After shocking the #4 OSAA ranked, 21-7 Pleasant Hill Billies Tuesday afternoon, the next and final stop on their journey was Eugene Oregon, for a Saturday afternoon contest to decide the 2024 OSAA 3A Baseball Champion at the University of Oregon’s PK Park, against the #3 OSAA ranked, 24-5 Warrenton Warriors.
A confident Bruin boys baseball team, designated the visitors in this championship contest and stepped into the batting box ready to play, after junior second baseman Talan Pryor, #2, got on base and senior, #22, Ethan Orman pushed him across the plate with a triple. Orman would cross the plate later in the inning off a #24, Camron Hendrix single, to take a 0-2 lead.
Head coach Keith Wallin handed senior left handed pitcher, #22, Ethan Orman the ball to attack the strong Warrenton bats, and Orman did just that, dispatching the top of the Warrenton batting order in order, sending the game to the second inning with the Bruins leading 0-2.
The Bruin offense would pick up where they left off in the first, forcing a Warrenton pitching change after 1 and 2/3 innings after putting two on. However, the Bruins would fail to score in the inning before Warrentom would get their first baserunner in the game with two outs in the second,and Orman would shut down the side.
In the top half of the third, the Bruin boys would load the bases, again applying pressure to the Warrenton defense, forcing a passed ball that would score a run giving the Bruins a 0-3 lead going into the bottom half of the third. The Warrior offense would respond in their half of the third, pushing three runs across the plate to tie the score 3-3, after three.
The Bruin bats were quiet in the top of the fourth, opening the door for a Warrnenton offense ready to take advantage of any opportunity the Bruins left open, and after putting runners on the corners, would execute a double steal, adding a run to take their first lead in the game, 4-3.
Now trailing for the first time, the Bruins would respond with a hit to right field by senior short stop Camron Hendrix, #24, who would later score off a double by senior third baseman, #23, Evan Orman, to tie the score at four midway through the fifth. The Warriors would get a baserunner on, and senior catcher Spencer Rosenberg would end the Warrenton threat throwing out the runner attempting to steal second base.
A Warrenton pitching change in the top of the sixth, would keep the Bruin bats silent, striking out the side in order before the Warrior offense would take a late 5-4 lead going into the final inning of regulation play.
Down by one in the final inning, the Bruins would struggle to get a runner in scoring position, but with two outs, the Bruins managed to get Ethan Orman into scoring position at second base. With two outs, and a full count, Evan Orman stood at the plate with the Bruins last attempt to keep their season alive, and would get the hit that would send Orman across the plate to tie the game at 5-5.
But, with the Warriors with the last opportunity in the bottom of the seventh, would work the bases loaded and score on a base hit up the middle to end the game, and take the 2024 OSAA 3A Baseball Championship, 6-5.
“Great season…” coach Wallin said after the game. “These guys battled from behind every playoff game right down to the wire. A true sign of their character and commitment.”
“Lots of fun to be apart of and damn proud to be a Bruin.” – Head Coach Keith Wallin
