The OSAAtoday Pre-Season Baseball Coaches Polls, released March 14, had eight of the 10 teams, which will play today and Saturday for state titles, ranked among the top 10 in their respective classifications.
Hidden Valley and La Grande were ranked 1-2 in 4A. No. 1 Kennedy (2A/1A), No. 2 Santiam Christian (3A), No. 3 Crescent Valley (5A) and No. 4 West Linn (6A) all were ranked well within the top five. Umpqua Valley Christian, No. 6 in 2A/1A; and South Umpqua, No. 7 in 3A; also were listed among the top 10.
Canby (6A) and Lebanon (5A) were unranked. Indeed, Canby NEVER was ranked in any of the six coaches polls released by OSAAtoday. Lebanon, which started the year 1-3, only made it into the top 10 for the fourth poll late in April.
Canby last appeared in a state championship game 62 years ago. Lebanon’s appearance Saturday will be its first.
Neither has ever won.
If these teams aren’t Cinderella stories, then Cinderella doesn’t exist.
But wait! There’s more:
The Lebanon coach hoping to be fitted for the Glass Slipper on Saturday is Jeff Stolsig.
The Canby coach seeking the same is his son, J.J. Stolsig.
Jeff has been at Lebanon, his alma mater, coaching for the past 31 years. The Warriors had made it to the quarterfinals just one time previously.
“I am proud to be able to coach at the high school of the community that helped raise me, my wife, and my kids,” he said. “It is a blessing to be able to give back to the community that helped shape our lives. Lebanon is a great place, in many ways, to raise a family.”
Jeff coached J.J. at Lebanon. J.J. was good enough to go on to catch at Linfield, where he was an All-Conference selection in his junior and senior seasons.
“I did have the honor to coach J.J. as a player,” Jeff said. “It was a blast. He made it so easy because he was such a great kid and leader.”
J.J. took a job teaching and coaching at McKay in Salem immediately upon graduating from college.
“I'm not sure J.J. followed me into teaching and coaching,” Jeff said. “J.J. has had so many wonderful teachers, administrators, and coaches pour into him love, time, wisdom, etc., that he saw that this is a great way to return that investment others made with him and to have some significance in the lives of other people.”
In 2012, J.J. moved on to Canby. Winning records have been few and far between since then, let alone a trip to the 6A finals.
“Having J.J. and his squad make it to the final game just further validates my appreciation for him,” Jeff said. “He is a terrific coach and person. He, his staff, and his players have done great work to make this an amazing season. The Warriors are rooting for the Cougs.”
J.J. said that Canby will be returning the favor.
“I am super pumped for the Lebanon community, players, and, of course, my dad,” he said. “He loves baseball and, more importantly, he loves building young men. I am excited for their opportunity.”
***
2A/1A Championship Final
Friday, 5 p.m., Volcanoes Stadium, Keizer
Kennedy Trojans (26-3) v. Umpqua Valley Christian Monarchs (25-4)
OSAA playoff rank: Kennedy, No. 2; UVC, No. 1
Final coaches poll rank: Kennedy, No. 2; UVC, No. 3
2021 records: Kennedy 18-1; UVC 12-5
Head to head in 2022: Kennedy 4,UVC 0 on March 22
Kennedy
Number of state championships: 1
Last state championship: 2012
Last appearance in a state final: 2019
Path to the finals: d. OSAA No. 18 Grant Union / Prairie City 13-0; d. No. 7 Monroe 6-1; d. No. 3 Knappa 11-1
Probable starting pitcher: Game time decision – junior Andrew Cuff, junior Luke Beyer and senior Riley Cantu all have no pitch limits
Top offensive players: Cantu (.547; 47 RBIs); Cuff (.466; 42 RBIs)
First Team All-League performers: Cantu, Cuff (P), junior Ethan Kleinschmit (P), junior Charlie Beyer (C), junior Luke Beyer (INF), junior Owen Bruner (OF), junior Matt Hopkins (1B)
Umpqua Valley Christian
Number of state championships: 3
Last state championship: 2019
Last appearance in a state final: 2019
Path to the finals: d. No. 17 Lakeview 5-4; d. No. 8 Bandon 11-1 (5 innings); d. No. 4 Dufur / South Wasco County 4-3 (9 innings)
