Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Terek Shipp can do it all for the Havre Northstars

This season, many players have contributed to the Havre Northstars American Legion baseball club. One of those players is Terek Shipp, who has made an impact both at the plate and on the mound this summer. As he has helped the Northstars compete this season, Shipp believes he and his teammates have matured throughout the course of the summer.

"I think just as a team, we've grown a lot," Shipp said. "I think a lot of these boys have matured, including myself, and I just think the maturity has been big this year."

Unlike most athletes, Shipp did not come from a baseball family. His grandfather signed him up for T-ball when he was younger, but Shipp initially did not want to play. Eventually, he fell in love with the game and it has been a huge part of his life ever since.

"Baseball means lots of things to me," Shipp said. "It's probably the biggest part of my life right now. It's kind of what I live and breathe right now so it's big for me."

While he did not come from a baseball family, Shipp had many coaches teach him about the game throughout the years. In his Northstar career, Shipp has learned from head coach Patch Wirtzberger and assistant coaches Shane Reno and Jake Eldridge. Shipp credits Eldridge for coaching him from the age of 10 and helping him become the player he is today.

Their coaching has helped Shipp develop into a player who plays an important role on both offense and defense for the Northstars. At the plate this season, Shipp is third on the team with a .345 batting average. He also has a .453 on-base percentage, 30 RBIs and 43 runs scored this summer.

But his biggest impact has probably come on the mound. He leads the team with 46.0 innings pitched this season where he has a 4-4 record, 44 strikeouts and a 2.739 ERA. While there might be more pressure pitching, Shipp enjoys playing on the mound more than at the plate.

"I enjoy pitching a lot more just because there's so much to it," Shipp said. "There's so many different things you can do and there's so much to pay attention to so it's really complicated and that's what I enjoy."

The Northstars have a record of 28-15-1 this season and have about a month left of the regular season left before the postseason. The Northstars will begin the postseason with the district and state tournaments at the end of the month. The Northstars will then host the Northwest Regional tournament at Legion Field at the beginning of August. As the season nears its end, Shipp hopes the Northstars can build off what they have accomplished this season.

"(I look forward to) just capitalizing on more growth and just getting better as a team," Shipp said. "Hopefully doing some great things this postseason."

After this season is over, Shipp will head into his senior year of high school. However, he is more excited for college and another season with the Northstars next summer. He hopes to play college baseball, but if he is not able to, he plans to go to MSU to study architecture.

Shipp and the Havre Northstars will continue the season with the Glendive Legion Tournament in Glendive this weekend. Before Shipp got back on the diamond, the Havre Daily News asked him five questions.

HDN: What is your favorite baseball memory?

Shipp: "Probably state in 12U when we were in Glasgow. I remember there was a walk off grand slam to advance us on in the state tournament so that was probably the biggest moment."

HDN: When you are on the mound pitching, how do you handle the pressure?

Shipp: "I just breathe through it and trust the process. I just do what I need to do and not really think too much about playing the game."

HDN: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Shipp: "Baseball, baseball, baseball. I'm always up at the dugout getting some work in, whether it be hitting or pitching."

HDN: Do you have a favorite baseball team or player?

Shipp: "My favorite baseball team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. I'll probably get a lot of hate for that. And my favorite player is Arizona outfielder Corbin Carroll."

HDN: How did you become a Diamondbacks fan?

Shipp: "That was the first game I went to and they played the Colorado Rockies. They beat the Rockies 14-4 and I just thought they were good and then I found out soon after that they weren't so hot."