Sports Zone

HSSZ: Weekly Previews

The Main Event – Wally Ciochetti Invitational at CGHS Track & Field

The Basics: Creswell and Cottage Grove compete at Cottage Grove High School, Friday, 2 p.m. … 1375 S. River Rd. … No charge for admission.
What2Know: The Lions boys have one of the best teams in Class 4A, led by seniors Brennen Murphy, a star in the 200m and 400m, and Jaden Owens, a 1500m runner. Creswell is led by senior hurdler Jack Nguyen and thrower Samairah Quinones.

Baseball

Cottage Grove Lions: 7-11, ranked #27
Leading off: The Lions head to No. 3 Marist Catholic for a doubleheader on Friday. In Class 4A, the No. 24-ranked team is the final play-in team. Cottage Grove sits just outside that bubble, but a win against a top-3 team would surely boost the Lions inside the play-in bubble.

Creswell Bulldogs: 3-14, ranked #31
Leading off: Creswell hosts Elmira (4-17) in a doubleheader on Friday. Elmira and Creswell are two of the bottom teams in the Mountain Valley Conference, so the Bulldogs should look to grab a game or two in the series. Juniors Evan Jenkins and Coby Contreras will likey contribute on the mound for head coach Chris Whitmore

Pleasant Hill Billies: 12-9, ranked #14
Leading off: The Billies have an important series this week as they face off against No. 13 Siuslaw. The top-three teams in the MVC automatically make the playoffs, and Siuslaw and Pleasant Hill currently sit in third and fourth, respectively. Winning the series against Siuslaw would boost the Billies into the top-three in the league, with a chance to clinch a postseason berth next week against Creswell.

Springfield Millers: 4-13, ranked #30
Leading off: Springfield hosts No. 17 Eagle Point on Saturday at Hamlin. While the Millers are essentially eliminated from postseason contention, head coach Jim Fryback will want the team to build some momentum at the end of the season as Gabriel Laird and Noah Roemen are the only seniors on the young team.

Thurston Colts: 18-3, ranked #2
Leading off: The Colts are the hottest team in Class 5A right now, boasting a 17-game winstreak that started on March 28. Thurston heads to No. 15 Crater for a Friday doubleheader. With six league games remaining and a five-game lead on the second-place team, Thurston needs to win one more game to clinch its fifth-straight Midwestern League crown.

Softball

Cottage Grove Lions: 8-10, ranked #17
Leading off: The Lions head to No. 13 Marist Catholic on Friday in an important Sky-Em matchup for both teams. While neither team looks capable ranking-wise of grabbing an automatic playoff spot, both teams still have a great chance to grab a home play-in game. Cottage Grove will need continued excellence from sophomore pitcher Emily Pacheco if it wants to pull off the upset in Eugene.

Creswell Bulldogs: 14-5, ranked #12
Leading off: Head coach Scott Worsham has his team on a roll, winning 8 league games in a row dating back to April 10. The Bulldogs look to continue that streak as they host Elmira in a Friday doubleheader. Hope Ukolov continues an excellent campaign on the mound, while Lauren Bailey and Ashelyn Sharkey have both played well recently on offense.

Pleasant Hill Billies: 15-4, ranked #6
Leading off: The Billies are locked in a battle for the Mountain Valley Conference title with rival Creswell. Pleasant Hill has the easier schedule this week as they head to Siuslaw (2-17) on Friday. Shyanne Fenley looks to build off two grand slams last week, while juniors Karley Bloxham and Bella Black continue their one-two punch on the mound.

Springfield Millers: 1-14, ranked #31
Leading off: Springfield hosts No. 14 Eagle Point on Saturday, the No. 2 team in the Midwestern League. The Millers are still searching for their second win of the season, although Jaysa Ellery and Lily Plumb are the only seniors, meaning many of the key contributors this season should be back next year.

Thurston Colts: 12-7, ranked #12
Leading off: Thurston has maybe the most important series of any area team this week as they face off against No. 8 Crater, who sits two games above the Colts in the Midwestern League. While Thurston’s almost a lock for a playoff spot, a series win against Crater could put the Colts in a spot to grab their first MWL title since dropping back down to Class 5A in 2017.

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