At least every other week during the spring season, we’ll talk some Oregon high school baseball. This is the place!
Take two…And three!
In last week’s Notebook, we shared that Sunset, South Salem and West Linn, teams ranked 1-2-4 in the most recent OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll, each took league openers on Tuesday over Jesuit, Sprague and Lake Oswego, teams ranked 5-2-6 in the same poll.
Well, Tuesday’s victors also won the second game of the series and the finale. Remarkable!
South Salem, which won the opener, 6-4, defeated Sprague by one-run scores, 8-7 and 16-15, in the final two games.
In the 8-7 win, the Saxons trailed 6-0 early and 7-6 late but scored two in the bottom of the seventh to walk off with the win. Kevin Semm’s hit with the bases loaded drove home the tying and winning runs.
The fifth inning in the 16-15 South Salem win was crazy for both teams. In the game moved to Volcanoes Stadium due to field conditions, South Salem scored nine runs in the top of the fifth to take a 13-7 lead. Sprague responded with seven in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead. South Salem then put a three-spot on the board in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good. Josh Feik had four hits, Gavin Price drove in five runs and Teagan Scott back picked a Sprague runner at second to end the game in the bottom of the seventh.
South Salem coach Jesse Price offered this perspective on the series: “Both teams can obviously score a lot of runs. That was on display throughout the entire series. Sprague just doesn’t have a single player in their lineup who doesn’t handle the bat well. That made things especially challenging on our pitching staff, which had to really fight and claw for every out. Our defense did a phenomenal job of making the routine plays, in addition to making a handful of really spectacular plays throughout the series, especially Noah Scharer out in centerfield, who put together an insane three-game stretch of highlight reel plays.
“All three games could have gone either way, especially those last two. To walk away with two wins, let alone all three, is just a testament to not only the way our guys play the game, but to how fickle of a sport this great game is. I’m proud of how our guys reacted to adversity throughout the three games, and how they never lost their fun for the game, even in difficult situations. They’re just a really special group.”
West Linn, which scored late to break open the first game versus Lake Oswego, won the final two by 8-0 and 4-1 scores.
In the 8-0 win, senior southpaw Blake Crawford was masterful. The Oregon recruit twirled a complete-game one-hitter, fanning 11. Four runs in the third, one a hit, two walks and an error, gave the senior the cushion he needed.
In the 4-1 win, West Linn opened a 3-0 lead after three, sparked by a Mitchell Rowe RBI single and Ryan Vanden Brink solo home run. That was enough for junior Roy Espinoza, who tossed six scoreless innings against the injury-riddled Lakers.
Sunset, which edged Jesuit, 3-2, in the opener, stayed unbeaten with two more wins over the Crusaders, 6-5 and 7-0.
The Apollos had to rally for three in the bottom of the last to edge Jesuit in Game 2. Kruz Schoolcraft led off the frame with a towering home run. Connor Anderson doubled to plate the tying run and Will Slater walked to bring home the game winner.
Slater threw six scoreless and Dakota Chun and Anderson combined to drive home five in the 7-0 finale.
***
There was a fourth series between top 10 6A teams last week. No. 9 Sandy took the two Mt. Hood Conference games, following up its 1-0 win on Tuesday with a 6-0 shutout on Thursday. Brayden Sievertsen threw a shutout gem for the Pioneers, yielding seven hits and two walks. He also benefited from great defense, led by 1B Aaron Menchaca, who was spectacular picking six baseballs out of the dirt.
Barlow got revenge in the non-league matchup, 13-5. The Bruins took advantage of 10 walks and two hit batsmen to punish the Pioneers.
All good things…
Sunset’s 18-game winning streak to start the season came to an end on Tuesday, at the hands of McMinnville. Brayden Mix tossed a complete-game four-hitters in the 2-0 non-league win. McMinnville’s ace benefited from three double plays behind him and lowered his ERA on the year to 1.24. Aaron Rolfe drove in both runs for the victorious Grizzlies.
The one that matters…
Sunset’s loss means there are no longer any undefeated teams in the state of Oregon.
There are several one-loss teams, however.
6A: Sunset 18-1; South Salem 17-1
5A: West Albany 19-1
4A: Henley 21-1
2A/1A: Blanchet Catholic 20-1; Kennedy 18-1
West Albany is riding a 15-game winning streak. The Bulldogs, who lost in extra innings to Thurston in the 5A title tilt last year, have lost only to Wilsonville, a team they also beat to open the season.
