Oregon high school baseball fan? You’ve come to the right place!
Rally Valley!
Midway between Grants Pass and Crescent City, California sits Cave Junction, a timber town of a couple of thousand people surrounded by forest and with a few caves thrown in for good measure. On its face, this doesn’t look like a baseball town, unless, of course, the forest was comprised of ash trees.
And yet, Cave Junction is home to Illinois Valley High School. The mighty Cougars were riding an eight-game winning streak through Monday after dropping their season opener to Brookings-Harbor.
There’s a lot of excitement around the program right now, said head coach Jesse Dugas.
That’s especially so after Illinois Valley opened up play in April with back-to-back walk off one-run victories over Oakridge and North Douglas / Elkton.
“It’s been a great early test for our group,” Dugas observed. “More than anything, it’s been fun to watch these guys compete. There’s a toughness and belief in this team that’s shown up in big moments already.”
Keegan Russell and Mason Richardson, both hitting over .500; and state stolen base maven Jeremiah Izzo have led the way offensively for the Cougars. Richardson and Izzo have been consistent mound anchors as well.
Illinois Valley went 15-3 to place second in 2A/1A Special District 6 a year ago. The hot start to 2026 has the Cougars thinking about taking the District crown this year.
Greaty Saunders!
Thurston senior Grady Saunders has had a magical career. As a freshman, he hit a walk off inside-the-park homer in extra innings to give the Colts the 5A state title. As a sophomore, the Oregon State commit was 5A Pitcher of the Year and, last year as a junior, he was 5A co-Player of the Year.
On Saturday, Saunders added another everlasting high school memory in Thurston’s doubleheader sweep of Eugene rival Churchill.
In the first game, a 9-3 Thurston win, Saunders launched two home runs, including a grand slam; and drove in seven.
In the second game, which Thurston also won, 20-1, Saunders delivered a single, double and triple and drove in five more. That’s 5-for-8 with four extra base hits and 12 RBIs in two games over a Churchill team that won the series opener, 6-4, five days earlier.
Undefeated
Two weeks ago, there were eight undefeated teams remaining in the OSAA. That number was pared to six last week.
This week it is three.
Newberg became the last 6A team to go down, falling on Monday to McMinnville, 7-5. The Tigers (10-1) have two more tests against the league favorites today and Friday, but the close loss affirmed, at least in this writer’s mind, that Andrew Reichenbach’s nine are much more contender than pretender in 2026.
Junction City’s first loss of the season, last Wednesday, was surprising, not because of the opponent, but because of how it came to pass. JC (now 10-1) led Scappoose, the 2023 and 2024 4A state champions; 5-0 in the fourth inning but was shut out the rest of the way in the 6-5 defeat. Scappoose sophomore LHP Carter Egan threw 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to tame the Tigers’ bats.
On Thursday, Kennedy took its 9-0 record to North Marion / Gervais, a school two classifications larger, and lost, 5-2. In most years, the result would not have been surprising. North Marion / Gervais is a perennial contender coached by legendary Randy Brack. The Huskies, however, came into the game with a 1-6 record and hadn’t been competitive in their losses. Baseball, however, can produce magical moments and the day belonged to North Marion / Gervais, as Marcos Marquez tossed a complete game, with seven strikeouts, for the win.
That leaves us with three yet to taste defeat: Taft (13-0) in 3A; and Crosshill Christian and Lowell, both 10-0, in 2A/1A.
Taft’s four wins since the last Notebook include a 4-2 decision over Warrenton, the 2024 3A state champions, on Saturday. Zack Hankins threw his second complete-game no-hitter of the season in that one for the Tigers. Taft could still be undefeated two weeks from today when it begins a two-game set with Blanchet Catholic, the reigning 3A state titlists.
Crosshill Christian won its opener by a single run over Gaston, but has since rolled over its opponents, including a 14-0 blanking of Mohawk on Monday. The Eagles will face their challenges down the road – three against Regis starting on April 28 and three with Monroe / Alsea in mid-May – but it would be unsurprising for Benjamin Northrop’s team to remain unblemished until then.
