At least every other week during the spring season, we’ll talk some Oregon high school baseball. This is the place!
Can’t touch this
Last week, we told you that Teagan Scott, the South Salem sophomore catcher committed to Oregon State, went 4-4 with five steals in a win over Tigard.
He did not stop there.
Over three games that week, Scott went 8-8 with five runs, seven stolen bases, and three walks. Add one game the previous week, and through four games the sophomore had reached base safely in 14 of 15 plate appearances and was batting .901.
South Salem defeated North Salem, 17-0, yesterday afternoon. There’s no telling what Scott did to add to his remarkable start.
Eight is enough
The Dalles snapped an eight-year losing streak to rival Hood River Valley with a 4-1 win on Friday. Senior Cooper Klindt (2 IP) and junior Will Booth (5 IP, 10 Ks) combined for a no-hitter on the mound. Junior Cody Agidius paced the offense by going 2-3 with three RBIs.
News and notes
McMinnville is 1-1 so far in its Spring Break trip to Arizona. On Monday versus host Chandler, junior Bryce Wilson went 4-4 with two doubles, two RBI, three runs and a steal from the leadoff spot and Brayden Mix went five strong innings, striking out seven while only allowing one earned run in the Grizzlies’ 14-5 win.
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Regis started 1-4-1 but is on a two-game winning streak in Arizona at the Coach Bob.
On Monday, the Rams defeated Baker / Powder Valley, 7-3, behind a 15-strikeout performance from junior RHP Bryson Nygren. One day later, Regis prevailed, 8-6, in a back and forth affair against a very solid Denver Christian. Nygren and Luke Castillo each homered in the 5th inning to give Regis the lead.
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Want to know why Sunset is 6-0 to start the season? The Apollos are pitching to an ERA of 1.00 so far and have punched out 66 batters in 42 innings. Junior Kruz Schoolcraft has yet to allow an earned run through 16.1 innings, with 33 Ks. He has two home runs and is hitting .529 at the plate.
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Sophomore P.J. Safford went 5-7 with three RBIs last Thursday for Klamath Union / Crosspoint Christian, which was competitive in a double header loss to 5-1 Madras.
Caleb Shank went 4-7 with five RBIs for Madras.
More team outlooks
In this section, we look at more teams whose coaches completed pre-season outlook forms for us.
6A
Tualatin has started 4-1 this season. The Timberwolves have a rich tradition in baseball and made the playoffs last year despite being under .500 in the regular season. Two graduated from the 2023 squad, including an all-league CF, but the team brings back seven starting position players and three frontline pitchers. The TRL is loaded with top teams and Tualatin should be counted among them with the likes of C Isaac Pfeiffer, 2B Ervin Dorsett, SS Ethan Matsuoka and pitcher Nolan McCormack back.
After going 8-18 in 2023, Southridge is a bit of a surprise at 4-2. The Skyhawks graduated only one, a three-year starter at catcher; but return everyone else, including strong pitching in Zane Garvey, Jack Klee and Dom Eddins. Seniors Kaz Kalish (CF), Nathan Adair (3B) and Owen Otani (C) are others to watch for a team that could be a tough out in the playoffs if its bats can match what it puts out on the mound.
Grant is a perennial favorite in the PIL and, last year, won 20 games. The Generals will be young, but hungry, this year, according to Coach Matt Kabza, after graduating four significant starters. Seniors Reuben Elliston (OF), Patrick Lawes (DH) and John Kent (P), and junior catcher Brand McCarthy give the Generals, who are 1-1 to start 2024, a solid foundation going into the season.
Franklin started 8-3 last year then lost its final 13 games. The Lightning suffered off-season losses as well, with their staff and three of their top four hitters having graduated. It may then be a good sign that Franklin has been competitive in half its games in a 1-3 start. Silas Combs, a pitcher and third baseman, is the top returning player. Freshman Deni Gonzalez-Portillo should make a major impact as the team’s starting shortstop and No. 2 pitcher.
Don’t let Westview’s 2-3 start deceive you. The Wildcats will be contenders in the Metro after a down year in 2023. Matt Bailie’s team should be heavy on offense and defense behind senior 3B Cole Katayama-Stall, senior OF Ezra Vice, senior UTIL Cameron Frederick and senior INF Gunnar Pedersen, Pitching will be the question mark. Katayama-Stall will be one of Westview’s hurlers, along with Joel Hong and junior RHP Maxwell Stuart, a varsity newcomer.