Probable starting pitcher: senior Nathan York (2-0; 3.50 ERA), though it could also be sophomore Kevin Shaver or sophomore Tygue Barron
Top offensive players: York (.402; 3 HRs, 20 RBIs; 14 SBs); senior Josh Luther (.462; 32 RBIs); freshman Ty Hellenthal (.404; 25 RBIs; 11 SBs)
First Team All-League performers: Hellenthal (P), York (OF), Barron (INF), Shaver (C), Luther (1B), sophomore Daniel Withers (INF), junior Levi Heard (OF)
Game notes: The last time OSAA hosted a 2A/1A state championship game, in 2019, Kennedy and Umpqua Valley Christian played in the final, with UVC prevailing, 10-5, in nine innings. Luther and York were on the UVC roster but played sparingly. Kennedy got revenge in the 2021 Covid-shortened season, winning 9-1; and won again, 4-0, earlier this season. Kennedy has a balanced offense but the key for this team is pitching. The Trojans allowed just 40 runs all season long, a trend that has continued during the playoffs. “Just a bunch of guys that work hard and enjoy playing baseball,” said head coach Kevin Moffatt. “I think that has led to the year we have had.” Umpqua Valley Christian will be seeking its fourth title all time. The Monarchs won, under head coach Dave York, in 2002 and 2009, but had to shut the program down for a year in 2015 due to declining enrollment among other things. The program returned won year later and won state again in 2019. This year’s team is very young, with only three seniors. But the Monarchs are hot and come to Keizer riding a 19-game winning streak. Still, York knows the task that lies ahead with Kennedy. “It’s going to be tough,” he said. “Kennedy is a very experienced and talented team. We’re going to need to play really well to beat them.”
3A Championship Final
Friday, 1:30 p.m., Volcanoes Stadium, Keizer
Santiam Christian Eagles (20-8) v. South Umpqua Lancers (24-5)
OSAA playoff rank: Santiam Christian, No. 5; South Umpqua, No. 2
Final coaches poll rank: Santiam Christian, No. 5; South Umpqua, No. 2
2021 records: Santiam Christian 11-4; South Umpqua 11-6
Head to head in 2022: Did not play
Santiam Christian
Number of state championships: 4
Last state championship: 2015
Last appearance in a state final: 2016
Path to the finals: d. No. 12 Taft 3-1; d. No. 4 Brookings-Harbor 8-1; d. No. 9 Blanchet Catholic 5-4 (9 innings)
Probable starting pitcher: junior RHP Camden Carley (1.77 ERA; mentally tough) or senior RHP Jadon Roth (2.51 ERA; 3-pitch mix)
Top offensive players: senior Ely Kennel (.548; 8 HRs; 39 RBIs; 28 SBs); Roth (.371; 14 extra base hits); Kadon Haugen (.300; 21 RBIs)
First Team All-League performers: Kennel (POY), Roth (C), senior Jackson Risinger (3B), Haugen (P), Carley (P)
South Umpqua
Number of state championships: 2
Last state championship: 1979
Last appearance in a state final: 1996
Path to the finals: d. No. 15 Scio 5-2; d. No. 10 St. Mary’s Medford 6-1; d. No. 3 Yamhill-Carlton 7-6
Probable starting pitcher: junior RHP Jace Johnson (9-0; 0.64 ERA; commands strike zone)
Top offensive players: senior Kade Johnson (.427; 3 HRs; 28 RBIs; 23 SBs); senior Justin Jenks (.395; 27 RBIs; 16 SBs)
First Team All-League performers: senior RHP Ever Lamm (P), Jace Johnson (P); Kade Johnson (SS), Jenks (2B), senior 1B Brayden Reedy
Game notes: Santiam Christian started the season 4-5, then won 13 games in a row before closing the regular season with three straight losses. The strength of the Eagles all year has been pitching to contact and playing good defense. SS Kennel, an Oregon State recruit, is the team’s do-it-all player. If Santiam Christian is playing well, chances are that Kennel is heavily involved. South Umpqua comes into the game healthy and winners of 14 of its last 15 games. The Lancers are a fast team, capable of doing serious damage on the base paths. Ten players also participated in the state championship football game this past fall. The last time SU played in a state baseball final, assistant coach Danny Bowers was the starting pitcher.
