EUGENE – After a bracket change due to their role as hosts in the upcoming state tournament, the Eugene Challengers had the opportunity to take down an old semifinalist foe, Salem’s Post 20 Dirtbags, 9-1 last Friday. The victory helped propel the team to victory the next day against Medford, securing the Area 4 title.
The Challengers now turn their attention to the upcoming American Legion AAA state tournament July 26-31 on their home field at Swede Stadium.
“We got pretty fortunate to play these guys again,” Challengers head coach Kenny Niles said. “We played them six years ago during my first year, and they were dominant; they were so good. We were lucky to get them in the state semifinals last time. Also, it’s nice to compare yourself to other leagues and see what they’ve got.”
Challengers coach Kenny Niles said the players have bonded over the summer and is ready to compete in the state tournament.
The Challengers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning and then stretched that lead to 6-0 by the bottom of the 4th inning. Although the Dirtbags started taking more risks and increased their hits from 2 to 5 in the top 7th inning, it was too late. The Challengers swept the last inning with 9 runs on 9 hits with 6 runners left on base.
Thurston’s Brock Johnson had 2 hits overall and 2 RBI. Grady Saunders, another Colts baseball standout, had 1 RBI. Eli Crist had 1 RBI.
Similar to their win against Eagle River, the three-time defending Alaska state champs, Niles said that having this win under their belt will help sustain the Challengers’ mental fortitude into the tournament through “bragging rights.”
“When we’re talking 17- to 19-year-old kids, sometimes the mental side is just as important as the physical side,” Niles said. “I think when they go out and beat somebody like they did tonight, it makes them feel like ‘That yeah, hey, we beat these guys.’ In a week when they play them again, they know what they have.”
Another source of confidence for the team heading into the state tournament is the progression of their early season goals. They had three main goals: generate more offense, play faster, and gain a better arm.
Niles reflects on the team’s stride since June.
“I think we’re 35-8 now; we’ve turned the corner,” Niles said. “I think we are playing faster and I think we’re pitching a lot better. You know, all the things that we hoped that we would be doing now.”
Niles also said that a large component of this improvement is due to the team’s chemistry. Since the start of the season, the team has played 30+ games, traveled multiple road trips, and stayed overnight for many days. They have strengthened their teamwork, trust, and camaraderie, he said.
The Challengers won the Area 4 title after winning a doubleheader against the Medford Mustangs on Saturday. They opened with a 6-0 win and closed their second game with a 5-3 win, increasing their record to 15-3 in league play.
