BRIEFLY.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Hayes, Vitus headed to OSU

Sheldon seniors Brandon Hayes and Chris Vitus both have made verbal commitments to play baseball at Oregon State next year.

Hayes, a second-team all-Midwestern League selection as an outfielder last year, is a left-handed hitter who batted around .400 in each of the past two seasons. Hayes, whose uncle is former major league outfielder Von Hayes, committed to OSU last spring and will play outfield or first base for the Beavers.

"Hayes has some things a lot of kids aren't going to have," Sheldon coach Kenny Niles said. "He's 6-feet-3 and has huge hands and size 14 feet. He has a great frame, he runs very well and is strong."

Vitus committed to OSU on Monday.

He was the Sky-Em League player of the year and a second-team all-state selection as a junior last year at Marist. The 6-1 right-handed pitcher transferred to Sheldon for his senior year.

"Chris was throwing in the upper 80s at a prospect camp in Arizona last week, but the thing Oregon State liked the most is he threw the breaking ball with more command," Niles said.

Niles said that committing to OSU could also increase the chances for Hayes and Vitus to be taken in the June major-league draft.

"I think those two have increased their draft status by verballing to OSU, because a scout who doesn't get out to watch a lot of baseball around here will instead have his eyes opened to see these two committed to OSU," Niles said. "Scouts sit back and say if this kid has already signed on at OSU, maybe he can play a bit."

Pratt to coach Challengers

Western Oregon University assistant baseball coach Nate Pratt has been named head coach of the Eugene Bi-Mart Challengers for the 2007 American Legion baseball season.

Pratt said he was honored to replace North Eugene coach Corey Nicholsen and follow the footsteps of other successful coaches for the Challengers.

"As far as an organization, it's got a long tradition of good baseball and especially producing good coaches who moved on to bigger and better things like Donny Harrel, who is an assistant at Washington, and Marty Lees as an assistant at Oregon State," Pratt said. "This works well with my schedule. It gives me a chance to see a lot of high school kids from around the state. I can recruit and coach at the same time and especially get a chance to see those juniors who will be seniors next year."

Pratt, a Redmond High School graduate, was the Intermountain Conference player of the year in 1998 and a first-team all-state shortstop. He played at St. Martin's University and earned academic All-America honors.

Pratt started his coaching career at Lane Community College. He spent three seasons with the Titans, including 2004 when Lane won the NWAACC championship. He was hired at WOU last year, and the Wolves went 40-16 and won their sixth straight conference championship.

Pratt was the manager of the Bend Elks summer collegiate baseball team and was invited to pitch batting practice for the Eugene Emeralds before some games last summer by manager Doug Dascenzo.

Irish will honor Krause

Mel Krause, who was the athletic director and baseball coach at Sheldon from 1963-66, will be added to the Sheldon hall of honor on Friday night. The Irish will honor Krause, who later coached the University of Oregon baseball team, before the homecoming football game against Grants Pass that starts at 7 p.m.

An Italian dinner will be served in the Sheldon cafeteria beginning at 5 p.m. The cost is $5. Krause will be honored during a presentation on the football field at 6:45 p.m.

Wheeler nominated for award

Northern Arizona senior safety Jeff Wheeler is one of 148 semifinalists for the 2006 Draddy Trophy, which goes to a senior with a grade-point average of at least 3.00 who exhibits strong football ability, leadership and citizenship.

Wheeler, a graduate of Willamette High, is a three-time Golden Eagle Scholar Athlete recipient who is majoring in electrical engineering. He leads the team with 41 tackles, three interceptions and four deflections.

Churchill graduate Jordan Kent of Oregon is also a semifinalist for the award. Fifteen finalists will be announced on Thursday and the winner will be announced on Dec. 5.