“We are having a really good run right now, and I would say it's been a solid group effort,” noted head coach Marty Johnston.
Pitching has been a major component to West Albany’s success. Junior Drew Rice is pitching to a microscopic ERA and has been complemented by second starter Lukas Hews and closer Sawyer Kasten, both of whom have ERA’s under two.
“The entire staff has done a great job keeping hitters off balance up to this point of the season,” Johnston observed.
West Albany has benefited from having a really good core of seniors who have stepped up and executed their roles this year. Aiden Metzker and Andrew Yost have been excellent in the infield and also at the plate.
“Metzker always finds a way to get on base and Yost hit a home run in the top of the 8th inning at Central on April 22 to lift us to a 3-2 victory,” Johnston said.
Two other seniors, Mason Linton and Zack Ferguson, have been key outfielders, with Linton a potent middle-of-the-order bat.
“I'd say that our success has not been due to the performance of two or three guys; rather a truly team effort,” Johnston explained. “We've had different guys step up in different situations and execute in a big way. It really shows the level of trust they have for one another. If someone isn't having their best day, there is trust that one of their teammates will pick them up.”
It’s a walk off!
Senior OF Eli Harrah is Scappoose’s Derek Zoolander after what he did in less than a week. On April 12, versus Tillamook, he hit a walk off home run in a 7-5 win. Six days later, his walk off single helped Scappoose edge St. Helens, 6-5.
Time for Camp
Junior left hander Drew Camp threw a five-inning perfect game, fanning 13 while throwing just 57 pitches for South Umpqua in a 12-0 win over Rogue River on April 30. The other two outs were ground outs.
STATS CATEGORIES
The idea for our 2024 stats categories is to recognize only those players achieving at the highest levels in the state of Oregon. They are not designed to produce massive, labor-intensive lists.
Any varsity baseball coach wanting to add someone to a list may email [email protected], list the category and supply the name of a player using the specific format for the category.
Going going gone goodbye!
Everyone digs the long ball.
Here, we will recognize those Oregonians who have gone yard five or more times so far this season. We will add to it in subsequent Baseball Notebooks as coaches tell us about the players who are dinger ringers.
9 – Boyd Messman, junior C, Sprague
7 – Gavin Price, junior OF, South Salem
7 – Mark Carpenter, junior SS, Henley
7 -- Reid Linkmeyer, junior SS, Liberty
6 – Ryan Vanden Brink, senior C, West Linn
6 -- Cole Katayama-Stall, senior INF, Westview
6 – Kaeden Cruse, junior 2B, Grant
5 – Drew Bartels, junior SS, Blanchet Catholic
5 -- Kruz Schoolcraft, junior 1B, Sunset
It’s a blur
Throwing hard in high school is the easiest way to get outs.
Here, we recognize those Oregon hurlers who hit 87 mph or higher when they get on the bump.
Cameron Ames, Sr. RHP, Central Catholic
Fischer Barber, junior RHP, Bend
Drew Bartels, junior RHP, Blanchet Catholic
Blake Crawford, senior LHP, West Linn
Slater de Brun, junior LHP, Summit
Gavin Derr, senior LHP, Mountain View
Finn Edwards, senior RHP, Summit
Mac Garrett, senior RHP, Corbett
Lucas Green, Sr. RHP, Cleveland
River Hamilton, junior RHP, Barlow
Gabe Howard, senior RHP, West Linn
Aidan Kelly, senior RHP, Sherwood
Matt Kosderka, senior RHP, Sandy
Andy Manning, senior RHP, Sherwood
Connor Molony, junior RHP, Thurston
Connor Parry, junior RHP, Sherwood
Isaac Pfeifer, junior RHP, Tualatin
Grady Saunders, sophomore RHP, Thurston
Luke Schoeffler, junior RHP, Crescent Valley
Justin Schramm, senior RHP, Wilsonville
Kruz Schoolcraft, junior LHP, Sunset
Griffin Scott, senior LHP, Ida B. Wells
Nolan Umlandt, senior RHP, Sherwood
Alex Via, junior RHP, Summit
Mark Wiepert, junior RHP, Wilsonville
Speed merchants
In this space, we recognize Oregon baseball players who have 20 or more stolen bases at this point in the season, based on the information we have received.