4A Championship Final
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Volcanoes Stadium, Keizer
La Grande Tigers (27-1) v. Hidden Valley Mustangs (27-2)
OSAA playoff rank: La Grande, No. 4; Hidden Valley, No. 2
Final coaches poll rank: La Grande, No. 1; Hidden Valley, No. 2
2021 records: La Grande 14-2; Hidden Valley 18-0
Head to head in 2022: Did not play
La Grande
Number of state championships: 2
Last state championship: 2017
Last appearance in a state final: 2018
Path to the finals: d. No. 13 Marshfield 10-0 (5 innings); d. No. 5 Marist Catholic 10-4; d. No. 8 Philomath 8-0
Probable starting pitcher: Undetermined. Will be either junior Logan Williams, junior Jace Schow, junior Sam Tsiatsos or senior Nick Bornstedt. All are RHP with a 19-1 combined record and combined ERA of 1.07.
Top offensive players: senior SS Devin Bell (.541; 10 HRs; 69 RBIs); senior C Cole Jorgensen (.487; 4 HRs; 33 RBIs)
First Team All-League performers: Bell (POY), Jorgensen (C), Bornstedt (1B), Williams (INF), senior Cesar Rodriguez (OF), senior Braden Carson (OF), junior Noah McIlmoil (DH), Schow (P), Tsiatsos (P)
Hidden Valley
Number of state championships: 0 (1, if you count last season’s culminating event)
Last state championship: None
Last appearance in a state final: 2012
Path to the finals: d. No. 15 Baker / Powder Valley 7-0; d. No. 10 Junction City 17-0; d. No. 6 Mazama 10-1
Probable starting pitcher: senior RHP Isaac Hill (10-1; 1.1 ERA; hard thrower whose fastball tops at 92 mph)
Top offensive players: senior Nate Vidlak (.511; 22 SBs); senior Caleb Richter (.410; 3 HRs); Hill (.390; 8 HRs); junior Daniel Iwamizu (.403; 3 HRs)
First Team All-League performers: Hill (co-POY); Vidlak (co-POY), Iwamizu (OF), Richter (OF), senior Noah Stone (OF), junior AJ Elzy (C)
Game notes: Hidden Valley's unblemished record during the shortened Covid season included a 5-2 win over La Grande in the final game of the unofficial state championship. The Mustangs won their first 11 games of 2022 to establish a 4A record of 29 consecutive wins. The team is led by the senior duo of Hill and Vidlak, who are both outstanding pitchers and offensive threats. Vidlak threw 103 pitches on Tuesday and wouldn’t be available for full return unless weather delays the final until Monday. La Grande lost to a team from Colorado over spring break. The Tigers are 21-0 against Oregon teams, with a win over 6A finalist Canby; and come to Keizer winners of 23 straight. The team is very offensive minded, with a composite batting average of .363 and on base percentage of .499. Bell is the one to watch. He finished second in the state in home runs, fifth in batting average and won the RBI title by a wide margin.
5A Championship Final
Saturday, 10 a.m., Volcanoes Stadium, Keizer
Crescent Valley Raiders (19-10) v. Lebanon Warriors (23-4)
OSAA playoff rank: Crescent Valley, No. 11; Lebanon, No. 1
Final coaches poll rank: Crescent Valley, not ranked; Lebanon, No. 2
2021 records: Crescent Valley 11-8; Lebanon 8-8
Head to head in 2022: Lebanon 11-4 and 8-4 in Mid-Willamette Conference play late in April
Crescent Valley
Number of state championships: 0
Last state championship: None
Last appearance in a state final: 2018
Path to the finals: d. No. 6 Ashland 7-6 (8 innings); d. No. 3Thurston 11-5; d. No. 2 Wilsonville 9-4
Probable starting pitcher: senior RHP Noah Dewey (2.54 ERA; 6-6 and 210 pounds)
Top offensive players: Senior C Landen Parker (.394; 39 runs; 20 RBIs; 23 SBs), junior 3B Walker Still Jr. (.338; 10 2Bs; 20 RBIs), senior OF Caleb Kelley (.384; 20 RBIs; 15 SBs)
First Team All-League performers: Parker (C), Still Jr. (Util), Dewey (INF)
Lebanon
Number of state championships: 0
Last state championship: None
Last appearance in a state final: None
Path to the finals: d. No. 16 North Eugene 11-7; d. No. 8 Pendleton / Griswold 4-2; d. No. 4 Willamette 3-2
