Baseball
Recaps
■ COTTAGE GROVE went 0-3 against No. 1-ranked Marist Catholic last week. It started with an 11-0 loss on Tuesday, where the Lions went hitless with no runs. Marist Catholic’s pitchers Raith Huffman and Grady Hazen combined for nine strikeouts. Then, the Lions lost 14-4 in Game One of their doubleheader against the Spartans on Friday. Although the Lions were the first to get on the board at the top of the second inning. Tyson Seaman singled on a fly ball, allowing Cade May on third to score as well as Evan Emmick from second. Then, Nolan Spear singled and allowed Seaman to score, and Colton Cogburn from second to score, bringing the score to 4-0. The Lions’ hopes were then extinguished when the Spartans exploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the fourth. Seaman was the highlight when he went 1-for-1 with a run and 2 RBIs. The Lions followed up with a 15-1 loss in Game Two. Despite a hitless game for the Lions, they scored their only run by Anthony Eubanks when he scored on an error by Marist Catholic’s shortstop.
■ CRESWELL went 3-0 in the Mountain Valley Conference last week. It began when the Bulldogs took victory over Elmira 8-2 on Tuesday. Matthew Jenkins went 2-for-3 with 2 runs. Bulldog pitchers Colton Hartman and Jaxon Pelham combined for 8 strikeouts. The Bulldogs then won 14-0 in Game One in their doubleheader against Harrisburg on Friday. The Bulldogs sealed the deal with an explosive top of the sixth inning with 8 runs. Kayden Roberts stole the show when he went 3-for-3 with 2 runs and an RBI. Following him, Hartman went 1-for-2 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs. On the mound, Jenkins struck out 7 and walked 2. The Bulldogs sealed the deal with an explosive top of the sixth inning with 8 runs. The Bulldogs also took the victory in Game Two, winning 12-0. They were the first to get on the board in the top of the first with a run, then sealed the lead in the top of the second with 5 runs. Jenkins went 2-for-3 with 2 runs and an RBI. Pelham recorded 6 strikeouts on the mound.
■ PLEASANT HILL went 2-1 in the Mountain Valley Conference last week. On Tuesday, the Billies lost 10-8 to the Sisters Outlaws. Though, Judah Kelso was the standout of the game when he went 3-for-4 with a run and 2 RBIs. Alejandro Ziolkowski and Will Sheva combined for 6 strikeouts on the mound. The Billies then took their first victory 11-1 against the Elmira Falcons in their doubleheader on Friday. The Billies biggest highlight was when they recorded 7 runs in the bottom of the fifth for a walk-off win. Caleb Van Ordstrand went 2-for-3 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs. Gabe Van Ordstrand and Abe Craig both went 2-for-3 with 2 runs. The Billies then sealed a second win 7-6 in Game Two. Kaden Fisher was the highlight when he went 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs and struck out six on the mound.
■ SPRINGFIELD went 0-3 last week against the Churchill Lancers in the Midwestern League. On Tuesday, the Millers lost 11-2. The Millers recorded their 2 runs at the bottom of the fifth when Clay Rhoades and Ryan Letsom scored on a steal of home. Churchill pitcher Donovan Jackson struck out 14 on the mound. The Millers then lost 18-2 in Game One of their doubleheader against the Lancers on Thursday. The Millers collected their 2 runs in the top of the fifth when Matthew Merrifield scored from third after Elijah Davis grounded into a double play while Rhoades advanced to third. Rhoades then scored in the next play when Jack Sperry singled on a fly ball. The Millers followed up with a 22-0 loss in Game Two. Rhoades and Anthony De La Rosa recorded the only two hits for the Millers.
