All-time hits leader hopes to lead North Fayette back to state tourney

The Pete Rose of Iowa high school baseball had no clue he was going to be Pete Rose. And we mean the on-field Pete Rose.

Jake Greco was never told by his coach at North Fayette, Dan Hovden, that he was even close to approaching Iowa's all-time hits lead. The senior outfielder didn't figure it out until he singled in the second game of a double-header against Sumner-Fredericksburg last week, action was stopped and the ball taken out of play.

"I didn't want him to change his game," Hovden explained.

It's a considerable game, as you'd expect. Greco has been a starter since eighth grade for the Hawks, who begin Class 2A postseason play Saturday night at home against Sumner-Fredericksburg.

His very first varsity hit was a home run. Talk about your harbingers of things to come.

Greco passed former Lansing Kee prep Andy Beck with his 276th career hit last week and has added nine more since.

"There have been a lot of great players that have gone through the state of Iowa," Greco said. "I think this is a great accomplishment."

He said he understood why Hovden never told him he was zeroing in on a milestone.

"I liked that he kept it to himself," Greco said. "That way there was no pressure on me at all. I probably would have tried too hard if I had known."

"He's just got a real good sense of the strike zone," Hovden said. "He doesn't often get himself out. He'll take a walk. He's 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds. He's got quick hands and quick legs."

Greco finished the regular season with a .450 batting average, 10 home runs, 44 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. His 45 career home runs rank 11th all-time in the state.

Greco has played all over the field for North Fayette, which made it to the state tournament last season. Upper Iowa University, where he has signed, sees him as an outfielder.

"I've played every single position," Greco said. "But I like playing center field the best. That gives me a chance to use my speed to run down balls in the outfield."

Class 1A and 2A schools open district play Saturday night. Class 3A and 4A clubs begin substate play next week.

.450, 10, 44, 33 SBs45 c

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