Roosevelt had been shut out in two of its three games this season, but scored 23 runs in the other. The Roughriders were break-even a year ago and lost seven varsity starters, but this team makes up for inexperience with hunger and a desire to build on last year’s success. Four of the top returning players are juniors, including OF Landon Collar; and there is good young talent in the program. Roosevelt may not contend for a PIL title this year, but should be in the mix in 2025.
Oregon City struggled last year in the brutal TRL. The Pioneers put in the work in the off-season in the hopes that improved bats will produce more wins. They have started 2-3 and are already halfway to last year’s wins total. The team returns five senior starters, led by catcher Ryder Loftus, and is eager to test itself against the best in the conference (which also are the best in the state).
Liberty won six games a year ago and has yet to make the playoffs since moving to 6A in 2016. The Falcons graduated three, including most of their speed, off of last year’s team, but bring back four All-League players – senior CF Tanner Steinbach and senior C Ty Sheldon, junior SS Reid Linkmeyer and sophomore 2B Ben James – plus two seniors, OF Carter Zehr and 1B Dylan White, who missed last year due to injuries. This senior-heavy squad has started 1-2 but could push for the postseason if the standouts perform as expected.
Century is 2-3 to start 2024. The Jaguars graduated six seniors, but only one was a starter. Mason Wright’s team brings back its starting pitching and most of its position players, marking it as a contender in the Pacific Conference. Century will build around returning First Team All-League performers Levi Hazes and Eli Breault and second team infielder Sawyer Hewett. Seniors Cam Smith, Phil Smith and Sergio Osorio also figure to impact.
Lincoln is the defending PIL champion, but the Cardinals, who won 20 games a year ago, are 1-4 to start the season. They are averaging just three runs per game trying to compensate for the graduation loss of three top-of-the-order hitters. The returning arms are sound, with Alex Dexter and Garrett Schmokel as starters and Griffin Gibson and closer Eddie Meier finishing up. CJ Watson’s team also has six returning regulars, including OF Reece Fisher and the keystone combo of Isaac Margolis and Nolan Winthrop. This team has 10 seniors and big-time experience but is slowed early by injuries to a couple of key players heading into the season.
5A
Lebanon followed up an appearance in the 5A state championship game in 2022 with a 22-win season last year. The Warriors, who have started 2-4, must avoid injuries, but will compete well despite getting hit hard by graduation. Senior Bryant Starr, a SS/RHP who was Second Team All-State a year ago, is the top returning player.
Bend won a dozen games last year then graduated a dozen seniors. The Lava Bears, who have opened 2-4, may be disregarded in the IMC, but coach Quinn Clair expects his speedy team to make noise behind the keystone combination of senior 2B Seth Willy and junior SS Will Goodman. Pitchers Fischer barber and Cash Hattenhauer also return.
Third-year coach Mitch Bousquet is hopeful that his Churchill Lancers can go from nine wins in 2023 to a playoff spot this year. The team graduated an All-League starting pitcher and an All-League second baseman, but returns everyone else, including seniors Cole Ayres (1B) and Tyler Mikel (SS) and sophomore OF Blake Mikel. Sophomore Jace Litten, who will pitch, play outfield and bat in the middle of the order, is one of several promising newcomers hoping to be part of an upgraded offensive attack.
4A
Madras made the round of 16 in the 4A playoffs for the second straight year in 2023. After starting 4-1 this spring, the White Buffaloes could go at least that far again. Madras graduated four strong players, three of whom were core pitchers and all of whom were First Team All-League picks. But there is a tradition of excellence at Madras that endures and could take the team far, despite just three seniors on the roster. Two are All-League returnees Tyler Clarkson (1B) and Noah Vibbert (OF). Both also pitch.
Freshman Caleb Shenk is a newcomer to watch. He is a talented kid who will pitch and play second. Madras will defend, run the bases and make contact. Pitching will determine the team’s ultimate success level.
Philomath / Alsea has a tradition of winning league titles, having won six over the past 10 seasons or so, with two semifinal appearances during that stretch. The Warriors won 11 games last year and will be young in 2024, but there is upside. Look for pitching to be strong Mason Stearns, Caleb Babcock and Logan Matthews. All-League C/3B Grant Niemann also is back and freshman AJ Altishin has breakout potential at the dish. Philomath has just one win in five starts, but the team has played a tough schedule. This team should compete for a league title.
