>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

BIG BANG: Elgin/Imbler’s Kacie Merrigan recorded the lone hit against Valley Catholic’s Sami Pickens during a 1-0 loss Tuesday. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

Less than a year ago the Elgin/Imbler softball team celebrated a Class 2A State Championship.

On Tuesday they hosted the defending Class 3A State champions Valley Catholic.

While the team from Beaverton rolled in on a luxury bus, Elgin/Imbler stood its ground.

SET TO STRIKE: Union’s Jessy Reynolds prepares to deliver a pitch against Pilot Rock Tuesday. The Ladycats advanced the state championship game with a 7-3 win. - The Observer/ BRUCE MASON

Hang that banner.

Union is headed to Corvallis.

SOPHOMORE SENSATION: La Grande’s Jacob Johnson finished fifth in the high jump by clearing 6 feet, 3 inches. Johnson and Nur Sofe, both sophomores, paced the Tigers at the Class 4A State Meet. Sofe grabbed two top-five finishes in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. - Curry Pilot photos/JOSH BRONSON

“It was a great meet for the kids,” Tigers head coach Duane Smiley said. “It’s something the kids can use for next season. We’re young, and we’re going to be back.”

Nur Sofe returned to the state field, poised to improve his sophomore year.

NEWPORT — The OSAA title defense came to a close Friday versus Newport, as the La Grande varsity baseball team fell, 7-1.

“It wasn’t our turn,” Tigers coach Mark Lanman said. “It was a crappy game to end the season.”

And to end the coaching career of Lanman, who will now retire, and a stellar set of careers for the Tigers’ seniors.

CORVALLIS — A day at the park didn’t turn into a picnic for the home team, Santiam Christian.

Elgin/Imbler broke up the Class 3A quarterfinal party with a 3-1 win Friday.

Sophomore Tara Ludwig got Elgin/Imbler off to the right start with a double in the first inning to drive in the first run of the game.

MOORE GAMES AHEAD: Elgin pitcher Dalton Moore delivers to the plate Friday versus Oakland. WIth the victory, Elgin will host Portland Christian Tuesday, for the right to advance to the state championship game. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

Don’t underestimate those qualities in Elgin baseball coach Greg Luse.

When the time was right —two straight walks by Travis Ludwig — Luse dropped an insightful bomb on his senior pitcher.

“Field mice are fast,” Luse said. “But owls see at night.”

NYSSA — The Grande Ronde Karate and Kung Fu School traveled to Nyssa, Idaho, May 10 for a martial arts tournament.

The school sent three to the competition led by Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee Sigung Ken Johnson, a Seventh Degree Black Belt and Grand Master of Kajukenbo. With him, were Sifu Brian Dean, a Fourth Degree Black Belt, Master, and senior instructor and Sihing Slim Thomas; a college student, Green Belt, and assistant instructor.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: La Grande’s Kara Gerst (right) and Josi Lyman (left) celebrate after winning the Class 4A doubles championship. Submitted photo

But the fairy tale ending that finished with a hard court title began under the florescent lights of the basketball court.

The story’s characters started as middle school basketball players.

Kara Gerst and Josi Lyman moved on to high school.

TAN THE MAN: Tanner Hallgarth knocked in a run. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

If fact, that may be a personal record.

But Hallgarth let his bat do the talking during a 9-6 win against Heppner Tuesday.

Laser Vision: Megan Myers smacked a double. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

An opening round game playoff game against Reedsport in the first round of the OSAA playoffs provided the perfect soapbox.

Elgin/Imbler won its fifth straight playoff game, the first in Class 3A, against the Braves 10-2.