By Brandon Johnson (WSU Athletic Communication)

Ryan Orr committed to WSU during his sophomore season at Tumwater High School and has seen his game grow tremendously over the last few years. The 6-0, 208-pound righthander out of Tumwater, Wash. put together a senior season for the ages last year,
 
With 93 strikeouts and a downright ridiculous ERA of 0.86, he helped lead his team to the state playoffs. A 17-strikeout performance by Orr helped put THS adcance to the championship game where he again delivered with the game winning hit, leading his team to the state championship.
 
It was a storybook season for Orr that should have Coug fans plenty excited about his potential over the next few years.  We were able to sit down with Ryan to discuss his senior season, how freshman year has been so far, expeditions for the team, and much more. Here is what Ryan had to say…
 
How has your first year been, adjusting to the college lifestyle?
It's definitely been an adjustment, but it's been great. I'm obviously a lot more busy, spending time in classes and then plenty of time in the weight room and on the field. All of my teammates have helped make the adjustment that much easier, the upperclassmen are cool too, so it's been good.
 
What other sports did you play in high school? How did baseball end up being the one you chose?
I played baseball and football all four years, and basketball my freshman year. I've played baseball since I was very young, always the sport I gravitated towards the most, so I always knew baseball would be the chosen sport if I wanted to continue to pursue a career.
 
This last year was a huge one for yourself. Being named to All-State, named the Evergreen league MVP, had a sub-1.00 ERA, along with having the Game Winning Hit in the championship game. Knowing it was your last year, what was the approach for you as you came into the season?
The main thing for me was winning. Our school had never won a state title before and that was definitely on every player's mind throughout the season. We had the group to do it, the team just needed to come together, and that's exactly what happened. It was a great feeling to finally get that long-awaited championship.
 
After winning the title, you then went on to play summer ball. How was the experience different from what you are normally accustomed to?
It was very different. Days were very long, playing almost every day. There was a lot of traveling involved, even went to Canada which was cool, and played in a lot of different stadiums. The experience was different, but also very good.
 
Talk to me about how the college process was for you. How many schools did you end up talking to?
I talked to about 5–6 different schools. The majority were from the Pac-12 including WSU, UW, Oregon, while also talking to Sacramento State and San Diego State. I committed to WSU right before my sophomore year, right when the new coaching staff and facilities were coming in and have held firm to that commitment ever since.
 
With it being your first year, what has been role so far?
I have been able to come in and eat some innings out of the bullpen. It's been good the first two months, I'm going to keep working and stay ready for whatever is asked of me.
 
Are there any players, past or present, that you look up to? Try to emulate your game after?
Sonny Gray is the first name that comes to mind. We're a similar size/build and have a similar pitching repertoire, so that's definitely somebody I look up to.
 
 
Thanks for talking with us Ryan, Go Cougs!