​Chadd Blasko was hired Tuesday to be the next varsity baseball coach at Northridge High School.Blasko replaces Chad Gerard who resigned in June.”This is an exciting opportunity for myself as a coach,” said Blasko in a press release. “I’ve enjoyed working with and leading young student-athletes throughout my years of teaching and coaching at the high school level.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”Baseball has been a huge part of my life, and coaching allows me to continue to stay connected with the sport, but at the same time help mentor student-athletes off and on the field.”Blasko was a standout pitcher at Mishawaka High School and one of the top pitchers in the state of Indiana.Coming out of high school, Blasko was drafted in the 47th round by Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He bypassed a professional career and elected to go to Purdue University. For the Boilermakers, he was a standout pitcher, as he finished his career with a 3.47 ERA and 156 strikeouts. Blasko earned first team All-Big Ten honors in 2002.The Chicago Cubs selected Blasko with the 36th overall pick (supplemental first round) in the 2002 MLB Draft.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs a professional, he led the Florida State League with a 1.98 ERA, while pitching for the Daytona Cubs. Blasko advanced as high as Double-A in the Cubs organization. Before injuries halted his pro career, Blasko posted over his minor league career a 15-13 record, a 3.59 ERA and totaled 232 strikeouts.After his playing career, Blasko returned to Purdue as an assistant baseball coach.From 2020-2024, Blasko served as the head coach for the Mishawaka girls basketball program. The Cavemen compiled a 42-51 record over those seasons.He has also been a varsity assistant for the baseball and boys basketball programs at Mishawaka.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”We are excited to add another quality coach, leader and person to Northridge athletics and Northridge High School,” said Northridge High School Athletic Director Ryan Bales in a press release.”Chadd not only has the background and knowledge in the sport of baseball, but he also knows how to lead a group of young student-athletes and manage a coaching staff as well. I am confident we are getting someone who will build strong relationships with not only our baseball players and staff, but with our school and community as well.”This past season Northridge finished 12-15 and fell to Concord, 3-2 in eight innings, in Class 4A sectional semifinal action.