Xander Morris RHP / OF / Portage Northern, MI / 2021

PORTAGE - Pitching in the first Midwest Select event in mid-April was quite a challenge for any high school player. Doing it as a freshman made the task at hand even more difficult.

But Xander Morris was not overwhelmed. The Portage Northern ninth-grader came through with a big-time performance in a 2-0 win over Roncalli, one of the top-rated 4A teams in the state of Indiana.

“That was a lot of fun,” said the 6-0 160-pounder, who combined with two teammates to throw a three-hitter at the prestigious event held at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. “I just went out and tried to do my best. My team was behind me and we got the win. It was one of the better times I’ve pitched. Most of my pitches were working.”

Morris knew that was necessary against strong opposition that included teams from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois in addition to Michigan.

“The competition was some of the best I’ve ever seen,” the fifth-ranked player in the state’s 2021 class said. “It just makes you go out there with a different mindset. Pitch your best, have fun and do your job.”