Bobcats invade Willamette Valley for titles

IN THE CHIPPER: Union returns to the state baseball championships for the first time since 1971 looking for the school’s first state title. - Observer file photo

Friday the Bobcats’ baseball and softball teams will both play for state championships.

The softball team faces Irrigon in Corvallis on the Oregon State University softball field at 1 p.m. Four hours later and 45 miles north of Corvallis, the No. 2 Union baseball team will play top-ranked Umpqua Valley Christian in Keizer.

“I literally broke down into tears when I found out both teams won Tuesday,” Union Athletic Director Teresa Stratton said. “I am so happy for the kids and the community. It is definitely something to relish.

“I remember as a parent last year, it’s just an overwhelming and pretty indescribable feeling watching the kids out there.”

The Union baseball team meets UVC for the second time this season. The Bobcats defeated the Monarchs March 20, 11-1 in John Day. But Union head coach Greg Poor says that score can be deceiving.

“That game didn’t really mean a lot,” Poor said. “It was the first game of the season. They were up 1-0 through the first six innings. Then they replaced a pitcher, and we scored 11 runs after that.”

The pitcher that held the Bobcats (21-1) to two hits through six innings is Bo Younker, the Class 2A/1A player of the year. But the Monarchs (27-3) have another ace on their roster, Ryan Graf.

Graf allowed only three hits in six innings Tuesday in an 8-1 semifinal win over No. 3 Portland Christian. Younker hit a first inning home run to begin the scoring.

“They definitely have two to three good pitchers,” Poor said. “Graf threw six innings versus Portland Christian so I’m not sure how much of him we’ll see.

“They are tough. Their top five or six guys are real good. I think our top kids can hang in there with them, though. The difference may be our seven, eight and nine guys.”

The key factor may not be found on any stat sheet. Umpqua Valley Christian has plenty of big experience. The Monarchs’ seniors have been to four straight state tournaments and ended last season with an extra inning loss to Portland Christian in the championships.

This will be UVC’s third appearance in the state championships. The Monarchs defeated Salem Academy, 2-0, in 2002.

Union has had two second place finishes in the state final in 1949 with a loss to Drain and in 1971 losing to Jefferson.

Graf threw seven innings in last year’s final, allowing nine hits and three earned runs.

The excitement of the big game with the little town team could be a major factor.

“It’s been intense,” Poor said. “We had to take pictures for the video on the Volcanoes Stadium scoreboard at practice today. I’ve tried to shield the players from all the excitement.

“It’s been tough for me. I’ve been interviewed by the Oregonian, the Salem Statesmen and have received several calls from the OSAA radio guys.”

The Monarchs lost to Hidden Valley and Santiam Christian late in the season and currently ride a three-game win streak into the final. UVC defeated Joseph in the second round, 12-3, Knappa 10-0 in the quarterfinals and Portland Christian in the semifinals.

Umpqua Valley Christian has an enrollment size of 258 students.

“I have not sensed a lot of nervousness with our guys,” Poor said. “I’ve only seen a lot of excitement. It’s been their goal since day one to get there and finish.

“I’m sure we’ll find out Friday how nervous they are. I think they are just anxious. If they could play right now they would. They’ll remember this experience for the rest of their lives.”

Two third-seeded teams meet in the OSAA Class 2A/1A softball championship game. Union and Irrigon each finished third in their leagues and will now try to be first in the state.

The Knights (18-8) beat Chiloquin in the second round, 11-1, stunned top-ranked Enterprise-Joseph, 6-2, in the quarterfinals and beat Gaston on the road Tuesday, 3-1.

The Lady Cats have played Irrigon already this season defeating the Knights, 2-0, March 23 in five innings in the Irrigon tournament.

“It’s good that we have some experience against them,” Union head coach Paul Phillips said. “We played them early on and had some success against them. But right now they are playing very well and are on cloud nine.

“They have a good pitcher in Noelle Wright. She is a junior who can get her fastball up to the mid-50s. She has a good change-up and is a power hitter as well.”

Jessica Henrichs provides Irrigon with a solid threat at the plate. She is a .400 hitter who went 3 for 4 in Tuesday’s semifinal win at Gaston.

No. 4 Union (22-6) has won three straight games since losing to Wallowa in the district tournament. The Bobcats have won 17 out of their last 19 games.

“We’ve had our ups and downs this year, but we have earned the trip to the state finals,” Phillips said. “Our last game wasn’t the prettiest one but we’ll take it. Our kids are believing in each other and playing really well.”

Irrigon has only been a school for four years and is making its first appearance in the state championships. Before this season the Knights were 0-2 in the state tournament.

ANOTHER TITLE IN SIGHT: Jessy Reynolds and Union are one win away Friday from defending the state title they won last season. - Observer file photo

Culver is attempting to win its third straight state title this year in Class 5A and Valley Catholic is going for its third straight title in Class 3A.

Irrigon is so happy to be there that the school with an enrollment of 233 may be a little short of graduates at Friday evening’s commencement.

The Knights have their graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. but have a rooter bus bringing students to the finals with the understanding they will not be back in time for the graduation.

“I’m just proud as I can be,” Stratton said. “I had around 150 calls and texts Tuesday night and I finally had to turn my phone off so I could do some work.

“It’s great to see the kids succeed and it’s the kind of expectations you want to have. But our job is to have these kids come out of school as better citizens.”

The Class 2A/1A softball championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Oregon State University softball field in Corvallis. The Class 2A/1A baseball finals have a first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer.

Fans can follow a live writers notebook on www.lagrandeobserver.com or listen to the game live on www.OSAA.org.

“The teams have become very superstitious,” Stratton said. “They want to continue to do everything just like the game before. But hey, who can blame them? It’s working so far.

“We’re expecting a big following over to watch. I’ve had grandparents, uncles and aunts all wanting to know what’s going on. It’s going to be fun.”