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

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.

EUPHORIC STATE: Richie Carmichael celebrates his seventh-inning, game-tying, three-run homer. Observer photo/BRUCE MASON

The Tigers were being shutout. At home. Versus Scappoose. Trailing by three with their season and OSAA title defense hopes hanging in balance, hanging on this prayer of a late comeback.

FLYING EAGLE: Joseph senior Megan Yost was a part of the third place 4 x 400-meter relay team and fourth place 4 x 100-meter relay. File photo

Not a good day for an OSAA 1A/2A Track & Field Championship at Western Oregon University.

Yet, despite the sauna-like conditions, Old Oregon League and Blue Mountain athletes represented their schools and the Eastern Oregon region well.

READY TO REPEAT: Richie Carmichael will open the Class 4A State playoffs on the mound for the Tigers at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Observer file photo

Anthony picked up his brother, Zach Nice. Jordan Lanman rushed toward them from behind the plate, tackling his teammates. A pile up ensued. The crowd roared. And right then and there, on that second day of June, La Grande had its first Class 4A Baseball State Championship.