Editor’s Note: These capsules are a part of The Chronicle’s 2024 Spring Sports Preview package.
COTTAGE GROVE LIONS
School: 1375 S. River Rd.
Head coach: Nathan Rheuban, 2nd year at CGHS, 8-14 overall coaching record
2023: 8-14 overall … 2-10 in league play … 4th-place in Sky-Em League … Missed playoffs
Top returners
■ Micah Spear, Jr., pitcher, catcher, INF. 2023 – .457 batting average, 52.4% on-base, 15 RBIs.
■ Isaiah Cushman, Sr., center field/pitcher. 2023 – .410 BA, 56.1% on-base, 22 runs scored, 15 SBs.
■ Christian Spear, Sr., shortstop/pitcher. 2023 – .373 batting average, 50% on-base, 29 runs scored, 27 SBs.
Team strengths
■ Pitching depth: Seven quality arms who can all throw consistent strikes and can effectively change speeds with off-speed pitches.
■ Defense: Good group of athletes who have experience playing the game.
■ Speed: Top to bottom the guys have above-average or plus speed. Team will be aggressive on the bases.
Top games
■ Marist Catholic (Away April 16, Home May 3)
■ North Bend (Home April 9, Away April 26)
■ Hidden Valley (Away March 28)
2024 SCHEDULE
3/11 vs. Estacada, 4 p.m.
3/13 vs. Creswell, 4 p.m.
3/16 vs. Klamath Union / Crosspoint Chr., 1 and 3 p.m.
3/19 @ Glide, 4 p.m.
3/21 vs. Dayton, 6:30 p.m.
3/22 @ Catlin Gabel, 4:30 p.m.
3/23 @ Oakridge, 11:30 a.m.
3/24 @ Reedsport, 4:30 p.m.
3/28 @ Hidden Valley Tour. vs. Hidden Valley, TBD
3/29 @ Hidden Valley Tour., TBD
3/30 @ Hidden Valley Tour., TBD
3/30 @ Hidden Valley Tour. vs. Phoenix, 2:30 p.m.
4/2 @ Sweet Home, 4:30 p.m.
4/5 @ Marshfield, 3 and 5 p.m.
4/9 vs. North Bend, 5 p.m.
4/12 vs. Junction City / Triangle Lake, 3 and 5 p.m.
4/16 @ Marist Catholic, 5 p.m.
4/18 vs. Siuslaw / Mapleton, 4:30 p.m. (Pending)
4/23 vs. Marshfield, 5 p.m.
4/26 @ North Bend, 3 and 5 p.m.
4/30 @ Junction City / Triangle Lake, 5 p.m.
5/3 vs. Marist Catholic, 3 and 5 p.m. (Senior Night)
CRESWELL BULLDOGS
School: 33390 Niblock Ln.
Head coach: Kevin Feist, 1st year at Creswell, 216-146 overall coaching record (3 state titles at Burns)
2023: 5-17 overall … 5-13 in conference play … 6th in Mountain Valley Conference… Missed playoffs
Top returners
■ Evan Jenkins, Sr., pitcher/1B. 2023 – Honorable Mention all-conference pitcher.
■ Cameron Leonard, Senior, SS/2B. Returning infield starter; will also see time as a pitcher.
■ Coby Contreras, Sr., utility. Returning starter who can pitch, catch, and play infield.
■ Landon Palmer, Sr., 3B/pitcher. Returning starter at 3B who can also pitch.
■ Matthew Jenkins, So., outfielder.
■ Deacon Edwards, Jr., 1B/pitcher. Returner who plays 1B a lot and who will also pitch.
■ Tyler Pratt, Sr., catcher/pitcher. Returning starter at C who can also pitch.
Team strengths
■ Several players returning with varsity experience.
■ Several underclassmen have played a lot together.
■ Players are excited about establishing a successful baseball program at Creswell.
Top games
■ Santiam Christian (Away March 11)
■ Sisters (Home April 9, Away April 12)
■ Pleasant Hill (Away April 16, Home April 19)
2024 SCHEDULE
3/11 @ Santiam Christian, 4:30 p.m.
3/13 @ Cottage Grove, 4 p.m.
3/15 vs. Willamina, 4 p.m.
3/19 @ Siuslaw / Mapleton, 4:30 p.m.
3/22 vs. Siuslaw / Mapleton, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
3/26 @ Glide, 12 p.m.
4/2 @ Harrisburg, 4:30 p.m.
4/5 vs. Harrisburg, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
4/9 vs. Sisters, 4:30 p.m.
4/12 @ Sisters, 3 and 5 p.m.
4/16 @ Pleasant Hill, 4:30 p.m.
4/19 vs. Pleasant Hill, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
4/23 vs. Sutherlin, 4 p.m.
4/26 vs. Scio, 4:30 p.m.
4/30 vs. La Pine, 4:30 p.m.
5/3 @ La Pine, 3 and 5 p.m.
5/7 vs. Elmira, 4:30 p.m. (Senior Night)
5/10 @ Elmira, 3 and 5 p.m.
PLEASANT HILL BILLIES
School: 84455 N. Enterprise Rd.
Head coach: Johnny Bowden … 4th year at Pleasant Hill… 41-28 overall coaching record
2023: 17-11 overall … 12-6 in conference play … 3rd in Mountain Valley Conference… Lost in quarters
Top returners
■ Caden Richardson, Sr., pitcher. 2023 1st-team all-state
■ Hunter Allen, Sr., catcher. 2023 2nd-team all-state
Top games
■ Marist Catholic (Away March 13)
■ Brookings-Harbor (Home Mar. 15)
■ Sisters (Away April 2, Home April 5)
2024 SCHEDULE
3/12 vs. Springfield, 4:30 p.m.