Lowell had a nine-day layoff before taking on Oakland on Monday. The homestanding Oakers, who came into the game 1-7 on the season, led early and competed throughout before losing to the Devils, 4-3. Adam Davis won the game on the mound for Lowell and Carter Harris and Brenden Myers had two hits apiece. Lowell has a game with Camas Valley on Friday, then faces a stiff test on Monday when two-time defending 2A/1A champion Umpqua Valley Christian comes to town.
Tuesday in the Association
Weather reared its head across the state yesterday. There were some postponements, but other teams managed to get their games in.
Notably, Summit knocked off Ridgeview, 8-1, to open Intermountain League play; and Crater edged Henley, 6-5, in non-league action.
Summit played “little ball” in its win. The Storm, who won the 5A state title last spring; stole seven bases and squeezed three runs home in support of junior Andrew Guthrie, who went the distance on the mound, fanning 13.
Crater, the No. 2 team in 5A, rallied past Henley, the No. 1 team in 4A, with two runs in the top of the seventh. Andrew Sweet, pinch hitting, doubled to left center with the bases juiced to drive home the tying and winning runs. Sophomore Tyler Tracy, making his varsity debut, pitched 1.1 innings of relief to get the win.
Elsewhere, West Linn edged Oregon City, 3-1, North Eugene surprised Thurston, 7-3, and Glendale stunned host Illinois Valley, 4-2.
Why is No. 1 (Wise No. 1?)?
On Monday, OSAAtoday released its second in-season Coaches Polls. Let’s take a look at the teams currently heading the five classifications and assess whether the coaches have it right.
6A – Clackamas
The Cavaliers returned their entire team from a year ago, are 9-2 overall and undefeated against Oregon competition, including a 7-6 win over 6A No. 3 Tualatin, which is 10-2.
That’s a strong claim. Does any team have a stronger claim?
Beaverton, with Chase Austin dealing; is 9-1. The Beavers have a quality win over Lake Oswego. Their only loss came versus a good Barlow team, which is 6-5, by a 3-1 score.
McMinnville just knocked Newberg from the ranks of the unbeaten and is No. 1in the computerized rankings. The Grizzlies are 7-3, with two losses to out-of-state teams. Their lone in-state loss came at the hands of West Linn, the 2022, 2023 and 2024 6A champions, by a score of 14-2.
Verdict?
The coaches are WISE.
5A – Hood River Valley
HRV is 8-3 and owns wins over 2025 5A champion Summit and 2025 4A champion Pendleton / Nixyaawii. The Eagles’ only three losses came during Spring Break to out-of-state teams.
Crater is 11-2, won a tournament in California and, yesterday, defeated 4A No. 1 Henley, 6-5. The Comets have lost to 6A South Medford and, on Monday, absorbed a 10-0 loss to North Eugene in Game 1 of a league doubleheader before winning the second game to take the series.
Verdict?
It’s close but the coaches are WISE.
4A – Henley
The Hornets are 8-2. They have a few good wins, but the two best teams they’ve played, Crater yesterday and Cascade Christian on March 19, have resulted in losses.
Junction City is 10-1, with wins over Cascade Christian, Warrenton and Creswell. JC’s lone loss came last Wednesday by a scant run to Scappoose.
Scappoose is 9-4 overall, 7-2 against Oregon competition. Among the team’s wins are single wins over Junction City and Warrenton and two over Marist Catholic. Scappoose has in-state losses to 6A West Salem and by a single run to Stayton.
Surprising Stayton is 9-1 with that signature win over Scappoose offset by a one-run loss to Molalla in mid-March.
Verdict?
Probably should still be Junction City. Three strong wins, including a dominating effort over Cascade Christian, a team that defeated Henley.
3A – Taft
Taft is 13-0, has outscored opponents 110-25, and owns wins over the likes of Warrenton, Creswell and Sisters. The Tigers may also have the most dominant pitcher in the state regardless of classification in Zack Hankins.