■ THURSTON went 3-0 against the Crater Comets in the Midwestern League last week. On Tuesday, they claimed a 7-1 victory. Brock Johnson went 2-for-3 with 2 runs and one RBI. Following him were Grady Saunders and Noah Blair, who both went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Saunders also recorded 7 strikeouts on the mound. The Colts won Game One of their doubleheader against the Comets 11-8. The biggest highlight was when Saunders went 4-for-4 with a home run, 2 runs, and 4 RBIs. Following him was Johnson at 3-for-3 with 3 runs. The Colts then followed it up with a 4-2 win in Game Two in which Connor Molony went 2-for-4.
– Statistics from GameChanger.com
Previews
#25 COTTAGE GROVE (6-14)
■ Leading off: The Lions play Junction City this week in the Sky-Em League, with an away doubleheader on Friday. The Lions have struggled in league play this year and are winless. Up against second-ranked Junction City, the Lions will have to focus on their defense for this one with pitcher Nolan Spear on the mound.
#16 CRESWELL (11-9)
■ Leading off: The Bulldogs welcome La Pine on Friday for a doubleheader. After beating La Pine 7-3 earlier in league play, the Bulldogs should be feeling confident. The Hawks blew out Pleasant Hill last week in a doubleheader. Watch for standouts Matthew Jenkins and Colton Hartman.
#19 PLEASANT HILL (10-9)
■ Leading off: The Billies welcome the Harrisburg Eagles to their home field on Friday. After the Billies dominated the Eagles 22-2 earlier this season, this should be a good opportunity for the Billies to improve their record. Look for the Van Ordstrand brothers as well as Judah Kelso.
#1 THURSTON (18-2) AT #31 SPRINGFIELD (3-14)
■ Leading off: The Millers play host to the Colts at Hamlin Sports Complex in a doubleheader this Friday. This rivalry is a bit unbalanced, with the second-lowest ranked team in Class 5A facing the No. 1-ranked team.
– All capsules compiled by McKenzie Days, The Chronicle
Softball
Recaps
■ COTTAGE GROVE went 1-2 last week against the Marist Catholic Spartans in the Sky-Em League. It started with a 12-2 loss on Tuesday. Though, Addison Hitt went 3-for-3 with an RBI. She also hit a home run and scored a run for the Lions. The Lions earned their second run when Shae Richardson scored from second after Alexsis Woody singled. The Lions lost 17-9 in Game One of their doubleheader against the Spartans on Friday. Emily Pacheco and Makya Alsup both went 2-for-4 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs. Pacheco also recorded a home run on a pop fly to center field in the top of the fourth. Woody went 2-for-3. However, the Lions were able to bite back when they took victory in Game Two 8-5. Pacheco stole the show when she went 4-for-3 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs. She also struck out 8 on the mound.
■ CRESWELL went 0-4 last week. It started with a 15-5 loss to Elmira / Mapleton on Tuesday and a 14-0 loss to out-of-league Class 4A Junction City. The Bulldogs then lost in Game One and Game Two of their doubleheader against Harrisburg / Monroe on Friday.
■ PLEASANT HILL went 1-2 last week in the Mountain Valley Conference. It started with a resounding 18-17 win against the Sisters Outlaws on Tuesday. Then, the Billies lost both games in their doubleheader against Elmira / Mapleton on Friday. In Game One’s loss of 15-6, Acadia Bloxham and Zaira Duarte both went 2-for-3 with a run. Bloxhman also had 3 RBIs. Bloxham and Kendall Carey combined for 5 strikeouts on the mound. In Game Two’s loss of 22-7, Erin McAllister went 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI.
■ SPRINGFIELD went 0-3 against the Churchill Lancers in the Midwestern League last week. On Tuesday, when the Millers lost 18-1, Emma Branson had the only run for the Millers when, after being hit by a pitch, she scored on an Ella Patrick ground out. The Millers then lost Game One 13-2 on Friday. It started at the top of the first when Nadia Plumb scored in the first inning after reaching base on an error by the Lancers’ shortstop. The Millers also scored in the top of the fifth inning when Chloe Sankey scored from second base. The Millers followed up with a 12-2 loss in Game Two. The Millers scored both their runs in the top of the third inning. Sankey and Lillian Wobbe recorded the runs.
