Price is right for South Salem
Volcanoes Stadium was the site for Tuesday’s 6A clash between currently-undefeated South Salem and three-time defending state champion West Linn.
The teams were knotted at 4-4 heading to the seventh after strong mound performance from Harrison Buckingham for South Salem and Carson Boyer for West Linn.
In the top of seventh, West Linn put two on base with one out, but Luke Erwin entered for the Saxons and was able to shut down the high-powered Lions.
Teagan Scott doubled to lead off the bottom of the frame for South Salem (9-0). One out later, West Linn intentionally walked Noah Scharer in order to pitch to Gavin Price. Price had already contributed two hits to the Saxon attack and the senior delivered one more, a line shot deep down the right field line, to plate the game winner. Price finished the game 3-for-4, a home run short of the cycle, with three RBIs.
West Linn, which suffered its first loss to an Oregon school this year, fell to 5-3 overall.
More undefeateds
South Salem is one of just five remaining Oregon nines yet to taste defeat this year. The others are Wilsonville (9-0) in 5A and Kennedy (8-0), Reedsport (7-0) and Union / Cove (8-0) in 2A/1A.
Wilsonville has been thriving under first-year head coach Jason Rasco and a roster that features 10 seniors, including superstar Mark Wiepert. The Wildcats are averaging 10 runs per game while yielding just three heading into today’s showdown at 8-2 Bend.
Kennedy, a perennial small-school power, last won state in 2023, when it went 31-0, the first undefeated state champion since Knappa in 2018. The Trojans improved to 8-0 with a 3-0 shutout win over Clatskanie on Wednesday. Coach Kevin Moffatt’s team has done a great job on the mound, yielding just two runs per game while throwing strikes and limiting baserunners in another fast start. Kennedy also won its first eight games last year.
Reedsport dominated a double header yesterday versus Camas Valley to improve to 7-0. Coach Todd Harrington said that the Brave has depth on the mound and that everyone he’s run out there has been really good. Reedsport was able to put its best nine on the field yesterday for the first time, as the team had been depleted by suspensions, vacations and illness in earlier game. The offense clicked versus CV for 32 runs, with Zac Barnes, Nate Farris, Dawson Ward and Bryson Manicke all contributing at the dish.
Union / Cove’s success has come courtesy of a robust, senior-led offense averaging 16 runs per game. Jonah Jayne, Micah Jayne and Nolan Needham have sparked the Bobcats by hitting over .400, but all nine starters have on base percentages of .500 or higher, so the bases always seem to be occupied.
“We are slowing putting things together and will see how it shakes out as we get deeper into league,” said coach Greg Poor.
Note that Silverton had been unbeaten at 7-0 until running into 6A McMinnville on Tuesday. The Grizzlies won, 2-0, behind junior Tyler Brummit’s complete-game four-hitter. Brayden Mix scored both runs for McMinnville, which Cam Hyder was 2-for-3 and drove home one. Hyder also was a catalyst in McMinnville’s 7-0 victory over Nelson last Friday. The junior pitched into the seventh inning, with six strike outs, and contributed two hits and an RBI.
Up to the Challenge
Cascade Christian hurlers Grady Sickler and Blake Patereau did something pretty special over Spring Break last in March. Sickler, a sophomore RHP, threw a five-inning no hitter in a win over La Pine at the Challenge Classic Spring Break Tournament that Cascade Christian hosts every year. One day later, Patereau, a freshman right hander, duplicated Sickler’s feat with a five-inning no hitter in a win over Banks.
Masters-full win for Knappa
On Saturday, Knappa and Umpqua Valley Christian met in a rematch of last year’s 2A/1A state championship game, which UVC won. Knappa was able to turn the tables in the 2-1 win, thanks to a two-spot in the bottom of the sixth.
Starting and winning pitcher Lukas Masters struck out nine in six innings for the Loggers one week after a frightening head-on car accident that occurred right in front of the school on the way home from a game.
“It was an encouraging performance for the Loggers after a slow start to the season,” said Knappa coach Jeff Miller.
Smelling like roses at the park
Parkrose bested McNary yesterday to improve to 6-3 on the year. The 5A Broncos are riding a four-game winning streak, all against 6A opponents.
