C.J. Edwards held a new position but looked right at home playing alongside big-school talent in the Northwest Feeder All-Star Baseball doubleheader June 4 in Anacortes.

Edwards, whose primary position is shortstop, moved to second base for the elite twinbill, which brought together top graduating seniors from 1B-3A high school baseball programs between Seattle and the Canadian border.

The La Conner High School standout, who this season led the team in on-base percentage (.614), runs scored (19), and stolen bases (29), was cheered on in Anacortes by Braves fans and his coaches, Andy Otis and Preston Stewart.

“C.J. played really well,” said Stewart, who helped prep Edwards for the second base assignment. “He adapted to second base quickly. He made a couple nice catches out there and nearly turned a double play. It went great for him.”

Edwards, who was on the Northwest Feeder American League roster, was inserted at second base for the final four innings of each game, both of which his team won.

Beyond the move to second base, he made necessary adjustments at the plate.

“There was a pitcher from Archbishop Murphy (in Everett) who threw 85 (mph), which is about 10 miles faster than what I’d seen before,” Edwards said.

Still, Edwards was able to make contact against the hard-throwing hurler. He pulled the ball to third base for a well-hit groundout. 

He hit the ball even harder on another at-bat, ripping a shot up the middle. But the pitcher he faced that time was able to snare the drive.

Edwards reached base once in four trips to the plate, legging out a fielder’s choice. He put the ball in play all four times.

Edwards was grateful for the opportunity to take part in the regional all-star format and meet his peers from other schools. Kern Funeral Home sponsored Edwards at the Feeder Games. 

“It was great to talk with everybody,” he said. “Everybody was really chill.”

His dad, former Braves Head Football Coach Charlie Edwards, now the director of the Swinomish Boys and Girls Club, said the Feeder Games experience was invaluable. 

“C.J. got to play with some of the best baseball players from all around the area,” Charlie said. “We got to talk to the Mount Vernon coach, and I was able to talk to (Mount Vernon High infielder) Dylan Jacobs a bit also. His home run at the end of their (State 3A) championship game was amazing.”

The opportunity he had to compete on a big stage should serve as a springboard for C.J. Edwards’ goal of playing baseball at Skagit Valley College next year. He’s planning to pursue a degree in education with the aim of becoming a teacher and coach.

Edwards and his La Conner High classmate, Christian Fix, have already earned paraeducator certification through the Northwest Career & Technical Academy (NCTA) in Mount Vernon.

Just as the coursework at NCTA provided a head start for his teaching and coaching ambitions, playing in the Feeder Games gave Edwards a glimpse of what awaits him at the collegiate baseball level.

“I think he adjusted well,” Stewart said of Edwards. “He realized that he could play with those guys, and he went out and proved it.”

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Bill Reynolds: bill@laconnercommunitynews.org. Bill is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.