Cascade Christian should not be overlooked, however. The Challengers are 8-1 and have lost only to Junction City while defeating the likes of Henley, Umpqua Valley Christian, Sisters and South Umpqua / Days Creek.
Verdict?
The coaches are WISE.
2A/1A – Kennedy
The coaches voted Kennedy No. 1 over two undefeated teams, despite knowledge that the 9-1 Trojans had suffered a tough loss at North Marion / Gervais. Through 10 games, Kennedy has outscored opponents 120-27 and owns two wins over two-time state champion UVC.
Crosshill Christian is 10-0 and ranked first by the computer. The Eagles are young and their best win came early over Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian.
Lowell also is 10-0 but the Devils have yet to record a signature win.
Verdict?
The coaches are WISE.
News and notes…
Pendleton / Nixyaawii, the 2025 4A state champion, has won five games in a row – outscoring opponents 63-8 during its streak. The Bucks had started the year 2-6 against a tough pre-league schedule that included teams from Washington and Arizona.
“We pride ourselves in playing the most competitive non-league teams we can,” said coach Justin Speer. “We really try and challenge ourselves early. Since we have started playing 4A teams we have been rolling!”
***
Creswell (8-4) has split 1-0 decisions this year, losing to 3A favorite, undefeated Taft on April 4; and beating two-time defending 2A/1A champion Umpqua Valley Christian last Wednesday.
The common denominator for the Bulldogs in those games has been junior LHP Jaxon Pelham. In Wednesday’s win, Pelham went the distance, allowing just two hits while fanning 11. Colden Clark’s single scored Matthew Jenkins in the bottom of the seventh with the game’s only run…
Stats Categories
We continue with our baseball stats categories. The goal is to have 10-15 players per category list. Stats thresholds are adjusted week-by-week for that reason.
Baseball coaches exclusively contributed to the population of these categories.
Baseball coaches who did not contribute, but wish to, may contact John Tawa at johnt@osaa.org 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.
6 – Teagan Scott, senior C, South Salem
4 – Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem
3 – Caleb George, senior INF, Heppner / Ione
3 – Wyatt Moist, senior 3B, Corbett
3 -- Conner Clift, senior 1B, Junction City
It’s a blur
Throwing hard in high school is the easiest way to get outs.
Here, we recognize those Oregon hurlers who have hit 87 mph or higher on the bump.
Harrison Buckingham, junior RHP, South Salem
Michael Buschelman, senior RHP, North Eugene
Arlo Copony, senior RHP, Cleveland
Jacob Fritz, senior RHP, Crescent Valley / Kings Valley Christian
Evan Guadalupe, sophomore RHP, Summit
Andre Guthrie, junior RHP, Summit
Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft
Colin Harrington, senior RHP, Pendleton / Nixyaawii
Slade Hudson, senior RHP, Cascade
Cason Jacobs, junior RHP, Crescent Valley / Kings Valley Christian
Nate Kagen, senior RHP. Grant
Cade King, junior RHP, Clackamas
Will Klein, junior RHP, Westview
Malachi O'Brien, senior RHP, Westview
Blake Patereau, sophomore RHP. Cascade Christian
Jayce Phillipe, junior RHP, North Eugene
Grady Saunders, senior RHP, Thurston
Tyson Smith, senior RHP, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
Zeke Thomas, sophomore RHP, Willamette
Jinki Tomita, senior RHP, Grant
August Ware, senior LHP, Glencoe
Graeme Warner-McGee, senior RHP, Lincoln
Jaxom Wetzler, junior LHP, Clackamas
Jack Wright, senior LHP, Burns / Crane
Speed merchants
In this space, we recognize Oregon baseball players who have stolen 15 or more bases this season.
