Thurston's Hunter has eye on next level.

Byline: Adam Jude The Register-Guard

When describing the first recruiting class for the University of Oregon's reborn baseball program, UO assistant coach Andrew Checketts recalled fondly his first impression of Thurston senior Darrell Hunter.

Playing for an all-star area code team, Hunter belted a long home run - with a wood bat, no less - at historic Blair Field during a tournament last summer in Long Beach, Calif.

Checketts was impressed.

"That's a notorious pitchers' park, and he hit one out with a wood bat. That stands out," said Checketts, Oregon's recruiting coordinator. "There were only two or three people who did that (at the tournament), and they're some of top (recruits) in country."

Hunter etched his name among that elite group when he officially signed with the Ducks during the fall early-signing period last month. A 6-foot-2, 170-pound shortstop and right-handed pitcher, Hunter was one of 17 players to sign on for Oregon's first recruiting class in 27 years.

Oregon cut the baseball program for financial reasons in 1981.

After being recruited by Oregon State and UCLA, among others, Hunter was the first to commit to Oregon in October.

"Since I was a kid, this is what I've wanted to do," Hunter said. "When you commit, it's a big deal. When you sign, it's even bigger. It's pretty exciting."

Hunter said a major part of his decision to sign with Oregon was the success of head coach George Horton, who led Cal State-Fullerton to the College World Series title in 2004.

As part of his recruiting process, Hunter first met with Checketts and assistant coach Jason Gill, who escorted him during his official campus visit. About a week later, he met Horton and committed that same day.

"I felt like he was the deciding factor," Hunter said. "I was interested in Fullerton, and he's one of my favorite coaches. When he came to Oregon, it was perfect for me."

Hunter hopes a return to Thurston results in a perfect end to his prep career.

After attending Thurston for his first two years of high school, Hunter transferred to Churchill as a junior, helping the Lancers advance to the Class 5A state championship game last spring.

"Churchill was a good move for me. I got a lot of exposure," he said. "(But) it was good move to back. I get to graduate with all my friends. I want to finish what I started."

Thurston Athletic Director Mike Michel was the school's baseball coach during Hunter's first season with the Colts, and Michel brought Hunter up from junior varsity to play shortstop as a freshman.

"He was good enough to be on the team and I thought he could help us," Michel said. "He ended up being one of our better hitters."

Hunter's return to Thurston coincides with the arrival of new baseball coach Phil Dube, who spent the past nine seasons at Marist.

Hunter has spent much of his time in the offseason in the school's new batting cages, working with Thurston graduate Johnny Bowden and Marist graduate Mike McCormick, both former prep standouts who are now playing in the minor leagues.

"It's great help working with two guys in the minors," Hunter said. "Right now, I'm lifting weights and trying to get stronger. I'm working with those guys in the batting cage on fundamentals and trying to get my swing down before the season."

Soon enough, Hunter hopes to be in the same position as Bowden and McCormick, fulfilling a dream to play professionally.

A standout senior season might hasten that development and put Hunter on the radar for the major league draft next June.

"It would be great to get some pro offers out of high school," he said. "But right now, I'm a Duck."