For 17 years, NU baseball skipper Neil McPhee has been watching his athletes head to play in the college baseball summer standby Cape Cod Baseball League. For both him and them, it’s an institution of the season.
Northeastern’s Devin Monds, Jordan Thomson, Justin Hedrick, Chris Emanuele and Tim Bush are members of the 2003 league.
“Growing up and in high school, I always dreamed of playing in the Cape,” Hedrick said. “I don’t want to say it’s something special, but it’s definitely something I’ve worked very hard to be able to compete in.”
Compete he did. Hedrick’s seven two-hit innings on Tuesday night ended his season with the league lead in strikeouts (68) and among the leaders in earned run average (1.96) in nine games while posting a 3-2 record for the Harwich Mariners. Hedrick also tossed a perfect inning at the Cape League All-Star game, fanning one of the batters he faced.
“I have been having a lot of fun,” Hedrick said. “Me and my coaches knew I would have a pretty good year. It’s been exciting. Being here shows that we (Northeastern) can play with anyone in the nation. It gives me confidence; I know I can pitch against anyone in college baseball now.”
McPhee also feels the league gives players a boost of confidence. Last collegiate season, McPhee’s green squad advanced to the College World Series tournament, but fell to second-seeded Louisiana State University 11-8 in the opening game before being knocked out by UNC-Wilmington 12-6.
“It’s a confidence booster for any of our players that go down there,” McPhee said. “It’s one of the highest levels of collegiate baseball. It lets someone like Justin know how he can compete. The next goal for us is to win back to back America East championships (they won last year). We won’t be so intimidated.
Along with Hedrick’s success has come attention from major league baseball scouts. The upcoming senior, who hasn’t yet been drafted, is free to sign and join a major league team.
“The attention I’ve gotten from scouts is amazing,” Hedrick said. “All the hype around the Cape helps me out tremendously. A few scouts approached me and asked if I would sign with them, but personally, I’d rather return to NU and win another America East championship. ”
The scouting of the Cape League is something that makes McPhee’s summer’s a little less carefree. Former Husky great Carlos Pena, currently the starting first baseman of the Detroit Tigers, put on such a show during his Cape stay that the Texas Rangers made him a first round draft choice in 1998.
“For us, the scary part is he’s signable,” he said. “He’s getting some interest and could sign before he ever gets back to Northeastern. The league has a lot of value to his potential professional career. It usually doesn’t happen, but with him having the year he’s had, I’m holding my breath a little.”
