At least every other week during the spring season, we’ll talk some Oregon high school baseball. This is the place!
Exciting Tuesday in 6A
When Monday’s OSAAtoday coaches polls came out on Monday, this is what 6A looked like:
1. Sunset
2. Sprague
3. West Linn
4. South Salem
5. Jesuit
6. Lake Oswego
7. Ida B. Wells
8. Tualatin
9. Sandy
10. Barlow
Now check out the three-game series’ this week, starting with Tuesday’s openers:
No. 1 Sunset v. No. 5 Jesuit
No. 2 Sprague v. No. 4 South Salem
No. 3 West Linn v. No. 6 Lake Oswego
No. 9 Sandy v. No. 10 Barlow
Though I do not know with absolute certainty, I feel fairly comfortable asserting that this is the first time ever that four three-game series’ will be played in one week involving 80 percent of the 6A top 10. The outcomes could decide the teams that prevail in the Metro, Central Valley, Three Rivers and Mt. Hood, as the teams all sit first or second in their league races.
The first salvos were fired yesterday. Here’s what happened:
No. 1 Sunset 3, No. 5 Jesuit 2: Junior LHP Kruz Schoolcraft homered leading off the game and threw a complete-game five-hitter, striking out 10, in Sunset’s win. Jesuit took the lead in the bottom of the fourth thanks to two unearned runs, but Sunset (16-0 and the only unbeaten team in the state) answered with two of its own in the fifth, the go-ahead run scoring on a bases-loaded walk to Cole Sauter. Jesuit had chances in both the sixth and seventh innings, but a failed squeeze with runners on the corners and one out in the sixth and a line drive 5-3 double play to end in the game in the seventh ended threats.
No. 4 South Salem 6, No. 2 Sprague 4: South Salem twice rallied from behind to hand Sprague (15-3) its third straight loss. The Saxons’ win spoiled a huge game for Sprague catcher Boyd Messman, who hit two home runs and was robbed of a third. Messman got the scoring started with a two-run shot in the bottom of the first, but South Salem scored three in the top of the second to take the lead, aided by RBI singles from Josh Feik and Noah Scharer. The score remained 3-2 South Salem through three innings, but only because Scharer reached over the center field fence to deny Messman a three-run homer. Sprague tied the score in the bottom of the fourth, on Henry Mhoon’s RBI single; and took the lead in the fifth on Messman’s solo shot to left. Down a run, it was South Salem’s turn to answer. With the bases loaded and one out, Gavin Price lined a triple to the fence in left to clear the bases and give the Saxons the lead for good. Kevin Semm worked the final four innings for the win in relief.
No. 3 West Linn 8, No. 6 Lake Oswego 2: West Linn scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break open a close game. Gabe Howard went the distance on the mound for the Lions, allowing just three hits. One of those hits was a home run by Karsten Krebs in the first, which staked the Lakers to a 2-0 lead. Elliott Wear was masterful for LO, as he set down the first 10 batters for West Linn before a Mitch Rowe double and Danny Wideman two-out single in the fourth plated the Lions’ first run. What had been a tense game turned into a rout when West Linn had four straight hits and sent 11 total to the plate in the bottom of the sixth.
No. 9 Sandy 1, No. 10 Barlow 0: A classic pitcher’s duel between Sandy RHP Matt Kosderka and Barlow RHP River Hamilton was determined in the first when two Barlow errors allowed Sandy to score its only run. Kosderka was masterful, allowing only two hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out nine. Hamilton also went seven full, yielding just one hit and two walks while fanning 12. “Outside of Kosderka, he’s the best pitcher I’ve seen from Oregon this year,” said Sandy head coach Eric Fogle.
The games continue Wednesday and Friday for all but Sandy/Barlow, which are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
Grand theft
Toledo is 8-5 on the season after Monday’s 12-2 win over Gold Beach. The Boomers, who only won seven times last year, are thriving on the base paths, with 173 steals through the team’s first 13 games. All nine regulars have stolen 10 or more, with freshman Braden Marthaller currently leading the state with 31.
Toledo is averaging an astounding 13 steals per game. With seven regular-season games remaining, the Oregon state record of 217 set by St. Mary’s of Medford in 2013 is well within reach. The Boomers could, if they get to 277 or more, break into the top 12 nationally all-time according to NFHS records.
Toledo is having success, and the players are re-discovering their love of the sport, despite a very young roster that includes only one senior and five freshmen.
News and notes
Klamath Union / Crosspoint Christian ended an 18-game losing streak on the field to Mazama with a 16-8 and 13-11 doubleheader sweep on Saturday, the first wins on the field for the Pelicans since 2016 and the first sweep over the Vikings in a dozen years.