“Our developing young baseball team is beginning to string together some impressive and competitive wins on the field,” said coach Jai Blair. “The team has been showing remarkable growth and resilience, with standout performances on both the mound and at the plate.
“Our pitching staff has been outstanding, led by strong outings from Chaz Johnson, Casey Moyes, James Waters and Hayden Bump. Their ability to command the game and deliver under pressure has been a huge factor in our recent success.
“Offensively, key hitters like Julius Blair, Moyes and Johnson have been leading the charge with timely hits and solid at-bats. Jaiden Blair has also been a spark plug in the lineup—consistently getting on base, swiping bags, and putting himself in position to score.
This team is coming together and finding its rhythm. With every game, we’re proving that we’re building something special—competitive, exciting baseball with a bright future.”
News & notes
Junior catcher Nolan Foglio is off to a hot start for Clackamas. Through the Cavaliers’ first six games, he was hitting .565 with 13 knocks, including three doubles and a triple, plus five runs batted in.
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Kaeden Cruse hit his state-leading fifth home run in the bottom of the seventh inning on Tuesday to help Grant (5-5) walk off Barlow, 3-2. The win helped the Generals snap a three-game losing streak, though the losses were at the hands of South Salem, West Linn and Jesuit.
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Sunset, the pre-season favorite to win 6A, edged Aloha, 1-0, on Tuesday in Metro League play. Junior lefty Achilles Garcia had a no-hitter going into the seventh for Aloha, but was foiled with two outs by Gavin Riley, who delivered a game-winning single for the walk off win. Kruz Schoolcraft, a Tennessee commit expected to be taken in the top 10 picks of the July MLB draft, matches Garcia with five no-hit innings, which included 14 strike outs; before being pulled after 74 pitches.
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Lebanon snapped a three-game losing streak with a 15-14 win over Estacada on Monday. Junior 1B Trenton Lewis had four hits and three RBIs for the victors, including the walk off single in the bottom of the seventh, which helped the Warriors rally from a one-run deficit. Cohen Vandiver had tied the game one batter earlier on a two-out single.
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Vacations and injuries slowed Sutherlin during an 0-3 stint over Spring Break, but the Bulldogs battled back with wins last week over Lakeview and Sisters. Jackson Tillett and Aaron Lepre combined on a two-hitter and Cameron King drove in four in a 10-0 win over Lakeview on April 3. Sutherlin subsequently split with Sisters, coming from a 3-0 deficit in the second game of a Saturday double header to win 6-4 behind the solid pitching duo of Tillett and Lepre.
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Trenton Hertzog struck out 17 in seven innings of relief as Tualatin overcame Sandy, 3-2, in 14 innings on April 3.
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Summit avenged a heartbreaking loss to West Albany in the 5A semifinals last year by edging the Bulldogs, 5-4, on Friday. Carter Hess was stellar on the mound for the Storm and senior catcher Tanner McIntyre drove in three.
West Albany, which lost the 5A state championship game to Thurston, 2-0, is off to a 1-6 start to the season against a tough schedule, but has been competitive in each game.
Stats Categories
This is our first full week of baseball stats categories. Baseball coaches exclusively contributed to the population of these categories. Baseball coaches who did not contribute, but wish to, may contact John Tawa at [email protected] to learn how to get their players on these lists.
Going going gone goodbye!
Everyone digs the long ball.
Here, we recognize those Oregonians who have cleared the fences three or more times so far this season.
5 – Kaeden Cruse, senior INF, Grant
4 – Isaac Pfeifer, senior C, Tualatin
3 – Kruz Schoolcraft, reclassified senior 1B, Sunset
3 – Noah Scharer, senior OF, South Salem
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 on the bump. Note: this list includes underclass listed last year until we receive news that would disqualify them from it (injury, transfer out of state, no longer playing baseball, velocity decrease)
Fischer Barber, senior RHP, Bend
Drew Bartels, senior RHP, Blanchet Catholic
Harrison Buckingham, sophomore RHP, South Salem
Slater de Brun, senior LHP, Summit
Zack Hankins, junior LHP, Taft
River Hamilton, senior RHP, Barlow
Slade Hudson, junior RHP, Cascade
Kyle Miller, senior RHP, Thurston
Connor Molony, senior RHP, Thurston
Connor Parry, senior RHP, Sherwood
Isaac Pfeifer, senior RHP, Tualatin
Grady Saunders, junior RHP, Thurston
Noah Scharer, senior RHP, South Salem
Luke Schoeffler, senior RHP, Crescent Valley
Kruz Schoolcraft, junior LHP, Sunset
Tyson Smith, junior RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
Alex Via, senior RHP, Summit
Graeme Warner-McGee, junior RHP, Lincoln
Mark Wiepert, senior RHP, Wilsonville
Cooper Yudhishthu, senior RHP, Grant
Speed merchants
In this space, we recognize Oregon baseball players who have stolen 10 or more bases this season.