22 – Jonah Jayne, junior C/SS, Union / Cove
18 – Cole Walters, sophomore SS, Oakridge
17 – Jeremiah Izzo, junior UTIL, Illinois Valley
17 – Avier Quintero, senior UTIL, Woodburn
17 – Hayden Thompson, senior SS, Bandon
16 – Braden Marthaller, junior OF, Toledo
16 – Brodie Butler, senior INF, Willamette
15 – Matthew Contreras, junior OF, Gladstone
15 – Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem
15 – Quentin Jackson, senior SS, Rainier
15 – Jesse Hernandez, senior INF, Country Christian / North Clackamas Christian
Get a whiff of this!
Missing bats is an art.
This list recognizes those pitchers who have fanned 35 or more batters this season.
74 – Tyson Smith, senior RHP, County Christian / North Clackamas Christian
58 – Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft
51 – Carter Griggs, senior RHP, Umatilla
46 – Gunner Bustos, sophomore RHP, The Dalles / Dufur
43 – Braden Marthaller, junior RHP, Toledo
42 – Kooper Grover, sophomore RHP, Joseph / Enterprise / Wallowa
41 -- Riley Tyler, junior RHP, Toledo
39 – Teagan Sprague, junior RHP, Umpqua Valley Christian
39 – Quentin Jackson, senior RHP, Rainier
*38 – Brandon Yee, junior LHP, Valley Catholic
*38 -- Sawyer Miller, senior RHP, Bandon
38 – Dylan DeJong, junior RHP, Crosspoint Christian
37 – Mason Christian, junior RHP, Willamette
37 – Chase Austin, junior LHP, Beaverton
36 – PJ Safford, senior RHP, Klamath Union
36 – Jaxon Pelham, junior LHP, Creswell
36 – Achilles Garcia, senior LHP, Aloha
35 – Landen Pratt, sophomore LHP, Hood River Valley
35 – Logan Law, junior RHP, Hidden Valley
* Indicates a player who meets the threshold but whose stats were not updated since last week
Wait! What?
In this space, we recognize hitters who have put up outrageous stat lines in a single game.
Cooper Cemore, junior SS, Riverside (Boardman) – 3-for-3 with a double and grand slam, four runs scored and six RBIs in 18-3 win over Umatilla on March 31
Braden Marthaller, junior OF, Toledo – 4-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, and five RBIs in 13-4 win over Waldport on March 30
Connor Mason, junior SS, Toledo – 4-for-5 with a double, home run and seven RBIs in 10-0 shutout of Eddyville Charter / Siletz Valley on March 31
Bryce Morris, junior SS, Umatilla – 4-for-6 with two doubles and five RBIs in 18-14 extra-inning win over Sherman on March 17
Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem – 3-for-4 with two HRs and a steal in a 10-0 blanking of Mountain View on April 4
Grady Saunders, senior UTIL, Thurston – 2-for-4 with a three-run dinger, grand slam and seven RBIs in 9-3 win over Churchill in G1 of a double dip on April 11 (Saunders drove in five more runs in G2!)
Teagan Scott, senior C, South Salem – two HRs in opening day 20-0 win over Ida B. Wells on March 17
Jace Willett, senior 1B, Century – 3-for-4 with three doubles, three runs scored and four RBIs on March 25 in 12-4 win over Putnam
No-no!
Below, we recognize pitchers who have thrown seven-inning no-hitters this year.
Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft – 16Ks in 1-0 win over Creswell on April 4
Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft – 13Ks in 4-2 win over Warrenton on April 11
Braden Marthaller, junior RHP, Toledo – 17 Ks in 10-0 shutout of Eddyville Charter / Siletz Valley on March 31
Riley Taylor, junior RHP, Toledo – won 10-0 over Bandon on April 3
.500 or better batting average
Below, we recognize those hitters who, with a minimum of 25 plate appearances, are hitting .500 or better on the season.
