip my arm like he does–I like shag and attitude on the mound,” said Young.
On the agenda for the future Young is making it a “main goal” repeat as state champions. “So this off season I’m gonna make sure to push the young guys to come to the weight room and work all off season so they can come out and fill the holes the seniors left,” said Young.
Young advises up and coming players that they should “work” and “always practice” to be successful. “There is always room to get better and there's an opportunity to practice,” said Young. “This game is mental— and working your butt off will ultimately help the game be a little easier.”
Off the mound Young enjoys golf with teammates, “It’s (golf) a fun thing to do and it's really calming and chill.”
While he may “chill” with his teammates on the golf course you can surely expect Young to be putting in the hours at practice this summer settling for—”nothing less.”
Young’s stats for this last season include an impressive ERA of 2.30, 8 wins with 2 losses, 57.2 innings pitched, 70 strikeouts and 24 walk