Sweet Home won just once last season and has struggled to an 0-5 start to 2024. The Huskies graduated six regulars and all of their starting pitching. Led by returnees Jon Holly and Kelso Ellis, Sweet Home is coachable and working hard to put some wins in its column this spring.
3A
Corbett won only five times last year, but is 2-1 to open 2024. The Cardinals return virtually their entire team, including All-League pitcher Mac Garrett and regulars Lincoln Merrill ©, Jeffery Johnson (1B) and Wyatt Moist (3B). Pitching will be a strength.
Sisters won 20 games in 2023 and has been working to regain the consistent success it achieved before leaner times starting about 2017. The Outlaws graduated 10 seniors and are using the pre-season to identify how to fill the holes. A 3-3 start is an encouraging sign.
Sutherlin was 7-6 with its senior All-League catcher in the lineup last year but struggled without him. He and seven other seniors are now gone for good and coach Bret Prock says the impact will be “immense.” This is a young team playing in one of the toughest 3A leagues. “Our hope is to build skill and experience this season and contend next season,” Prock says. Players to watch now include junior SS Tauj Flora, sophomore 3B Cameron King and sophomore 2B Jake Narkiewicz.
Creswell won just five times last spring, but has already won twice under first-year head coach Kevin Feist. Only one starting Bulldog graduated. The returning players are solid and will improve as the season progresses but needs to learn how to win. Senior LHP/1B Evan Jenkins and sophomore OF/LHP Matthew Jenkins are the key players to watch.
Elmira returns eight regulars, including All-League seniors Ethan Bennett, Trentyn Herbert and Brendan Davis. The Falcons should hit the ball well, augmented by freshman OF Tanner Christiance, who can play anywhere. Pitching depth will determine whether Elmira, which is 3-6 to start, can eclipse its six-win total from a year ago.
Taft is 2-4 to start 2024 in a year where the Tigers have state-title aspirations. The losses have come to Idaho schools and 4A North Bend, 2-1. Taft boasts two of the top 3A pitchers in the state in Zack Hankins and Ezra James and has a solid returning lineup as well, led by INF Armando Fajardo. The team has experience, depth and speed. “I believe we will be able to compete with anyone this year,” says coach Dustin Hankins.
Rainier will need to replace two good pitchers to match or exceed its seven wins from a year ago. The Columbians won their first game on Tuesday after an 0-5 start, but could get better as the season goes on with a senior-heavy lineup led by Hunter Gutenberger (C/P) and Peyton Setzer (P/INF).
2A/1A
Clatskanie qualified for the playoffs last year for the first time in five years and is off to a 3-0 start to 2024 despite missing several key players in the pre-season. The Tigers have been dominant so far with their entire staff and almost their entire position group back. Brendan Schroll and Ayden Boursaw head a returning staff that will be the strength of the team. Clatskanie pitchers have strike out stuff but, more importantly, limit walks. The hitting needs to come around for the Tigers to be considered among the elite 2A/1A teams. SS Ben Blackwood and OF Finn McDonald are among those looking to take the next step.
East Linn Christian Academy is 5-1 to start 2024 after having won all of three games last spring. The Eagles are a good, young team with depth to replace six graduated starters. Senior Blake King and Matthew Blount are key offensive players back for ELCA.
Toledo is 4-1 and might have been the team to end Kennedy’s streak last week before the two teams were rained out. The Boomers will certainly improve on its 7-12 record from a year ago with virtually the entire team back plus a strong freshman class with several who will start. Senior C Christian Retherford, junior P/3B Kolby Coxen and freshman P/1B Braden Marthaller are players to watch on a team filled with multi-sport athletes who have seen success in football and wrestling. The team has a strong pitching core and a solid player at every position.
Oakland is a baseball program on the rise. The Oakers have a pipeline of talented kids, including this year’s small, but talented, freshman class, that will soon make an impact on the diamond. Oakland graduated All-State performer Cole Collins, but will build around a large returning core led by P/1B Ty Percell, P/C/SS Brayden Webb and P/C Alex Vanassche. This is a team that will compete on the mound but will need more consistent bats to take the next step.
Heppner / Ione is a breakeven 3-3 to start 2024. The Mustangs only graduated two starters off of last year’s 20-win team, but one was League Player of the Year Tucker Ashbeck, a pitcher and the team’s shortstop. Seniors Cameron Proudfoot and Cayden George will lead the way, with junior Karver Wilkins back to be a mound asset after missing most of last year injured.