.613 – Quentin Jackson, senior SS, Rainier (31 at bats)
.594 – Teagan Scott, senior C, South Salem (45 plate appearances)
.563 – Rowdy Williams, sophomore C, Oakridge (32 at bats)
.556 -- Kegan Russell, senior C, Illinois Valley (27 at bats)
.548 – Caleb George, sophomore INF, Heppner / Ione (31 at bats)
.545 – Miles Lute, senior SS, Crosshill Christian (33 at bats)
.536 -- Lucca Petrone, senior OF/1B, Phoenix (30 at bats)
.536 -- Kyle Kristensen, senior OF, Clackamas (28 at bats)
.525 --- Matthew Contreras, junior OF, Gladstone (40 at bats)
.519 – Mason Richardson, junior SS, Illinois Valley (27 at bats)
.500 – Mason Snell, sophomore OF, Mazama (26 at bats)
15 or more RBIs
Below we recognize those Oregon hitters with 15 or more runs driven in so far this season.
20 – Nathan Driskell, junior INF, Pendleton / Nixyaawii
19 – Miles Lute, senior SS, Crosshill Christian
19 – Bryce Morris, junior SS, Umatilla
19 – Braden Marthaller, junior OF, Toledo
19 – Connor Mason, junior SS, Toledo
18 – Braxton Mattinen, junior C, Rainier
18 – Teagan Scott, senior C, South Salem
17 – Colin Robins, junior SS/C, Willamette
17 – Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem
16 – Callen Ward, sophomore C, Taft
16 – Kye Leenders, junior 1B, Tualatin
15 – Grady Saunders, senior UTIL, Thurston
15 – Owen Hagerman, senior SS, Tualatin
ERA of 0.25
Below we recognize pitchers who have an earned run average of 0.25 or better over 10 or more innings pitched this season.
0.00 – Logan Law, junior RHP, Hidden Valley (16 innings pitched)
0.00 – Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft (25 innings pitched)
0.00 – Lonnie West, sophomore RHP, Taft (13.1 innings pitched)
Catcher pick offs
In this space, we list those catchers who have, at least 5 times this year, cut down would-be base stealers at second or third, or back picked a runner at any of the infield bases.
8 – Dane Carpenter, sophomore, Estacada
8 – Johan Phillips, sophomore, Crosshill Christian
8 – Riley Tyler, junior, Toledo
8 – Matt Wilson, freshman, Heppner / Ione
7 – Rowdy Williams, sophomore, Oakridge
7 – Teagan Scott, senior, South Salem
6 – Ryland Thiessen, junior, Stayton
6 – Linkin Zamudio, junior, Umatilla
5 – Damien Vasquez, senior, Woodburn
5 – Wyatt Metcalf, sophomore, Cascade
5 – Nate Gibson, sophomore, Crosspoint Christian
Outfield assists
In this space, we list those outfielders who have thrown out runners at least two times this year trying to take an extra base.
3 – Miles Boehm, sophomore, Summit
3 – Jasper Spoon, junior, Oakridge
*2 – Isaac Root, sophomore, Crosspoint Christian
* Indicates a player who meets the threshold, but whose stats were not updated since last week
College-Bound!
In this space, we list 73 current high school players who have made a commitment to attend a college or university of their choice and play baseball. Twenty (20) of the commitments are the NCAA Division I universities.