17 -- Nolan Needham, senior OF, Union / Cove
16 – Micah Jayne, senior C, Union / Cove
12 – Jonah Jayne, sophomore SS, Union / Cove
12 – Trenton Battle, senior OF, Taft
12 – Zack Hankins, junior 1B, Taft
11 – Teagan Scott, junior C, South Salem
11 – Morgan Johnson, senior 1B, Union / Cove
10 – Ty Sconfienza, junior SS, Reynolds
10 – Erick Pezqueda, junior INF, North Valley
10 – Hayden Taylor, junior OF, North Valley
Get a whiff of this!
Missing bats is an art.
This list recognizes those pitchers who have fanned 20 or more batters this season.
45 -- Zack Hankins, junior LHP, Taft
41 – Jack Wright, junior LHP, Burns / Crane
33 – P.J. Safford, junior RHP, Klamath Union
30 – Trenton Hertzog, junior RHP, Tualatin
30 – Nolan Needham, senior LHP, Union / Cove
28 – Trenton Lewis, junior RHP, Lebanon
28 – Josh Riddle, senior RHP, Santiam Christian
27 – Parker Sellner, junior RHP, Newberg
26 -- Kruz Schoolcraft, reclassified senior LHP, Sunset
26 – Kooper Grove, freshman RHP, Joseph / Enterprise / Wallowa
26 – Mark Carpenter, senior RHP, Henley
26 – Alex Via, senior RHP, Summit
25 – Grady Sickler, sophomore RHP, Cascade Christian
24 – Jack McLaughry, junior RHP, Baker
23 – Dane Kissel, junior RHP, North Valley
23 -- Slade Hudson, junior RHP, Cascade
22 – Bodie Stuben, junior RHP, Hood River Valley
22 – Harrison Buckingham, sophomore RHP, South Salem
22 – Garland Whetsler, junior RHP, Joseph / Enterprise / Wallowa
21 – Ethan Hiebenthal, sophomore RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
21 – Luke Erwin, senior LHP, South Salem
21 – Connor Crawford, junior RHP, Estacada
21 – Blake Patereau, freshman RHP, Cascade Christian
21 -- Cash Hattenhauer, senior RHP, Bend
20 – Austin Reynolds, senior RHP, Reynolds
20 – Jack Burnham, sophomore LHP, Ida B. Wells
20 – Lukas Masters, senior RHP, Knappa
20 -- Cole Cooper, junior RHP, Bend
20 – Tyson Smith, junior RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
20 – Kyle Miller, senior RHP, Thurston
Wait! What?
In this space, we recognize hitters who have put up outrageous stat lines in a single game.
Tildon Coffman, junior SS, Klamath Union – three hits, including two home runs, and eight RBIs in 22-7 win over Neah-Kah-Nie on March 26
Landon Collar, senior SS, Roosevelt – 5-for-6 with two steals, four runs scored and six driven home in a 34-6 win at McKay on April 2
Owen Eggert, senior 3B, Wilsonville – 3-for-3 – just a homer short of the cycle – with six RBIs in 21-0 win over Mountain View on April 2
Chase Herrera, sophomore SS, Harrisburg – 4-for-4 with three steals and five RBIs in 20-4 win over Western Christian on April 1
Isaac Pfeifer, senior C, Tualatin – 3-for-4, two home runs, a double and three RBIs in a 7-3 win over Doherty of Colorado on March 27
Axel Prechel, senior OF, Corvallis – 5-for-5 with two triples, two doubles and eight RBIs in 17-16 win over Crater on March 24. Prechel also made two great catches in the game. His second triple in the last inning scored three to tie the game. He scored the winning run moments later.