34 – Riley Lantis, senior C, Riverside
31 – Noah Koenig, senior C, Regis
31 – Braden Marthaller, freshman 1B, Toledo
30 – Caden George, senior SS, Heppner / Ione
26 -- Mason Koker, junior 3B, Toledo
26 – Micah Jayne, junior C, Union / Cove
25 – Grant Sumner, sophomore 1B, Horizon Christian, Tualatin
24 – Orion Houck, junior SS, Burns
23 -- Maddox Law, freshman OF, Toledo
22 – Gunnar Pedersen, senior SS, Westview
22 – Nolan Winthrop, Jr. INF, Lincoln
22 -- Tanner Crandall, senior, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
21 – Colby Crowell, sophomore C/SS/CF, Riverside
20 – Wilson Medina, junior OF, Sherwood
20 – Jace Elzy, senior SS, North Valley
20 – Noah Hancock, junior 2B/SS, Blanchet Catholic
Get a whiff of this!
Missing bats is an art.
This list recognizes those pitchers who have fanned 70 or more batters this season.
112 -- Zack Hankins, sophomore LHP, Taft
98 – Tucker Kallinger, senior RHP, North Douglas / Elkton
96 -- Kruz Schoolcraft, junior LHP, Sunset
92 – Bryson Nygren, junior RHP, Regis
91 – Ty Percell, senior RHP, Oakland
90 – Tyson Smith, sophomore RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
85 – Jack Wright, sophomore LHP, Burns
77 -- Grady Saunders, sophomore RHP, Thurston
72 – Jack Matthew, junior LHP, Hidden Valley
72 – Gavin Derr, senior LHP, Mountain View
71 -- Braden Marthaller, freshman RHP, Toledo
71 -- Bryant Starr, senior RHP, Lebanon
70 – Dane Kissel, Jr. RHP, North Valley
Wait! What?
In this space, we recognize hitters who have put up outrageous stat lines in a single game.
Tygue Barron, senior 1B, Umpqua Valley Christian – 3-for-3 with a double and four RBIs in 8-2 win over Kennedy on April 2
Drew Bartels, junior SS, Blanchet Catholic – 3-for-4 with a home run and six RBIs in March 16 win over Thomas Jefferson of Washington
Greg Bologoff, junior 1B, Westview – 2-for-4with two HRs, four RBIs and two runs scored in 13-5 win over Mountainside on April 9
Brayden Buck, junior OF, Tualatin – 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs and two runs scored on March 15 in 6-2 win over Willamette
Kaeden Cruse, junior 2B, Grant – 2-for-2 with two grand slams and nine RBIs in 18-0 win over Roosevelt on April 10
Dylan Cuff, junior C, Blanchet Catholic – 2-for-2 with a double, triple and five RBIs in April 2 win over Dayton
Cole Katayama-Stall, senior INF, Westview – 3-for-3 with two HRs, four RBIs, four runs scored and two walks in 13-5 win over Mountainside on April 9
Cole Katayama-Stall, senior INF, Westview – 5-for-5 with three HRs, 1 double and eight RBIs in 11-6 win over Sprague on March 17
Ian Kolmer, junior 3B, Ida B. Wells – 4-for-4, including a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs in 6-5 win on April 19 over Sprague. Kolmer’s last two hits were of the clutch variety in the win over the No. 1 Olympians.
Andrew Kralj, senior OF, Central Catholic – 4- for-4 with three doubles and three RBIs in 13-2 win over Nelson on April 30
Reid Linkmeyer, junior SS, Liberty – 3-for-3 with three HRs and nine RBIs in 17-6 win, March 28 versus Milwaukie
Boyd Messman, junior C, Sprague – 3-for-3 with three HRs and five RBIs in 17-1 win March 15 versus Grant
Max Nowlin, junior 1B, Scappoose -- 5-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in a 14-4 win at North Marion on April 9
Gavin Price, junior OF, South Salem – two three-runs homers in 9-0 win over Reynolds on March 28
Kaiden Roberts, senior 1B/2B, Harrisburg – 2-for-2 with two HRs, including a grand slam; five RBIs and three runs scored in March 16 rout of Sheridan
Teagan Scott, sophomore C, South Salem – 4-for-4 with five steals and an RBI in a 5-0 win over Tigard on March 18. Scott also threw out a would-be base stealer
Kevin Semm, junior 3B, South Salem – 4-for-4 with three HRs and six RBIs in 17-13 win over McNary on April 19. Semm hit a slam on the first pitch he saw, then added solo homers on his second and third pitches seen in the game.