Chase Austin, junior OF, Beaverton – Oregon State University
Elliott Bakke, senior RHP, Lincoln – Lassen College
Pi Barker, senior 3B/OF, Westview – Whitman College
Nathan Bassett, senior C/RHP, Grants Pass – Ohlone College
Cooper Berta, senior OF/RHP, Lakeridge – Linfield University
Kellen Bowman, junior RHP, South Salem – University of Portland
Luke Brady, junior SS, Clackamas – University of Portland
Miles Brown, senior OF, Grant – Lane CC
Harrison Buckingham, junior RHP, South Salem – Oregon State University
Michael Buschelman, senior RHP, North Eugene - Bushnell University
Judah Campos, senior RHP/UTIL, Newberg – Lane CC
Conner Clift, senior 1B/LHP, Junction City – College of the Siskiyous
Arlo Coppony, senior RHP, Cleveland – Lower Columbia CC
Kyler Dickerson, senior LHP, Molalla -- Blue Mountain CC
Ben Foglio, junior LHP, Clackamas – University of Washington
Nolan Foglio, senior C, Clackamas – Lower Columbia CC
Ben Fong, senior LHP, Tualatin – Chemeketa CC
JT Girod, junior INF, Central – University of Oregon
Jauquin Goodlow, senior OF, Grant – Mt. Hood CC
Cal Green, senior SS/RHP, Sandy – Mt. Hood CC
Andrew Ha, senior OF/RHP, Lakeridge – Bushnell University
Zack Hankins, senior LHP, Taft – University of Oregon
Colin Harrington, senior RHP/OF, Pendleton / Nixyaawii – Eastern Oregon University
Chase Hartley, senior OF, Churchill - Feather River CC
Luke Hatton, senior OF/RHP, Sandy – Mt. Hood CC
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
Blake Kansky, senior RHP, South Salem – College of Marin
Chase Kelly, junior LHP, Jesuit – University of Washington
Jack Kiesel, senior C, Nelson – San Diego Mesa College
Cade King, junior RHP, Clackamas – University of Washington
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
Jace Litten, senior INF/RHP, Churchill - Bushnell University
Alexander Lopez, senior LHP, Sherwood – Everett CC
Kallen Mattila, senior RHP, Scappoose – Chemeketa CC
Kingston McAdam, senior C, Hood River Valley - Eastern Oregon University
Jake McClaughry, senior OF/RHP, Baker/Powder Valley – Linfield University
Tug McQuinn, senior SS/RHP, Pendleton / Nixyaawii – Mt. Hood CC
Joe Mendazona, junior C, Central – Texas Christian University
Rylan Metz, senior OF/RHP, Lakeridge – Linfield University
Blake Mikel, senior 1B/RHP, Churchill – Walla Walla CC
Sawyer Nelson, senior SS, South Salem – Loyola Marymount University
Vance Nelson, senior C/OF, Pendleton /Nixyaawii – Umpqua CC
Griffin Nichols, senior SS/2B, Jesuit – Pomona-Pitzer
Maddux Nichols, senior C, Westview – Allan Hancock College
Malachi O'Brien, senior RHP, Westview – Lane CC
Trever Olsen, senior INF, Scappoose – Mt. Hood CC
Erick Pezqueda, senior INF/RHP, Grants Pass – Clackamas CC
Parker Raubuch, senior RHP, Sunset – Mt. Hood CC
Brody Rogers, senior RHP/1B, Westview – Allan Hancock College
Jake Rolling, senior SS, Jesuit -- Gonzaga University
PJ Safford, senior RHP/C, Klamath Union – Oregon Institute of Technology
Grady Saunders, senior RHP/Utility, Thurston – Oregon State University
Dillon Shultz, senior INF, Molalla – Umpqua CC
Ty Sconfienza, senior INF, Reynolds – Mt. Hood CC
Teagan Scott, senior C, South Salem – Oregon State University
Parker Sellner, senior OF/RHP, Newberg – Linfield University
Calen Simonelic, senior OF, Tualatin -- Bushnell University
Nick Sousa, senior RHP, Clackamas – Mt. Hood CC
Luke Sullivan, senior INF/RHP, Sunset – East Texas Baptist University
Caleb Tiede, senior INF, Clackamas – Mt. Hood CC
Jinki Tomita, senior RHP, Grant – Feather River CC
Evan Valenzuela, senior INF, Grants Pass – College of the Siskiyous
August Ware, senior LHP, Glencoe – Oregon State University
Jaxon Wetzler, junior LHP, Clackamas – University of Oregon
Riley Whitwood, senior OF/1B, North Eugene - Lewis and Clark University
Grady Wilmot, junior SS, Lincoln – University of Portland
Jace Willett, senior RHP/INF, Century – Shoreline CC
To report a commitment, email John Tawa at johnt@osaa.org.
johnt@osaa.org
Subscribe
