CORVALLIS – They were third graders when Kyle Nobach and Jake Luton fast became friends. They grew up in Marysville, Wash. – about 35 miles north of Seattle -- and often hung out at Cedar Field playing baseball.
Luton was the only 9-year-old to play on the town’s 10-year-old all-star Little League team.
“It didn’t take long to see his greatness,” said Nobach, who recently completed a standout baseball career at Oregon State. “Million-dollar arm.”
Luton had chances to play baseball beyond Marysville-Pilchuck High School, but chose football, a sport that took him on a path he never dreamed.