■ THURSTON went 2-1 with the Crater Comets last week, winning both games and then dropping Game Two in their doubleheader on Friday. On Tuesday, they started with a 6-5 victory. Daphnie Heckel went 2-for-3 with two runs and 2 RBIs. In Game One’s 7-2 victory, Syren Ferguson was the highlight when she went 4-for-4 with two runs. Heckel went 2-for-4 with two runs. The Lancers then came back for a win and the Colts 8-7. Raygan Litle went 2-for-3 with a run and 2 RBIs.
Previews
#19 COTTAGE GROVE (9-8)
■ Leading off: The Lions head to Junction City this week as they begin to wrap up Sky-Em. Both teams are neck-and-neck in the league standings, with Cottage Grove currently on track for getting 2nd in Sky-Em. If the Lions are to sustain a winning record and grab 2nd in Sky-Em, they’ll need to rally their hits. Look for Addison Hitt, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI last week. She also hit a home run and scored a run for the Lions.
#27 CRESWELL (8-9)
■ Leading off: The Bulldogs play host to the La Pine Hawks this Friday for a Mountain Valley Conference doubleheader. At No. 38, the Hawks should be a manageable challenge for the Bulldogs. Though, the Hawks did edge out the Bulldogs 18-17 earlier in league. This should be the opportunity the Bulldogs need to redeem themselves. They need some wins after going 0-4 last week.
#32 PLEASANT HILL (4-12)
■ Leading off: The Billies host Harrisburg / Monroe in a Mountain Valley Conference doubleheader this Friday. The Eagles beat the Billies earlier in league 14-2, though the Billies are focusing this season on their foundations.
#2 THURSTON (14-5) AT #30 SPRINGFIELD (4-14)
■ Leading off: The Millers invite the Colts to their home field on Saturday. The Millers are led by Lillian Wobbe, Chloe Sankey, and Nadia Plumb. The Colts are led by Payton Tovey, Kasey Ogan, and Raygan Litle.
Track and Field
Recaps
■ COTTAGE GROVE girls and boys were second overall at the Central Coast Invitational among five schools. On the boys side, CJ Dugas took third in the 100 meters at 12.04. In the 400 meters, Lucas O’Hara was second at 56.33. Following him was Isiah Grogan with third and a PR of 57.67. In the 800 meters, Micah Hanke was second with a PR time of 1.58.02 and most notably, the fastest 800-meter time by a Cottage Grove runner in 40 years. Carter Bengtson won the 1500 meters at 4.09. Braeden Bomar was first in the 3000 meters with a PR of 10.15.01, and Frank Garcia was second at 10.19. Anthony Bird placed first in the 300-meter hurdles with a PR of 44.90. The 4×400 relay team of Hanke, O’Hara, Bengtson, and Remington Sharkey took first for a collective time of 3.46. On the field team, Rogelio Soto-Cruz took second in the shot put with a PR. Following him, Seth Hill took third. Soto-Crus also took third in the discus. Otis Hitt took third in javelin. Gavin Grogan took third in high jump and Griffey Dimock took third in pole vault. On the girls side, Carolyn Reyna took first in the 100 meters (14.01) and the 200 meters (29.09). In the 400 meters, Baleigh Creech took first with a time of 1.09.55. Josie Cochell received third at 1.10. In the 800 meters, Ella Cardwell placed second with a season record of 2:31.20. In the 1500 meters, Carly Knutson went third with a PR of 5.15. In the 100-meter hurdles, Emmerson Bickford went second with a season record of 18.45. Jordynn Humphreys went third at 18.93. Bickford also went second in the 300-meter hurdles at 51.65. The 4×400 relay team of Cardwell, Knutson, Hailey Fergason and Creech took first for the Lions with a 4.28 time. On the field team, Humphreys took second in the javelin with a PR. Sadie Cardwell took second in the pole vault and Bickford first in long jump with a season record.
