The 2025 baseball season was the fourth in a series of eventful springs filled with record-breaking efforts, spine-tingling outcomes, thrilling state championship finals and massive numbers moving on to play college or pro ball.
I have a hunch that we will see more of the same in 2026!
Next week, we will begin our pre-season tour of the state’s baseball programs. Today, let’s take a look back at how the 2025 season ended.
2A/1A – Umpqua Valley Christian repeats!
When the 2025 state baseball playoffs began, three of the five reigning champions were looking to go more than back-to-back. 6A West Linn was seeking its fourth straight title, while Thurston (5A) and Scappoose (4A) were in the hunt for three straight crowns.
None made it past the semifinals.
Warrenton, the 2024 3A champions, also was ousted in the semis, leaving only Umpqua Valley Christian, the 2024 2A/1A champs, with the chance to repeat.
And repeat the Monarchs did!
In a matchup with vaunted Kennedy, the 2022 and 2023 state champions; UVC rode a complete-game four-hitter from Ty Hellenthal to win, 2-1. The game was tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth when freshman Hunter Powell pinch hit and singled with two out to drive home Caleb York, who’d led off the frame with a double.
"Winning back-to-back titles is amazing,” said UVC head coach Dave York at the time. “It's incredibly hard to do and not many schools have done it and we're grateful to be one of the teams that has done it. This is a really young and inexperienced group, but they did everything I asked them to do.”
2A/1A Post-Covid state champions
2025: Umpqua Valley Christian
2024: Umpqua Valley Christian
2023: Kennedy
2022: Kennedy
3A – Blanchet Catholic goes wild to win first title
Tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh with a young Cascade Christian team, top-seeded Blanchet Catholic created a little two-out magic to claim its first-ever state title in its first year returning to 3A. The senior-laden Cavaliers got hits from Dylan Cuff and Tyson Smith to put runners on the corners for senior Carson McNally, the starting pitcher. McNally did not get the opportunity to drive home the winning run, because the first pitch to him was wild and went to the backstop, allowing pinch runner Josh Grossman to score the historic winning run,
"I'm so proud of these guys,” said first-year head coach Jason Black. “They're all great athletes who never give up and they always try their hardest, which is the greatest aspect about the team. They work hard in practice all year and they got the job done to help us win the championship."
3A Post-Covid state champions
2025: Blanchet Catholic
2024: Warrenton
2023: Banks
2022: South Umpqua
4A – Pendleton finally dons the veil
Six times before last year, Pendleton had appeared in state baseball championship games only to fall short. On the first Saturday in June of 2025, the Bucks, playing in a co-op with Nixyaawii, were bridesmaids no longer. Justin Speer’s team took a 7-0 lead after 1.5 innings and stormed to a 14-3 six-inning mercy-rule win over top-seeded Marist Catholic.
Pendleton was seeded seventh to start the state tournament but rode hot bats all the way to the title, scoring eight or more runs in every game. The Bucks saved their best for last, plating 14 runs on 16 hits, led by Mason Strong, who had two hits and drove home four; and Colin Harrington, who scored three runs on three hits while driving in two.
“We’ve been really confident in our team all year and our offense,” said second-year head coach Justin Speer. “We never once looked at ourselves as underdogs. We got rolling, got hot, and it was fun to be a part of.”
4A Post-Covid state champions
2025: Pendleton / Nixyaawii
2024: Scappoose
2023: Scappoose
2022: La Grande
5A – Summit small ball nets big win
Summit defeated Canby, 5-1, for the 5A title, its first since 2016. The Storm executed a fundamental approach that included pitching to contact, playing solid defense and getting ‘em on, getting ‘em over and getting ‘em in. The win marked No. 100 all-time, across every sport, for the Bend school in state championship finals.
“Get ‘em on, get ‘em over, get ‘em in…that was our game plan,” said Summit head coach Aaron Boehm. “We wanted to win every inning. That was our approach today and the kids executed it,” Boehm said. “I’m very proud of that. This is not the kind of team, especially in this ballpark, where you’re going to hit a lot of long balls. When you get a little momentum, you put more pressure on the other team. That was all part of our game plan.”
The game was tied at 1-1 through three innings before Summit took the lead for good with two runs in the top of the fourth. The Storm’s only hit in the frame was a bunt single from Charlie Wiscovich, but they took advantage of three walks and a hit by pitch to go ahead for good. Jackson Parker had three hits and an RBI to lead the offensive attack.