3/13 @ Marist Catholic, 4:30 p.m.
3/15 vs. Brookings-Harbor, 4 p.m.
3/19 vs. Harrisburg, 4:30 p.m.
3/22 @ Harrisburg, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
3/27 @ Challenger Classic vs. Douglas, 12:30 p.m.
3/28 @ Challenger Classic, TBD
3/29 @ Challenger Classic, TBD
4/2 @ Sisters, 4:30 p.m.
4/5 vs. Sisters, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
4/12 vs. Santiam Chr., 4:30 p.m.
4/13 @ North Bend, 12 p.m.
4/16 vs. Creswell, 4:30 p.m.
4/19 @ Creswell, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
4/23 @ La Pine, 4:30 p.m.
4/26 vs. La Pine, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
4/30 vs. Elmira, 4:30 p.m.
5/3 @ Elmira, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
5/7 @ Siuslaw / Mapleton, 4:30 p.m.
5/10 vs. Siuslaw / Mapleton, 2 and 4:30 p.m. (Senior Night)
SPRINGFIELD MILLERS
School: 875 7th St.
Head coach: Alan Embree … 1st year at Springfield … 65-17 overall coaching record (state title at Summit)
2023: 5-18 overall … 2-16 in league play … 7th in Midwestern League … Missed playoffs
Top returners
■ Alex King, Sr., 2B/SS
■ Tim James, Jr., catcher
■ Zack Sherman, Sr., center field
Top games
■ Thurston (Home May 14, Away May 17)
■ Ashland (Home April 30, Away May 4)
2024 SCHEDULE
3/12 @ Pleasant Hill, 4:30 p.m.
3/15 vs. Woodburn, 4 and 6 p.m.
3/20 @ South Albany, 5 p.m.
3/25 @ Springfield Tournament at Hamlin vs. Elmira, 7 p.m.
3/26 @ Springfield Tournament at Hamlin vs. South Eugene, 4 p.m.
3/27 @ Springfield Tournament at Hamlin vs. Roseburg, 10 a.m.
4/2 @ Churchill, 5 p.m.
4/6 vs. Churchill, 1 and 3 p.m.
4/9 @ Crater, 5 p.m.
4/13 vs. Crater, 1 and 3 p.m.
4/16 @ North Eugene, 5 p.m.
4/20 vs. North Eugene, 1 and 3:30 p.m.
4/24 vs. North Salem, 5 p.m. (Pending)
4/30 vs. Ashland, 5 p.m.
5/4 @ Ashland, 1 and 3 p.m.
5/7 vs. Eagle Point, 5 p.m.
5/11 @ Eagle Point, 1 and 3 p.m.
5/14 vs. Thurston, 5 p.m. (Senior Night)
5/17 @ Thurston, 2:30 and 5 p.m.
THURSTON COLTS
School: 333 58th St.
Head coach: Dennis Minium … 10th year at Thurston … 170-76 overall coaching record
2023: 28-3 overall … 18-0 in league play … 1st in Midwestern League … Ranked No. 2 in Class 5A … Won state title
Top returners
■ Connor Molony, Jr., RHP/1B. 2023 .456 batting average, 11-0 on the mound with a 1.02 ERA, 5A pitcher of the year, Midwestern League pitcher of the year, pitched state championship win.
■ Adam Elliott, Sr., center field. 2023 .465 batting average, Midwestern League golden glove winner, 1st-team all-state, 1st-team all-league.
■ Kyle Miller, Jr., right field. 2023 .342 batting average, 2nd-team all-league
■ Grady Saunders, So., RHP/SS. 2023 – .455 batting average, 1st-team all-state, 1st-team all-league; game-winning, inside-the-park-HR against West Albany for state title.
Top games
■ Coach Bob National Invitational, Arizona (March 25-29)
■ Summit (Away March 18)
■ Ashland (Home April 2, Away April 6)
2024 SCHEDULE
3/13 @ Sheldon (PK Park), 7 p.m.
3/18 @ Summit, 4 p.m.
3/20 vs. Crescent Valley, 4 p.m.
3/25 @ Coach Bob National Invitational vs. Crimson (Ariz.), 6 p.m.
3/26 @ Coach Bob National Invitational vs. Monarch (CO) and Mullen (CO), 4 and 7 p.m.
3/28 @ Coach Bob National Invitational vs. Lake Park (Ill.), 1 p.m.
3/29 @ Coach Bob National Invitational vs. Arbor View (Nev.), 3 p.m.
4/2 vs. Ashland, 5 p.m.
4/6 @ Ashland, 1 and 3 p.m.
4/9 vs. North Eugene, 5 p.m.
4/13 @ North Eugene, 1 and 3:30 p.m.
4/18 @ West Salem, 5 p.m.
4/23 vs. Churchill, 5 p.m.
4/27 @ Churchill, 1 and 3 p.m.
4/30 @ Eagle Point, 5 p.m.
5/4 vs. Eagle Point, 1 and 3 p.m.
5/07 @ Crater, 5 p.m.
5/11 vs. Crater, 1 and 3 p.m.
5/14 @ Springfield, 5 p.m.
5/17 vs. Springfield, 2:30 and 5 p.m. (Senior Night)