Teagan Scott, junior C, South Salem – 4-for-4 with two home runs, including a grand slam; two doubles, two stolen bases, five runs scored and seven RBIs in 20-1 win over Mountain View on April 5
Perfecto!
Below, we recognize pitchers who have thrown seven-inning no-hitters this year.
Josh Riddle, senior RHP, Santiam Christian – fanned 15 and walked only two in 7-0 win over Yamhill-Carlton on April 2
Danner Wertz, freshman RHP, Roseburg – walked just one in 4-0 win over South Medford on April 5
.600 or better batting average
Below, we recognize those hitters who, with a minimum of 20 plate appearances, are hitting .600 or better on the season.
*None reported
10 or more RBIs
Below we recognize those Oregon hitters with 10 or more runs driven in so far this season.
18 – Jacoby Tacchini, freshman C, Henley
16 – Zack Hankins, junior 1B, Taft
14 -- Will Olson, senior SS, Estacada
14 -- Tildon Coffman, junior SS, Klamath Union
13 – Ezra James, senior SS, Taft
13 – Fischer Barber, senior DH, Bend
12 -- Connor Abbott, senior OF, Estacada
12 – Isaac Pfeifer, senior C, Tualatin
12 -- Connor Molony, senior 1B, Thurston
12 -- Trace Esterbrook, sophomore 3B, South Umpqua
11 – CJ Bonner, senior SS, Cascade Christian
11 -- Paul Ables, junior 3B, Estacada
11 – Makai Morton, senior OF, Bend
10 – Justice Kelso, senior C, Taft
10 – Kaeden Cruse, senior INF, Grant
10 -- Graeme Warner-McGee, junior OF, Lincoln
10 – Will Goodman, senior SS, Bend
10 – Cash Hattenhauer, senior INF, Bend
ERA of zero
Below we recognize pitchers who have yet to allow an earned run over 10 or more innings pitched this season.
Mark Carpenter, senior RHP, Henley (12 innings)
Blake Patereau, freshman RHP, Cascade Christian (19.2 innings)
Tyson Smith, junior RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian (12 innings)
College-Bound!
In this space, we list 83 current high school players who have made a commitment to attend a college or university of their choice and play baseball.
Brady Ackerman, senior INF, Canby – Arizona Christian University
Jordan Araiza, senior RHP/UTIL, Tualatin – Mt. Hood CC
Fischer Barber, senior RHP, Bend – Tacoma CC
Max Bishop, senior RHP, OF, La Salle Prep – Lane CC
Greg Bologoff, senior 1B, Westview – Ottawa University-Phoenix
Noah Boria, senior SS/RHP, Nelson – Lower Columbia CC
Carson Boyer, senior LHP, West Linn -- Gonzaga
Ethan Bruce, senior SS, Mountain View - Shasta College
Brayden Buck, senior OF, Tualatin – Tacoma CC
Dakota Chun, senior C, Sunset -- University of Portland
Gabe Coltman, senior OF, Sunset – University of South Carolina Upstate
Braden Corgain, senior C, Thurston – Lane CC
Easton Curtis, senior OF, North Medford – Lassen CC
Brodan Curtiss, senior INF/OF, Barlow – Chemeketa CC
Dominic Daffron, senior RHP, North Medford – Linn-Benton CC
Slater de Brun, senior OF, Summit -- Vanderbilt
Manny Ehinger, sophomore 3B, Lakeridge – University of Oregon
Joe Fagan, senior SS, Scappoose - University of Portland
Will Goodman, senior INF, Bend – Pepperdine University
Max Green, junior INF/RHP, Sandy – Mt. Hood CC
Calvin Gregory, senior LHP, Lakeridge – Oregon State
River Hamilton, senior RHP, Barlow – LSU
Cam Hammer, senior INF, Ida B. Wells – Willamette University
Hudson Hauck, senior RHP, Southridge – Chemeketa CC
Zack Hayden, senior LHP, Reynolds – Mt. Hood CC
Colby Herren, senior 1B, Canby – Yakima CC
Aiden Herrera, senior OF, Tualatin – Clackamas CC
Torsten Hersom, senior RHP, La Salle Prep – Bushnell University