Jordan Webber, senior DH, Hood River Valley -- 4-for-4 with a home run, double, two runs scored and two RBIs in April 16 loss to Putnam.
Karver Wilkins, junior 1B, Heppner / Ione – 3-for-4 with back-to-back grand slams in 22-10 win over Irrigon on April 6
Perfecto!
Below, we recognize pitchers who have thrown seven-inning no-hitters this year.
Mac Garrett, senior RHP, Corbett – Fanned 15 in 9-0 win over Vernonia on March 21
Matt Kosderka, senior RHP, Sandy – Struck out 15 and walked none (two errors) in 3-0 win over Lakeridge on April 2
Talon McGrorty, junior RHP, Warrenton – Struck out 15 and walked just one in 9-0 win at Valley Catholic on April 17
Lukas McLeroy, junior LHP, Lakeridge – Struck out six and walked three in 4-0 win over Clackamas on April 4
.500 or better batting average
Below, we recognize those hitters who, with a minimum of 50 plate appearances, are hitting .500 or better on the season.
.614 -- Teagan Scott, sophomore C, South Salem
.520 – Riley Lantis, senior C, Riverside
.515 – Will Olson, junior SS, Estacada
.514 – Conner Shively, sophomore C/SS, Henley
.510 – Kruz Schoolcraft, junior 1B, Sunset
.509 – Kaz Kalish, Sr. CF, Southridge
25 or more RBIs
Below we recognize those Oregon hitters with 25 or more runs driven in this season.
44 – Drew Bartels, junior SS, Blanchet Catholic
39 -- Gavin Price, junior OF, South Salem
39 – Dylan Cuff, junior C, Blanchet Catholic
37 – Kaiden Roberts, senior 1B/INF, Harrisburg
37 – Mark Carpenter, junior SS, Henley
36 – Jack Knips, senior 1B, Cascade Christian
34 – Boyd Messman, junior C, Sprague
33 -- Reid Linkmeyer, junior SS, Liberty
30 – Aiden Hayes, senior OF, Henley
29 – Cody Roletto, junior OH, Ida B. Wells
29 – Noah Letendre, senior OF, Cascade Christian
28 – Noah Hancock, junior 2B/SS, Blanchet Catholic
27 – Grady Sickler, freshman C, Cascade Christian
25 -- Weston Suchorski, sophomore 3B/INF, Grant Union / Prairie City / Monument
25 – Gabe Coltman, Jr. 1B, Lincoln
ERA of 1.00 or lower
Below we recognize pitchers with a current earned run average of 1.00 or lower with 20 or more innings pitched.
0.15 -- Kruz Schoolcraft, junior LHP, Sunset (46.1 innings)
0.24 – Drew Rice, junior RHP, West Albany
0.35 – Bryson Nygren, junior RHP, Regis (39.2 innings)
0.46 -- Matt Kosderka, senior RHP, Sandy (46 innings)
0.69 -- Quin Dufort, senior LHP, Ida B. Wells (42.2 innings)
0.76 – Mark Carpenter, junior RHP, Henley
0.78 – Kaeden Cruse, junior RHP, Grant (26.1 innings)
0.79 – Tucker Kallinger, senior RHP, North Douglas / Elkton (51 innings)
Catcher pick offs
In this space, we list those catchers who have, at least 10 times this year, cut down would-be base stealers at second or third, or back picked a runner at any of the infield bases.
22 – Wyatt Reed, junior, North Douglas / Elkton
17 – Hunter Gutenberger, senior, Rainier
16 – Ty Sheldon, senior, Liberty
15 – Christian Retherford, senior, Toledo
15 – Caiden Gould, senior, North Eugene
13 – Johnithin Silvis, junior, Sandy
11 -- Jeremiah Robbins, senior, North Medford
11 – Jake Kotansky, junior, Lakeridge|
11 – Cam Hammer, junior Ida B. Wells
10 -- Tanner Crandall, senior, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
Outfield assists
In this space, we list those outfielders who have, at least three times this year, thrown out runners trying to take an extra base.
4 – Ezra Vice, senior, Westview
4 – Ryland Bell, junior, Grant Union / Prairie City / Monument
4 – Kyle Miller, junior, Thurston
3 – Gavin Price, junior, South Salem
3 – Parker Sellner, sophomore, Newberg
3 – Odin Wilson, junior, Warrenton
3 – Easton Curtis, junior, North Medford
3 – Carter Zehr, senior, Liberty
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 commitments that have been reported to us.
