M-P pitcher Haughian commits to play at UW

Nicholas Haughian’s future became his own version of the Apple Cup.

Haughian, a standout senior pitcher for the Marysville-Pilchuck High School baseball team, was heavily recruited by West Point and Oregon State, but eventually narrowed his college choice to two in-state rivals: Washington and Washington State.

In the end, Washington prevailed.

Haughian, a 5-11, 175-pound left-handed pitcher, announced this week he has verbally committed to play baseball for the Huskies next season. He said a desire to stay close to his family and Washington’s consistent record of success were the keys to his decision. The UW advanced to the NCAA regionals last year and was ranked in several national polls before finishing 39-20-1.

“Their program is a pretty elite program,” he said. “It’s always in the upper echelon.”

Haughian opened eyes last spring as a junior when he went 7-0 with a 2.12 earned-run average. He struck out 61 batters in 461/3 innings. Opponents hit just .189 against him. Haughian was a big reason the Tomahawks finished 20-5 and won their first league and district titles in 19 years.

“Last year I really kind of broke out,” he said. “I’ve finally come into myself. After I had shown what I could do, (college coaches) saw I had the ability.”

In two seasons of varsity baseball, Haughian is 10-1.

“He’s just a very good competitor,” M-P coach Josh Rosenbach said. “He throws strikes and he challenges hitters. His ability to compete at a little bit higher level is what makes him so good.

“He was my number one pitcher last year. Nick stepped up … and I expect him to come in ready to go in March.”

After traveling with elite baseball teams all summer, Haughian is now competing as one of the top singles players on the M-P boys tennis team. He didn’t have much time to transition from glove to racket.

“The first day of tryouts was the first time I’d picked up a racket (all summer),” he said. “Tennis is fun, but baseball is my main sport.”