***
Sophomore right Declan O’Brien of La Salle Prep shut out Wilsonville on Friday in the rubber match of the series between the Northwest Oregon Conference rivals. O’Brien allowed just one walk and yielded only one infield hit. O’Brien is now 3-0 on the year with a 1.40 ERA.
***
Central Catholic took two of three from Sandy last week, including 1-0 in the opener on April 16. In that game. Spencer Marron threw 8.1 innings and struck out 10. Langston Kaptur had the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 10th. Two days later, Cameron Ames twirled a gem of his own for the Rams in a 4-1 win. The senior RHP tossed a complete-game four hitter, with 7 Ks, in the 4-1 win.
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 johnt@osaa.org, 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
6 -- Reid Linkmeyer, junior SS, Liberty
6 -- Cole Katayama-Stall, senior INF, Westview
6 – Mark Carpenter, junior SS, Henley
5 – Drew Bartels, junior SS, Blanchet Catholic
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.
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
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
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.
31 – Braden Marthaller, freshman 1B, Toledo
30 – Riley Lantis, senior C, Riverside
28 – Noah Koenig, senior C, Regis
26 -- Mason Koker, junior 3B, Toledo
26 – Micah Jayne, junior C, Union / Cove
25 – Caden George, senior SS, Heppner / Ione
24 – Grant Sumner, sophomore 1B, Horizon Christian, Tualatin
23 -- Maddox Law, freshman OF, Toledo
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 60 or more batters this season.
94 -- Zack Hankins, sophomore LHP, Taft
88 -- Kruz Schoolcraft, junior LHP, Sunset
79 – Bryson Nygren, junior RHP, Regis
74 – Tyson Smith, sophomore RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
71 -- Braden Marthaller, freshman RHP, Toledo
67 -- Matt Kosderka, senior RHP, Sandy
68 – Jack Wright, sophomore LHP, Burns / Crane
65 – Marcos Ulloa-Ford, senior RHP, Mazama
60 – Jack Matthew, junior LHP, Hidden Valley
60 -- Grady Saunders, sophomore RHP, Thurston
60 -- Sam Shaver, senior LHP, The Dalles
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 INF, 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.
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
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.
.676 -- Teagan Scott, sophomore C, South Salem
.542 – Will Olson, junior SS, Estacada
.540 – Carson McNally, junior 1B, Blanchet Catholic
.509 – Dylan Cuff, junior C, Blanchet Catholic
.507 -- Kaiden Roberts, senior 1B/INF, Harrisburg
.500 -- Drew Bartels, junior SS, Blanchet Catholic
25 or more RBIs
Below we recognize those Oregon hitters with 25 or more runs driven in this season.
35 – Kaiden Roberts, senior 1B/INF, Harrisburg
34 – Boyd Messman, junior C, Sprague
31 -- Gavin Price, junior OF, South Salem
30 – Drew Bartels, junior SS, Blanchet Catholic
29 – Mark Carpenter, junior SS, Henley
28 – Dylan Cuff, junior C, Blanchet Catholic
25 – Jack Knips, senior 1B, Cascade Christian
25 – Grady Sickler, freshman C, Cascade Christian
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.
0.00 -- Kruz Schoolcraft, junior LHP, Sunset (41.1 innings)
0.40 – Bryson Nygren, junior RHP, Regis (34.2 innings)
0.46 -- Matt Kosderka, senior RHP, Sandy (46 innings)
0.86 – Kyle Pisano, senior RHP, Clackamas (24.1 innings)
0.88 -- Jack Wright, sophomore LHP, Burns / Crane (31.2 innings)
0.91 -- Quin Dufort, senior LHP, Ida B. Wells (30.2 innings)
1.00 -- Carter Nelson, senior RHP, South Salem (28 innings)
Catcher pick offs
In this space, we list those catchers who have, at least seven times this year, cut down would-be base stealers at second or third, or back picked a runner at any of the infield bases.
15 – Christian Retherford, senior, Toledo
15 – Caiden Gould, senior, North Eugene
11 -- Jeremiah Robbins, senior, North Medford
10 – Johnithin Silvis, junior, Sandy
9 – Ty Sheldon, senior, Liberty
9 – Walker Hilton, senior, Newberg
9 – Tyson McGrorty, junior, Warrenton
8 – Cam Hammer, junior, Ida B. Wells
8 – Jake Kotansky, junior, Lakeridge
8 – Brayton Massingill, senior, Horizon Christian, Tualatin
7 -- Tanner Crandall, senior, Country Christian
7 – Braden Corgain, junior, Thurston
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
3 – Gavin Price, junior, South Salem
3 – Parker Sellner, sophomore, Newberg
3 – Odin Wilson, junior, Warrenton
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 84 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
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
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
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
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 johnt@osaa.org to make corrections or add to this list.
johnt@osaa.org
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