THURSTON (3-3, #6)
■ Leading off: The Class 5A Colts are off to a slow start based on their own high standards. However, the last time the Colts started 3-3, two years ago, they won their final 25 games on the way to their second consecutive state championship. This week, they faced West Albany at Linn-Benton Community College on Tuesday, March 31 (after The Chronicle’s Tuesday deadline). On Saturday, they face Caldera at home, before opening league play with Churchill on Tuesday, April 7. Last season, the Colts swept the Lancers, though both teams made the state playoffs.
SPRINGFIELD (0-5, #31)
■ Leading off: The Class 5A Millers have three games this week. First, they faced No. 8 Corvallis (3-2) on Tuesday, March 31. The Spartans have dropped two in a row after starting 3-0. On Friday, the Millers travel to No. 27 Dallas (1-3). On Tuesday, April 7, the Millers welcome No. 41 in Class 6A McDaniel (2-5) for their final non-league game. Sophomore Oliver James has started the season red-hot, getting hits in six of his first nine at-bats.
COTTAGE GROVE (0-5, #29)
■ Leading off: The Class 4A Lions played at No. 22 Sweet Home (2-4) on Tuesday, March 31. They have a home doubleheader against No. 38 in Class 3A Coquille (0-4) on Friday. The following Tuesday, the Lions travel to face No. 33 in 3A Glide (2-4). Colton Cogburn will look to continue his hot hitting, with nine hits in his first 16 at-bats of the season.
CRESWELL (5-1, #2)
■ Leading off: The Class 3A Bulldogs look to extend their five-game winning streak next week. The first test was No. 16 Horizon Christian, Tualatin (2-4) on Tuesday, March 31. On Thursday, they travel to face No. 1 in Class 4A Junction City (6-0). The Tigers have won their first six games by an average of 8.3 runs. On Saturday, the Bulldogs travel to face No. 3 Taft (5-0). Taft has allowed only five runs total in their first five games. On Tuesday, they welcome No. 17 Sutherlin (2-3), and on Wednesday, No. 12 in Class 2A/1A Umpqua Valley Christian (2-3) visits for the Bulldogs final non-league game. The Bulldogs pitching and defense are hoping to continue the momentum of nearly throwing a no-hitter last time out.
PLEASANT HILL (1-4, #34)
■ Leading off: The Class 3A Billies have four games this week. On Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, the Billies travel to face No. 32 Corbett (2-4) and welcome No. 22 Siuslaw/Mapleton (3-2), respectively. On Friday, the Billies welcome No. 28 North Valley (0-5), which has allowed no fewer than 14 runs in any game this season. On Tuesday, April 7, the Billies travel up Highway 58 to face No. 23 in Class 2A/1A Oakridge (5-1). The Warriors have won five in a row. Billies freshman Wyatt Blake will hope to continue the momentum created by his stellar outing against Myrtle Point.