5A Post-Covid state champions
2025: Summit
2024: Thurston
2023: Thurston
2022: Crescent Valley
6A – Sunset rises to the top
One year after losing to West Linn in the 6A final, Sunset won its first title in 31 years, defeating Grant, 6-5, courtesy of a five-run fifth, which turned around a 2-1 deficit.
Sunset, which entered the playoffs as the eleventh seed, had four hits in the decisive fifth inning, including a two-run double from senior transfer Gabe Coltman. Parker Raubuch pitched well to get the win for the Apollos and Kruz Schoolcraft blanked Grant in the seventh to earn the save.
The title was the first for head coach John Barnes in his 32-year coaching career.
“It’s been a long journey,” Barnes said. “I put my heart and soul into the game and so did the players and coaches. The way we did it is so special, with a target on our back every game. We played the toughest schedule we’ve ever played in high school baseball, and it was the difference for us.”
6A Post-Covid state champions
2025: Sunset
2024: West Linn
2023: West Linn
2022: West Linn
Returning All-State selections
Listed below are the 2025 All-State picks returning to play OSAA baseball this spring.
6A
First team
Starting Pitcher
Trenton Hertzog, Tualatin, senior
Relief Pitcher
Caden Klouda, West Linn, senior
Catcher
Teagan Scott, South Salem, senior
1B
Cam Hyder, McMinnville, senior
Infield
Paxton Burke, Roseburg, senior
Sawyer Nelson, South Salem, senior
Second team
Starting Pitchers
Sam Smith, Central Catholic, sophomore
Cam Thomas, Sheldon, junior
August Ware, Glencoe, senior
Catcher
Nolan Foglio, Clackamas, senior
Infield
Landon Brown, Sherwood, senior
Cal Robbins, Roseburg, junior
Jake Rolling, Jesuit, senior
Outfield
Caden Klouda, West Linn, senior
Jonah Lam, Clackamas, junior
Utility/DH
Elliot Raiton, Grant, senior
Honorable mention
Pitchers
Harrison Buckingham, South Salem, junior
Arlo Copony, Cleveland, senior
Ben Foglio, Clackamas, junior
Alex Lopez, Sherwood, senior
Jinki Tomita, Grant, senior
Catcher
Ramsey Prentice, Ida B. Wells, junior
1B
Kevin Carreri, Forest Grove, junior
Infield
Hank Curdy, West Linn, senior
Keegan Painter, South Medford, senior
Ty Sconfienza, Reynolds, senior
Outfield
Chase Austin, Beaverton, junior
Andrew Ha, Lakeridge, senior
Aaron Rolfe, McMinnville, senior
5A
Player of the Year
Grady Saunders, Thurston, 12
First Team
Catchers
Joe Mendazona, Central, 11
Aiden Hibler, North Eugene, 11
Infield
JT Girod, Central, 11
Brock Johnson, 12, Thurston
Outfield
Jackson Parker, Summit, 12
Ryden Nakamura, Ridgeview 12
Pitchers
Jack Brauckmiller, Canby, 11
Declan O’Brien, La Salle Prep, 12
Utility
Hunter Rivers, Dallas, 12
DH
Alex Johnson, Crater 12
Second Team
Catcher
Cole Angel, South Albany, 12
Infield
Ben Weiss, Corvallis, 11
Outfield
Davin Snyder, Hood River Valley, 11
Duncan Roudabush, North Eugene, 11
Pitchers
Mason Snopl, Crater,12
Andrew Street, Corvallis, 12
Michael Bushelman, North Eugene, 12
Utility
DH
Tommy Hess, Dallas, 11
Honorable Mention
Catcher
Kingston McAdam, Hood River Valley, 12
1B
James Collier, Silverton, 11
Brody Whitchomb, Caldera, 12
Infield
Caleb Cornett, Crater, 11
Morgan Austin, Crater, 12
Braden Nugent, Eagle Point, 12
Outfield
Joe Salvione, Putnam, 11
Jace Litten, Churchill, 12
Logan Trivette, Ashland, 12
Pitchers
Finn Chambers, Ridgeview, 11
Marcio Silva, Bend, 12
Jackson Barba, Central, 11
Jacob Fifehaus, West Albany, 12
Utility
Ryder Carpenter, Mountain View, 11
AJ Garcia, Hillsboro, 12
4A
First Team
Catcher
Jacoby Tacchini, Henley, 10
1B
Conner Clift, Junction City, 12
Infield
Colin Fiero, Newport, 11
Conner Shively, Henley, 12
Pitchers
Caleb Babcock, Philomath, 12
Kyler Dickerson, Molalla, 12
