Brayden Mix threw a shut out at Sunset on Tuesday to drop the Apopllos from the unbeaten ranks
Brayden Mix threw a shut out at Sunset on Tuesday to drop the Apopllos from the unbeaten ranks

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 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

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

0.35Bryson 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 johnt@osaa.org to make corrections or add to this list.