■ Creswell girls took second while the boys took third at the Junction City Invitational last week. On the boys side, Connor Nguyen took third in the 200 meters at 23.60. In the 400 meters, Mason Schartz won first with a PR of 53.28. In the 3000 meters, Lincoln Criddle with a PR of 10.22.14. The 4×100 relay team of Nguyen, Schartz, Logan Rich and Hunter Mustin won first with a time of 45.21. On the field team, Noah Cranson took third in the high jump with a PR. On the girls side, Journey Meyer won first (PR of 59.33) and Kylie Leonard took third (season record 1.00.91). In the 100-meter hurdles, Mila Nguyen won first with a PR of 16.88. In the 300-meter hurdles, Leonard won first with a PR of 47.0. Brooke Moehlmann took third at 51.24. The 4×400 relay team of Meyer, Moehlmann, Leonard, and Jordyn Lee won first with a time of 4.05.06. On the team field, Aaliyah Reed took third in shot put with a PR. Keeley Goddard took third in high jump. Vika Gabrio took second in triple jump and Mila took third with a season record.
■ Pleasant Hill boys took second while the girls took third at the Harrisburg Twilight Meet last week. On the boys side, Marcus Martinez took second in the 100 meter (PR of 11.54) and Andrew Taylor placed third (PR of 11.56). Taylor also won first in the 200 meters with a season record of 23.59. In the 400 meters, Martinez took third with a PR time of 53.32. Gage Roper won the 800 meters at 2.10.50 and the 1500 meters at 4.30.99. The 4×100 relay team of Martinez, Taylor, Dhanesh Naidu and James Hoopman took second for the Bulldogs with a time of 45.77. On the field team, Cody Jones took second in the javelin. On the girls side, in the 100 meters, Soleis Jones won first with a PR of 12.92 and Ellie Thebo took second with a PR of 13.05. Jones also took second in the 200 meters with 26.87. Isabel Hammond-Mendez took third in the 400 meters at 1.05.83. Ellie Epperson took third in the 800 meters at 2.34.13. In the 1500 meters, Epperson won first (5.26) and Nellie Smith placed second (5.28). Smith also won first in the 3000 meters with a PR of 12.01.44. Trinity Smead placed third in the 300-meter hurdles with a PR of 51.39. The 4×100 relay team of Thebo, Jones, Hammond-Mendez, and Jolie Heacock won first for the Billies with a time of 52.15. In the 4×400, the team of Jones, Hammond-Mendez, Epperson, and Smead won first at 4.23.53. On the field team, Heacock placed third in the triple jump with a PR.
■ In Thurston and Springfield’s dual meet, Thurston boys and girls won. Though, Springfield had notable standout performances. Audrey Sommerville, who won first in the 400 meters, made a PR time of 1.01.72. She also won first in the triple jump with a PR. Sailor Hall won first with a PR in shotput. On the boys side, Hayden Sayre won first in the 200 meters and 400 meters. Jack Sayre won first in the 3000 meters and 110 meters with a PR. Noah Solo won first with a PR in shotput.
■ Thurston boys took fifth while the girls took third at the Heart of the Valley Spartan Challenge last week. On the boys side, Carson Buergey earned second with a PR of 8.44.25 in the 3000 meters. Tyler Raven took second in the 110 meters at 15.33. On the field team, Lucas Wadley took first in javelin. Ryan Roser took third in the long jump with a PR. Raven also won first in the triple jump. On the girls side, Nathalie Parker took third in the 1500 meters with a PR of 5.07.22. In the 3000 meters, Parker won with a PR time of 11.29.53 and Liliana Ramirez placed third with a PR of 11.44.39. Macy Taylor took second in the 100-meter hurdles at 17.42. The 4×100 throwers relay team of Addison Nelson, Sofia Scott, Natalie Hiller, and Kylee Skinner took first for the Colts with a time of 55.74. On the field, Nelson won first in the triple jump.