Gianni Lombardi, Marist Catholic, 12
Second Team
Catcher
Ryder Mcllmoil, La Grande. 12
Infield
Jakoby Goss, Tillamook, 12
Joey Gramlich, Astoria, 12
Outfield
Jacob Hernandez, Philomath, 11
Pitchers
Ryder Hockema, Newport, 12
Corbin Hamilton, Henley, 11
Jake McClaughry, Baker / Powder Valley, 12
Utility
Kaden Shafer, Junction City, 12
Honorable Mention
Catcher
Vance Nelson, Pendleton / Nixyaawii, 12
1B
Christian Rund, St. Helens, 10
Infield
Rocco DeLarosa, Philomath, 12
Sawyer Scales, St. Helens, 11
Outfield
Ryan Douglas, Henley, 12
Colton Connally, Stayton, 12
Josh Sullivan, North Bend, 11
Dean Fenley, La Grande, 12
Utility
Landon Hood, La Grande, 12
3A
Pitcher of the Year - Zach Hankins, Senior, Taft
First Team
P - Zach Hankins, Senior, Taft
P - Jack Wright, Senior, Burns / Crane
C - Grady Sickler, Junior, Cascade Christian
C - Davey Taylor, Senior, La Pine
OF - Dylan Standley, Senior, Glide
Utility - Matthew Jenkins, Senior, Creswell
Second Team
P - Kolin Tacchini, Senior, Lakeview
P - Cal Johnson, Sophomore, Vale
C - Dallen Duncan, Junior, McLaughlin
IF - Braxton Hamilton, Junior, South Umpqua
IF - Gavin Massingill, Junior, Horizon Christian (Tualatin)
IF - Adrian Camarena, Senior, McLoughlin
IF - Bryson Walker, Junior, Cascade Christian
Utility - Trace Esterbrook, Junior, South Umpqua
Third Team
C - Jacob Mann, Senior, Siuslaw
IF - Christian Baird, Senior, Harrisburg
OF - Maddox Hartley, Junior, Vale
OF - Wyatt Jackson, Junior, Banks
OF - Tommy Rodriguez, Senior, Vale
OF - David Garcia, Senior, Umatilla
Utility - Nolan Munoz, Senior, North Valley
Honorable Mention
P - Logan Schwerdt, Senior, South Umpqua
P - Lane Gilbert, Senior, Banks
C - Chess Lewer, Junior, Santiam Christian
C - Jace Owens, Senior, Sisters
IF - Nate Kagen, Senior, Catlin Gabel (playing in 2026 for Grant)
IF - Hunter Hedlund, Senior, Santiam Christian
OF - Hayden Taylor, Senior, North Valley
DH - Russo Wrightman, Senior, La Pine
2A/1A
First Team
Catcher
Owen Roberts, 12, Monroe / Alsea
1B
Infield
Henry Beyer, 12, Kennedy
Outfield
Lucas Andreasen, 12, Clatskanie
Caleb York, 11, Umpqua Valley Christian
Utility
Ryan Shaver, 11, Umpqua Valley Christian
DH
Zack Mollenhour, 12, Clatskanie
Second Team
1B
Max Chrisenbery, 11, Umpqua Valley Christian
Infield
Miles Lute, 12, Crosshill Christian
Teagan Sprague, 11, Umpqua Valley Christian
Kyle Diaz, 12, Lost River
Outfield
Conner Guthrie, 12, Lost River
Colby Rich, 12, Kennedy
Tharin Johnson, 12, Reedsport
Pitchers
Jake Sproul, 12, Myrtle Point / Pacific
Tyson Smith, 12, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
DH
Creo Walker, 11, Kennedy
Third Team
Catcher
Russell Keagan, 12, Illinois Valley
Infield
Bryson Manicke, 12, Reedsport
Aidan Strand, 10, Monroe / Alsea
Outfield
Korben Schumaker, 11, Regis
Ethan Hiebenthal, 11, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
Pitchers
Owen Eaton, 11, Regis
Jesse Sexton, 11, Monroe / Alsea
Utility
Oliver Stephens, 11, Knappa
DH
Asher Strand, 12, Monroe / Alsea
Honorable Mention
Catcher
Nate Gibson, 10, Crosspoint Christian
Infield
Cash Doney, 12 Clatskanie
Jesse Hernandez, 12, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
Brycen Britten, 11, St. Paul
Rook Smith, 12, Regis
Conner Mason, 11, Toledo
Jonah Jayen, 11, Union / Cove
Outfield
Shane Alpin, 12, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
Rowan Vogt, 12, Waldport
Brennan Jones, 11, Bandon
Jon Miller, 12, Oakridge
Pitcher
Zac Hermansen, 11, Lowell (playing in 2026 for Creswell)
Utility
Sawyer Miller, 12, Bandon
DH
Jaxon Roberts, 12, Stanfield / Echo
Returning Stat Leaders
Below please find the statistical leaders from 2025 who are returning to play high school ball in Oregon this coming spring.