Probable starting pitcher: junior RHP Ryan Rivers (5-0; 0.46 ERA over 30+ innings; plus fastball and very good slider)
Top offensive players: Rivers (.412; 11 doubles; 22 RBIs); junior C Matt Woodward (.403); sophomore Hayden George (.400; 30 hits)
First Team All-League performers: Rivers (POY), Woodward (C), George (OF), junior Tyler Walker (P), junior Colton Vandetta (INF)
Game notes: Crescent Valley was considered the pre-season favorite in the Mid-Willamette Conference, but the Raiders only went 9-7 in league play, while Lebanon surged to a 15-1 mark, losing its only league game to West Albany, 1-0. Crescent Valley was hovering one game about .500 at 10-9 before catching fire late in the year. The Raiders, with nine seniors on the roster, proved their bona fides by winning three straight playoff games on the road against higher-seeded teams. Lebanon was ranked No. 12 statewide by the 5A coaches in the pre-season, but the Warriors finished second due to consistent play all season long and a fantastic record in the state’s toughest league. Lebanon defeated 6A finalist Canby on April 1 to launch a 12-game winning streak after a 1-3 start. The Warriors, who had never been beyond the quarterfinals before this year, are very well balanced. They hit .327 as a team and pitch to a team ERA of 2.01.
6A Championship Final
Saturday, 5 p.m., Volcanoes Stadium, Keizer
Canby Cougars (19-12) v. West Linn Lions (24-7)
OSAA playoff rank: Canby, No. 14, West Linn, No. 4
Final coaches poll rank: Canby, nor ranked; West Linn, No. 3
2021 records: Canby 8-10; West Linn 11-8
Head to head in 2022: West Linn 3-0 and 6-5, Canby 2-1 in Three Rivers League play in mid-April
Canby
Number of state championships: 0
Last state championship: None
Last appearance in a state final: 1960
Path to the finals: d. No. 19 Bend 2-1; d. No. 3 South Medford 4-2; d. No. 6 Mountainside 1-0; d. No. 7 Clackamas 14-9
Probable starting pitcher: Undecided; senior RHP Joe Brauckmiller pitched to an ERA of 1.59.
Top offensive players: Brauckmiller (.373 in league play); senior INF Kellan Oakes (.333)
First Team All-League performers: Brauckmiller (OF and P)
West Linn
Number of state championships: 2
Last state championship: 1982
Last appearance in a state final: 2017
Path to the finals: d. No. 29 Glencoe 8-3; d. No. 13 Sprague 4-0; d. No. 21 Sheldon 5-4; d. No. 1 Lakeridge 5-4
Probable starting pitcher: junior RHP Drew Talavs (9-2; 0.95 ERA)
Top offensive players: sophomore C Ryan VandenBrink (.553 during regular season; 11 2Bs, 4 HRs); senior SS Kace Naone (2 HRs, 8 RBIs over four playoff games); junior OF Drake Gabel (.352 during regular season)
First Team All-League performers: Talavs (P), VandenBrink (C), senior Jeremy Levasseur (INF), junior Max Wright (DH), Gabel (OF; P)
Game notes: Canby has 11 seniors. All are great competitors. The Cougars finished 11-7 in the TRL but defeated 1st place Lakeridge and 2nd place West Linn once each and swept fourth place Tualatin. The Cougars were 4-7 after their first 11 games and went 15-5 the rest of the way, including three playoff wins over higher-seeded teams on the road. Canby has the feeling of a team of destiny, akin to Oregon City, which made the 2016 state finals as a No. 12 seed with a 20-11 record and 10-7 league record in the Mt. Hood Conference. The team is loaded with battlers who love to compete and Canby is one of the best fielding teams in the state. West Linn is making its third appearance in the state final since head coach Joe Monahan took over in 2014. The Lions are solid on the mound with Talavs, an Oregon State commit; sophomore Gabe Howard, an Oregon recruit; and Gabel, a lefty who’s been sensational in a closing role. Talavs shut Canby out on April 12. The offense features athletes at every position. Eight played on the 6A semifinal football team; two played on the third-place basketball team.
johnt@osaa.org
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