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
Jacob Bishop, senior LHP, Jesuit - Linfield University
Jaxson Bowen, senior RHP, Sherwood - Centralia CC
Luey Campos, senior OF, Crescent Valley -- George Fox
Julius Christensen, senior LHP/OF, Jesuit – Lawrence University
Dakota Chun, junior C, Sunset -- University of Portland
Blake Crawford, senior LHP, West Linn – University of Oregon
Eli Crist, senior 3B/RHP, Thurston -- Bushnell University
Donavin Crouch, senior SS, Sandy – Eastern Oregon University
TJ Deen, senior INF, Crescent Valley -- George Fox
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
Manny Ehinger, freshman 3B, Lakeridge – University of Oregon
Adam Elliott, senior OF, Thurston -- Mt. Hood CC
Reuben Elliston, Sr.. OF, Grant - Centralia Community College
Jace Elzy, senior SS, North Valley - Oregon Tech
Quintin Esmay, senior RHP/OF, Canby – Blue Mountain CC
Parker Fabrycki, senior RHP, Sherwood - Eastern Oregon University
Joe Fagan, junior SS, Scappoose - University of Portland
Reece Fisher, senior OF, Lincoln – Clark CC
Zane Garvey, senior SS/RHP, Southridge – Western Oregon University
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
Grayson Grover, senior 3B/RHP, Scappoose - Southwestern Oregon CC
Luke Haener, senior RHP, Wilsonville- Regis University
River Hamilton, junior RHP, Barlow – Oregon State
Joseph Herbert, senior 2B, Marshfield -- Simpson University
Gabe Howard, senior RHP, West Linn – University of Oregon
Mason Jones, senior OF/1B, Southridge – Pacific University
Casey Julkowski, senior RHP, Gresham - Centralia CC
Cole Katatyama-Stall, senior RHP/INF, Westview -- University of Portland
Aidan Kelly, senior RHP, Sherwood - Eastern Oregon University
John Kent, senior RHP, Grant - Kenyon College
Jack Klee, senior RHP, Southridge – Chemeketa CC
Liam Kliever, senior C, Sherwood - Pacific University
Matthew Kosderka, senior RHP/OF, Sandy - Lower Columbia CC
Kheller Larson, senior INF/ RHP, Wilsonville- Arizona Christian University
Luke Larson, senior OF, Wilsonville - George Fox University
Landon Lea, senior OF, South Eugene – Linn-Benton CC
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
Andrew Mhoon, junior SS, Sprague – Loyola Marymount
Henry Mhoon, junior OF, Sprague – Loyola Marymount
Nolan Miller, senior LHP, Sheldon – University of Portland
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
Hudson Normand, senior RHP, Clackamas - Centralia CC
Jace Otteson, senior C, Pendleton – Mt. Hood CC
Connor Parry, junior RHP/1B, Sherwood - University of Portland
Gunnar Pedersen- senior INF, Westview -- Eastern Arizona College
Isaac Pfeifer, junior C, Tualatin -- Arizona State
Kayle Pisano, senior 1B, Clackamas - University of Oregon
Riley Pratt, senior RHP, Blanchet Catholic – Corban University
Trevor Ratliff, senior SS, McNary -- Umpqua CC
Berkley Reents, senior INF, Wilsonville- George Fox University
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
Justin Schramm, senior RHP, Wilsonville - Colorado Mesa University
Griffin Scott, senior LHP, Ida B. Wells – University of Utah
Teagan Scott, sophomore C, South Salem – Oregon State
Ty Sheldon, senior C, Liberty – Umpqua CC
Bryant Starr, senior RHP/SS, Lebanon - Linn Benton CC
Peyton Tyner, senior OF, Marist Catholic – Lane CC
Marcos Ulloa-Ford, senior RHP, Mazama – Oregon Tech
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
Jordan Webber, senior LHP/1B, Hood River Valley - Chandler-Gilbert CC
Danny Wideman, junior SS/OF, West Linn – University of Oregon
Mark Wiepert, junior C/3B, Wilsonville -- Oregon State
Kellen Willer, senior RHP/1B, North Medford – Grays Harbor College
Vince Williams, senior OF, Lake Oswego -- Pacific University
Drew Wooten, senior RHP, Marist Catholic – Mt. Hood CC
Cade Wynn, senior INF, Silverton – Mt. Hood CC
Email [email protected] to make corrections or add to this list.
johnt@osaa.org
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