The returnees include senior Zack Hankins of Taft, whose 0.09 ERA was the lowest single-season ERA in state history!
Hankins and senior Jake Sproul of Myrtle Point / Pacific recorded massive strikeout totals last season, good enough to place them among the top 10 all-time for a single season. Senior Miles Lute of Crosshill Christian (stolen bases) and senior Sawyer Nelson of South Salem (RBIs) also had historic top 10 seasons.
Returning batting average leaders (with sufficient plate appearances)
.529 – Nate Gibson, sophomore C, Crosspoint Christian
.515 – Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem
.500 – Grady Saunders, senior 3B, Thurston
Returning home run leaders
13 -- Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem
7 – Teagan Scott, senior C, South Salem
7 – Caden Klouda, senior OF, West Linn
6 – Elliott Raiton, senior OF, Grant
5 – Grady Saunders, senior 3B, Thurston
Returning RBI leaders
64 – Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem
43 – Grady Sickler, junior INF, Cascade Christian
39 – Caleb York, junior OF, Umpqua Valley Christian
36 – Jaxon Roberts, senior INF, Stanfield / Echo
36 – Jacoby Tacchini, sophomore C, Henley
36 – Grady Saunders, senior 3B, Thurston
35 – Wyatt Hurley, junior INF, Cascade Christian
Returning solen base leaders
45 – Miles Lute, senior SS, Crosshill Christian
31 – Maddox Law, junior OF, Toledo
31 – Braden Marthaller, junior INF, Toledo
31 – Korben Schumacher, junior OH, Regis
30 – Bennette Atkins, junior 2B, Irrigon
30 – Bryson Walker, junior INF, Cascade Christian
30 – Wyatt Jackson, junior CF, Banks
Returning E.R.A. leaders
0.09 -- Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft (72 innings)
0.69 – Jake Sproul, senior RHP, Myrtle Point / Pacific (81 innings)
0.72 – Jack Brauckmiller, junior RHP, Canby (67.2 innings)
0.80 – Tyson Smith, senior RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian (69.2 innings)
Returning strike out leaders
167 – Jake Sproul, senior RHP, Myrtle Point / Pacific
160 – Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft
130 – Jack Wright, senior LHP, Burns / Crane
124 – Tyson Smith, senior RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
108 – Kollin Tacchini, senior RHP, Lakeview
101 – Austin Ware, senior LHP, Glencoe
100 – Oliver Stevens, junior RHP, Knappa
99 – Kooper Grover, sophomore RHP, Joseph / Enterprise / Wallowa
96 – Grady Saunders, senior RHP, Thurston
93 – Landen Scott, senior RHP, Sisters
90 – Sebastian Storch, senior RHP, Sisters
90 – Trenton Lewis, senior RHP, Lebanon
90 – Kyler Dickerson, senior LHP, Molalla
84 – Ryan Haugen, senior RHP, Heppner / Ione
84 -- Harrison Buckingham, junior RHP, South Salem
80 -- Brock Johnson, senior RHP, Thurston
Returning players with seven-inning no-hitters tossed last year
Grady Saunders, senior RHP, Thurston – fanned 16, 1 HBP in 6-0 win on April 15 over North Eugene
Sebastian Storch, senior RHP, Sisters – fanned 11 over eight innings in 3-2 win over Creswell on May 13
August Ware, Senior LHP at Glencoe – fanned 18 with two walks in a May 12 win over Liberty
Danner Wertz, sophomore RHP, Roseburg – walked just one in 4-0 win over South Medford on April 5
Returning hard throwers (87 mph or higher)
Harrison Buckingham, junior RHP, South Salem
Arlo Copony, senior RHP, Cleveland
Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft
Colin Harrington, senior RHP, Pendleton / Nixyaawii
Slade Hudson, senior RHP, Cascade
Cade King, junior RHP, Clackamas
Grady Saunders, senior RHP, Thurston
Tyson Smith, senior RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
Zeke Thomas, sophomore RHP, Crescent Valley / Kings Valley Charter
August Ware, senior LHP, Glencoe
Graeme Warner-McGee, senior RHP, Lincoln
Jaxom Wetzler, junior LHP, Clackamas
Jack Wright, senior LHP, Burns / Crane
Returning defensive catchers (threw out 15 or more runners on the base paths)
27 – Dane Carpenter, sophomore, Estacada
23 – Davey Taylor, senior, La Pine
20 – Keegan Russell, senior, Illinois Valley
15 – Archer Hawkins, senior, Astoria
15 – Nate Gibson, sophomore, Crosspoint Christian
College-Bound!
It’s not too early to start our list of Oregon high schoolers who plan to continue playing ball at the collegiate level. We currently have 38 on our list, including 16 at the NCAA Div. I level.
The number of total commitments last year was 127. This year’s commitment list will grow throughout the winter and spring.
Chase Austin, junior OF, Beaverton – Oregon State University
PJ Barker, senior 3B, Westview – Whitman College
Kellen Bowman, junior RHP, South Salem – University of Portland
Miles Brown, senior OF, Grant – Lane CC
Harrison Buckingham, junior RHP, South Salem – Oregon State University
Judah Campos, senior RHP/UTIL, Newberg – Lane CC
Arlo Coppony, senior RHP, Cleveland – Lower Columbia CC
Ben Fong, senior LHP, Tualatin – Chemeketa CC
Jauquin Goodlow, senior OF, Grant – Mt. Hood CC
Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft – University of Oregon
Ryan Hemsley, senior SS/RHP, West Linn – University of Portland
Trenton Hertzog, senior C, Tualatin – University of Oregon
Cam Hyder, senior LHP/1B, McMinnville – Lower Columbia CC
Trevor Jacobs, senior INF, Hood River Valley – Oregon Institute of Technology
Brock Johnson, senior SS/RHP, Thurston – Bushnell University
Nate Kagen, senior OF, Grant – Swarthmore College
Chase Kelly, junior LHP, Jesuit – University of Washington
Jack Kiesel, senior C, Nelson – San Diego Mesa College
Caden Klouda, senior RHP/OF, West Linn – Seattle University
Colby Kosderka, senior RHP, Wilsonville – Lewis & Clark College
Ryder Listy, senior C/1B, Jesuit – Feather River CC
Alexander Lopez, senior LHP, Sherwood – Everett CC
Kallin Mattila, senior RHP, Scappoose – Chemeketa CC
Kingston McAdam, senior C, Hood River Valley - Eastern Oregon University
Joe Mendazona, junior C, Central – Texas Christian University
Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem – Loyola Marymount University
Griffin Nichols, senior SS/2B, Jesuit – Pomona-Pitzer
Parker Raubuch, senior RHP, Sunset – Mt. Hood CC
Jake Rolling, senior SS, Jesuit -- Gonzaga University
Grady Saunders, senior RHP/Utility, Thurston – Oregon State University
Teagan Scott, senior C, South Salem – Oregon State University
Calen Simonelic, senior OF, Tualatin -- Bushnell University
Luke Sullivan, senior INF/RHP, Sunset – East Texas Baptist University
Jinki Tomita, senior RHP, Grant – Feather River CC
August Ware, senior LHP, Glencoe – Oregon State University
Jaxon Wetzler, junior LHP, Clackamas – University of Oregon
Grady Wilmot, junior SS, Lincoln – University of Portland
Jace Willett, senior RHP/INF, Century – Shoreline CC
johnt@osaa.org
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