Monroe / Alsea went 13-14 last year, but the Dragons have won a lot – 559 times – in Bill Crowson’s 29 years leading this team. The team saw three players graduate and three others transfer, so this is a young group comprised almost exclusively of freshmen and sophomores. Owen Roberts, an All-Conference player as a freshman last year, will pitch, catch and play infield, giving Crowson a foundational player to build around.
College-Bound!
In this space, we list those players, in the current senior class and younger, who have signed National Letters of Intent in baseball or have made a commitment to attend a college or university of their choice. Congrats! It can be so demanding but at the same time is so rewarding.
Here are the 52 commitments that have been reported to us. Of those, 31 are going Division I, a massive number.
Ben Allen, senior C, McNary -- University of Portland
Jake Allen, senior OF, McNary-- University of Portland
Fischer Barber, junior RHP, Bend – Oregon State
Jonah Barkoff, senior LHP, Lake Oswego – University of Oregon
Blake Crawford, senior LHP, West Linn – University of Oregon
Eli Crist, senior 3B/RHP, Thurston -- Bushnell University
Gavin Derr, senior LHP, Mountain View -- Washington State
Alex Dexter, senior LHP, Lincoln – Occidental College
Nolan Donivan, Senior INF/RHP, The Dalles - Lane CC
Ervin Dorsett, Jr., senior INF -- Sacramento State
Quin Dufort, senior LHP, Ida B. Wells – University of Portland
De’Quan Duncan, senior OF, Tualatin – Mt. Hood CC
Adam Elliott, senior OF, Thurston -- Mt. Hood CC
Jace Elzy, senior SS, North Valley - Oregon Tech
Joe Fagan, junior SS, Scappoose - University of Portland
Reece Fisher, senior OF, Lincoln – Clark CC
Cade Gehlen, senior OF, Central Catholic – University of Portland
Will Goodman, junior INF, Bend – University of Washington
Caiden Gould, senior C - North Eugene -- Linfield University
Calvin Gregory, junior LHP, Lakeridge – Oregon State
River Hamilton, junior RHP, Barlow – Oregon State
Gabe Howard, senior RHP, West Linn – University of Oregon
Cole Katatyama-Stall, senior RHP/INF, Westview -- University of Portland
Nykori Lewis, senior C, Tualatin – Mt. Hood CC
Glen Maduro III, senior 1B/RHP, Tualatin – Mt. Hood CC
Ethan Matsuoka, senior INF, Tualatin -- University of Portland
Mickey McClaskey, senior RHP, Jesuit – University of La Verne
Nolan McCormack, senior 1B, Tualatin – Mt. Hood CC
Connor Molony, junior 1B/RHP, Thurston -- University of Oregon
Jayden Nakamura, junior SS, Aloha – University of Washington
Carter Nelson, senior RHP, South Salem – University of Oregon
Sawyer Nelson, sophomore SS, South Salem – University of Washington
Gunnar Pedersen- senior INF, Westview -- Eastern Arizona College
Isaac Pfeifer, junior C, Tualatin -- Arizona State
Riley Pratt, senior RHP. Blanchet Catholic – Corban University
Trevor Ratliff, senior SS, McNary -- Umpqua CC
Aiden Rice, junior INF, Central Catholic – University of Portland
Jeremiah Robbins, senior C, North Medford – Umpqua CC
Mitch Rowe, senior SS, West Linn – Centralia CC
Frankie Rutigliano, senior SS/RHP, North Medford – University of Portland
Kainoa Santiago, junior OF, Jesuit – Gonzaga University
Grady Saunders, sophomore RHP/Utility, Thurston – Oregon State
Garrett Schmokel, senior RHP, Lincoln – Everett CC
Griffin Scott, senior LHP, Ida B. Wells – University of Utah
Teagan Scott, sophomore C, South Salem – Oregon State
Bryant Starr, senior RHP/SS, Lebanon - Linn Benton CC
Nolan Umlandt, senior RHP, Sherwood – University of Portland
Ryan Vanden Brink, senior C, West Linn – Oregon State
Alex Via, junior RHP, Summit -- University of Portland
Ezra Vice, senior OF, Westview – Lane CC
Mark Wiepert, junior C/3B, Wilsonville -- Oregon State
Kellen Willer, senior RHP/1B, North Medford – Grays Harbor College
Email [email protected] to make corrections or add to this list.
