Pendleton's Josie Jenness (14) is congratulated by teammates after homering against South Umpqua. (Photo by Julie Murphy)

Pendleton has won five softball state titles since 2012, but this season the Buckaroos have a chance to do something they have never done before – repeat as state champions.

Behind one of the state's best pitching duos, and a lineup that can strike from top to bottom, Pendleton has the necessary ingredients to make a run at the 4A title.

“It's a goal we set out every year no matter what the team looks like,” coach Tim Cary said. “Realistically, we like to think we're capable of winning the whole thing any given year. If we play our best game, and do it consistently, we feel like we should have an opportunity to win every game.”

The Buckaroos, No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 4A preseason coaches poll, are off to a roaring 5-0 start, clubbing their opponents by a combined score of 85-6. They dominated their four games in the Battle at the Beach in Newport last week, including an 18-2 rout of 3A No. 2 South Umpqua.

Much will rest on the pitching of seniors Reese Furstenberg (first-team all-state in 2024) and Kendall Murphy.

Last year, Furstenberg threw the first 20 games because Murphy was coming off knee surgery, but Furstenberg injured her knee with six games left, and Murphy returned just in time to pitch the the Buckaroos to the state title.

Furstenberg had surgery on her kneecap nine months ago and is playing with a knee brace, throwing limited innings and filling in as the designated hitter. The team's hope is that she will gain strength as the season progresses.

“We're going to have to bring Reese along slowly,” Cary said. “She's not full-speed yet, but she's going to work to get there. Obviously with Reese not being full speed, Kendall's going to have to be our No. 1.”

Murphy has allowed one earned run in 15 innings so far this season, allowing four hits, striking out 26 and walking seven. Furstenberg has tossed six innings, allowed two earned runs, fanned 13 and walked two.

Pendleton graduated only three starters from last season, but they were the top three hitters in the order in first baseman Melanie Boatman, left fielder Madaline Schumacher and center fielder Avery Krigbaum. Schumacher and Krigbaum (15 home runs) were 4A first-team picks and Boatman was second team.

“They were a big three,” Cary said. “We probably won't have the same offensive stats this year as we did last year. Those guys accounted for quite a bit of our offense.”

But the Buckaroos still should pack a punch. Senior catcher Josie Jenness, who didn't strike out last season, moves from No. 6 to the leadoff spot. She is followed by senior second baseman Ella Sams, Furstenberg, Murphy and junior shortstop Avery Quaempts.

Quaempts, second-team all-state last season, is off to a torrid start. She is 9 for 11 with two doubles, one triple, three home runs and 10 RBIs.

“She's feeling it right now,” Cary said. “Hopefully it keeps going. She's a big, strong kid. She puts a lot of time in the batting cage. She's got a good eye for the ball. She swings it hard, has a lot of power.”

Furstenberg also is swinging a big bat, going 9 for 12 with two doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs. Sams is 9 for 15 with two doubles, one home run and 10 RBIs. Seven different players have combined for 11 home runs.

“We might have nine players that can hit it out of the ballpark this year, which is something we've never had before,” Cary said. “But we're probably not going to hit as many home runs this year. We'll have several that are capable of hitting one or two or three.”

In his 20^th season at Pendleton, Cary is 417-120, ranking him No. 10 on the state's all-time wins list.

OC ends Irish streak

No. 4 Oregon City handed No. 1 Sheldon its first loss to an Oregon team since 2023 in the final game of the North Medford Spring Break Tournament last week.

The Pioneers (2-4) defeated the Irish 6-1 on March 25. It ended a 29-game winning streak for Sheldon (5-1), dating back to three consecutive losses to out-of-state teams last season. And it was the Irish's first loss to an Oregon team since falling to South Medford 3-2 in April 2023.

Sheldon's 44-game winning streak against Oregon teams included a 1-0 win over Oregon City in the 2023 state final. Last week's game was the first time the Pioneers have played the Irish since that heartbreaking defeat.

“Although the team knows the history, and it was exciting to get the win, a majority of the team were not part of the program during that state championship loss,” Oregon City coach Mackenzie Washington said. “So we were just happy to end the Medford tournament on a high note, and hopefully turn the corner to what this team can be and achieve this year, as we start to write our own story.”

Sophomore left-handed Piper Berrington pitched a six-hitter in the win. Juniors Allie Oliver and Sophie Funnemark combined for six hits and three doubles. Senior Ellie Joseph had two hits, including a triple.

TigerScots roll

Weston-McEwen, ranked No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 2A/1A preseason coaches poll, improved to 7-1 by winning all three of its games in the Butch Wilson Memorial Tournament last week in Pilot Rock.

Bre Ward pitched a two-hitter with 18 strikeouts and five walks and had two doubles and three RBIs to lead a 5-0 win over No. 9 Oakland on Monday.

The TigerScots made quick work of 3A No. 8 Enterprise on Tuesday, winning 15-0 in three innings. Kylie Kramer and Ava Sams each had two-run doubles and Ward pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and fanning seven.

Lily Langford and Allison Cornellius drove in three runs each as Weston-McEwen dropped Elkton 19-1 on Tuesday.

The TigerScots, state runners-up to Grant Union last year, have lost only to DeSales (Wash.), falling 9-5 on March 22.

La Grande moves to 8-0

No. 6 La Grande, Pendleton's rival in the 4A Greater Oregon League, has scored 94 runs in an 8-0 start.

The Tigers picked up three wins last week, beating visiting Vale 10-1 on Wednesday and defeating Gladstone 11-1 and 6-2 on the road Friday.

Marti Anderson had a double, home run and four RBIs in the win over Vale. Anderson belted a grand slam in the first game at Gladstone in support of Carlee Strand, who tossed a two-hitter. Strand homered and Paige Allen hit a two-run double in the second game at Gladstone.