Opponent: Vancouver Canadians
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Pitchers: Everett left-hander Harold Williams (0-0, 5.00 ERA) vs. Vancouver right-hander James Shull (3-2, 2.36).
Piper-Jordan returns
When Andre Piper-Jordan walked into Everett Memorial Stadium before Wednesday’s game, a huge smile spread across his face.
There’s nothing quite like being promoted just in time for a homecoming.
Piper-Jordan was promoted to Vancouver on Wednesday, arrriving just in time to suit up in the stadium he used to call home as a player for Everett Community College.
“It kind of feels like I’m back playing in college again,” Piper-Jordan said. “Playing here in my hometown, it feels good to be back in the home weather and everything else.
“It feels especially good playing right here in Everett,” Piper-Jordan added. “I’ve got my whole family, my son, and everybody coming up.”
Piper-Jordan flew into Seattle from Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Everett about two hours before the game’s start. He is the second former Everett CC player to return to Everett this season. Pitcher Zach Simons came to town as a member of the Tri-City Dust Devils.
The 21-year-old Piper-Jordan, a graduate of Federal Way High School, played both baseball and basketball at Everett CC during the 2003-04 season. Following the season, the 6-foot, 195-pound outfielder was taken by the Oakland Athletics in the 28th round of the 2004 draft.
Piper-Jordan signed with the A’s following the draft and spent last season in the Arizona Rookie League, batting .237 with one home run, 11 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 45 games. He returned to the Arizona Rookie League this season, batting .250 with one homer, 24 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 51 games before receiving the promotion to Vancouver.
“It’s been going good,” Piper-Jordan said of his season thus far. “It’s had its ups and downs, but more ups than downs. I’m seeing the ball a lot better than I was. I’m also more calm this year because I had a whole year under my belt, so I felt more relaxed.”
Piper-Jordan was not in the starting lineup Wednesday, but when he does take the field he should feel right at home with Everett Memorial Stadium’s quirky outfield wall – Everett CC also calls Everett Memorial Stadium home.
“I made this catch in center field where I was running straight back and I kind of caught it bent backwards with my head,” Piper-Jordan recalled. “That was my best memory right there.”
Piper-Jordan’s time with Vancouver will be short as there’s just seven games remaining in the regular season. But he wants to contribute however he can during that short period.
“I just want to try to help the team win,” Piper-Jordan said. “That’s all I can do, try to help the team win.”
Garage sale: The AquaSox’s annual garage sale has found a needy cause.
This year proceeds from the garage sale, which began Wednesday and continues today, are being donated to the Red Cross for the relief effort in Louisiana from Hurricane Katrina.
The team is also taking donations, both for the garage sale and the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
Nick Patterson, Herald writer
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