Carter Hess, senior RHP/OF, Summit – Mt. Hood CC
Cooper Hibbs, senior OF, Sandy – Mt. Hood CC
Orion Houck, senior INF/RHP, Burns / Crane – Blue Mountain CC
Johnny Ingalls, senior RHP, Jesuit – Linfield University
Brady Kennedy, senior LHP/OF, Mountain View - Shasta College
Kiyo Kiyokawa, senior INF, Barlow – Clark College
Ian Kolmer, senior RHP/OF, Ida B. Wells – University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
Evan Lehnert, senior RHP, Pendleton / Nixyaawii – Linn-Benton CC
Noah Kovac, senior RHP, Nelson – Mt. Hood CC
Niko Leyba, senior SS/RHP, Marist Catholic – Cuesta CC
Colby Lipp, senior RHP, Jesuit – College of the Canyons
David MacDonald, senior INF, Thurston – Redwoods CC
Gage Martinez, senior SS/RHP, Crook County – Blue Mountain CC
Diego Martinez Griffin, senior 1B, Grant – Columbia Basin CC
Talon McGrorty, senior RHP/INF, Warrenton – Linn-Benton CC
Tyson McGrorty, senior C, Warrenton – Linn-Benton CC
Boyd Messman, senior C/1B, Sprague – Bushnell University
Andrew Mhoon, senior SS, Sprague – Loyola Marymount
Connor Molony, senior 1B/RHP, Thurston -- University of Oregon
Jayden Nakamura, senior SS, Aloha – University of Washington
Sawyer Nelson, junior SS, South Salem – Loyola Marymount
Bryson Nygren, senior RHP, Silverton – Linn-Benton CC
Nash Opitz, senior SS/RHP, McMinnville – Antelope Valley CC
Ezra Oster, senior RHP/1B, Cleveland – Oregon Institute of Technology
Connor Parry, senior RHP/1B, Sherwood - University of Portland
Isaac Pfeifer, senior C, Tualatin – University of Portland
Jackson Poole, senior OF, Ida B. Wells – Clackamas CC
Addison Postlewait, senior INF/RHP, Hood River Valley – Diablo Valley College
Gavin Price, senior C, Corvallis – George Fox University
Gavin Price, senior OF, South Salem – University of Louisiana-Monroe
Talon Pryor, senior INF, Brookings-Harbor – Blue Mountain CC
Parker Raubuch, junior RHP, Sunset – Centralia CC
Aiden Rice, senior INF, Central Catholic – University of Portland
Josh Riddle, senior RHP, Santiam Christian – George Fox University
Cody Roletto, senior C, Ida B. Wells – Ohlone College
Brett Ronson, senior OF/1B, West Linn – Mt. Hood CC
Kainoa Santiago, senior OF, Jesuit – Gonzaga University
Grady Saunders, junior RHP/Utility, Thurston – Oregon State
Noah Scharer, senior OF, South Salem – Linn-Benton CC
Kruz Schoolcraft, senior (reclassified) LHP/1B, Sunset -- Tennessee
Luke Schoeffler, senior RHP/OF, Crescent Valley – Linfield University
Avery Schwartz, senior RHP, The Dalles / Dufur – Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho)
Teagan Scott, junior C, South Salem – Oregon State
Dylan Sheaffer, senior LHP/1B, Barlow – Clackamas CC
Brayden Sievertsen, senior RHP/UTIL, Sandy -- Centralia CC
Landon Sigler, senior INF, Mountainside – Warner Pacific University
Johnathin Silvis, senior C, Sandy -- Clackamas CC
Will Slater, senior RHP/1B, Sunset – Eastern Oregon
Kobe Sparks, senior SS/RHP, Sandy – Mt. Hood CC
Mikey Terry, senior C/INF, Crescent Valley – Clarke University
Alex Via, senior RHP, Summit -- University of Portland
Danny Wideman, senior SS/OF, West Linn – University of Oregon
Mark Wiepert, senior C/3B, Wilsonville -- Oregon State
Fisher Winchester, senior RHP/3B, Sandy -- Lower Columbia CC
Owen Zerr, senior OF, Sprague – Centralia CC
Teague Zimmer, senior RHP/1B, Ida B. Wells – Napa Valley College
Email [email protected] to make corrections or add to this list.
johnt@osaa.org
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