The state semifinals for all classifications were played on Tuesday afternoon, and the title games for the state’s small schools are now set.
The championship games will all be played at Volcanos Stadium in Keizer. The 3A game will be on Friday at 1:30 p.m., followed by the 2A/1A game at 5 p.m. The Class 4A game will be 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Here’s a rundown of the state semifinals for the 4A, 3A and 2A/1A classifications:
CLASS 4A
(2) Hidden Valley 10, (6) Mazama 1
Nate Vidlak pitched a gem in the state semifinals. The senior pitched all seven innings and struck out 10 Mazama batters on Tuesday.
Caleb Richter had four RBIs in the game, including a two-run home run. Isaac Hill added a home run of his own in the win.
(4) La Grande, (8) Philomath 0
The Tigers were dominant on both offense and defense in their semifinals matchup with Philomath.
La Grande’s Devin Bell pitched a no-hitter, allowing just two walks and striking out 11 batters. At the plate, Bell was a perfect three-for-three with three RBIs and three runs scored.
Jace Schow had two hits and scored twice. Nick Bornstedt had one hit and two RBIs.
The Tigers are back in the state championship game looking for their third state title. La Grande won the 2017 title and was the runner-up in 2018.
CLASS 3A
(5) Santiam Christian 5, (9) Blanchet Catholic 4 (9 innings)
The Eagles beat the Cavaliers thanks to a walk-off single by Jacob Yenchik on Tuesday night.
With the game knotted at 4-4 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, Yenchik connected on a 1-1 count to score Ely Kennel.
Kennel was dynamite at the plate for the Eagles, with four hits, two runs scored and two RBIs.
Kadon Kaugen pitched six innings for Santiam Christian, allowing six hits, three runs, walking three and striking out three. Camden Carley allowed one hit, one run and walked one without recording an out. Jadon Roth pitched three innings, allowing no hits, walking one and striking out three.
(2) South Umpqua 7, (3) Yamhill-Carlton 6
The Lancers, a powerhouse baseball program in the ‘70s and ‘80s, are headed back to the state title game for the first time since 1996 thanks to a walk-off double by Jace Johnson on the first pitch of the final at-bat of the game against Yamhill-Carlton.
Kade Johnson had one hit and two RBIs for South Umpqua. Justin Jenks had two hits and one RBI.
Ever Lamm pitched all seven innings for the Lancers, allowing nine hits, four earned runs, walking one and striking out eight.
CLASS 2A/1A
(1) Umpqua Valley Christian 4, (4) Dufur/South Wasco County 3 (9 innings)
The reigning state champions are back in the title game after a nine-inning battle with Dufur. The Monarchs scored the game-winning run as Nathan York scored on an error.
The Rangers were up 3-2 as the Monarchs last took to the plate. Levi Heard hit an RBI single to get the scoring started in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Ty Hellenthal pitched five innings for Umpqua Valley Christian, allowing three hits, two runs and walking two while striking out six. Daniel Withers pitched four innings, allowing three hits, one run, walking two and striking out three.
(2) Kennedy 11, (3) Knappa 1
Junior pitcher Ethan Kleinschmit didn’t give an inch in the Trojans’ state semifinal win. Kleinschmit struck out 10 Knappa batters while pitching the whole game.
Riley Cantu had three hits with two RBIs.
The 2A/1A state championship game will be a rematch of the most recently played official state championship game for the classification. Umpqua Valley Christian beat Kennedy 10-5 in nine innings in the 2019 title game.
— Nik Streng, nstreng@oregonian.com, @NikStreng
Original Article: Source