UW LHP Haughian signs with Orioles

Published 2:00 pm Saturday, June 14, 2008

Nick Haughian, a University of Washington junior and Marysville-Pilchuck graduate, signed with Baltimore Friday, ending his UW career with one year of eligibility remaining.

Haughian, a left-handed pitcher, was picked in the ninth round (266th overall) of last weekend’s draft. He was 6-5 with a 3.76 ERA, and struck out 107 batters in 95.2 innings.

He will report next week to Aberdeen, Maryland, where he will pitch for Baltimore’s short-season Class A team, the Ironbirds.

“It’s obviously something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” he said. “It really came down to, do I want to take my chances next year or get started down this road now?

“I had a lot of fun at the UW, but it was the right time. It was tough only because I had so much fun there. I think the team next year is going to be pretty darn good. My teammates and coaches are such good guys, but I kind of felt once I had the final offer in front of me, it just seemed like the right decision.”