SHS at #1 Cascade Christian tonight at 5 p.m.

May 24, 2023 — The Siuslaw baseball team traveled to Grants Pass on Monday, May 23 for the first round of the OSAA 3A State Baseball Tournament to the home of the North Valley Nights. The two teams combined for 29 runs, the most by the Vikings and an opponent all season but the visitors from Florence would hold on to win 16-13.

The win meant Siuslaw would advance to face what most consider the top team in the 3A classification, Cascade Christian, on one of their home fields in Medford.

The Viks scored 7 runs in the second inning and 5 in the 5th and at one point had a 8-0 lead but the home team battled hard and the game came down to the last batter before Siuslaw prevailed with a great play from their defense.

Viking Head Coach Tom Shinn was impressed.

“What an exciting night,” the coach said. “Overall the team played well. Defensively we made some exciting plays, ending the game with an 6-4-3 double play.”

Second baseman Max Reynolds continued his stellar sophomore campaign going 2-2 with 3 walks to score 4 runs and drive in 3 more. After the game against the Knights, Reynolds' team leading batting average sits at .476.

Shinn was also impressed by the play of one of his freshmen, Micah Blankenship.

“Micah also had an exceptional game in the leadoff spot getting on base every trip to the plate,” Shinn said. “He was 1 for 1 scoring three runs and drawing 4 bases on balls.”

Blankenship also earned the save by retiring the game’s final two batters.

“Andrew [Jensen-Norman] came up clutch in the 5th inning when he hit a ball into right field scoring Max and Micah,” recalled Shinn.

The coach also highlighted the play of one of the team’s senior leaders.

“Noah [Dotson] had two RBIs, one in the 4th inning when he hit a line drive up the middle to score Ian and another in the 5th inning when he hit a hard ground ball through the right side to score Jordan Pitcher,” said Shinn.

The Viks game at Cascade Christian is at 5 p.m. tonight (Wednesday). Shinn went into the game against the tough opponent feeling good after how his team played in round one.

“This is a resilient team,” said Shinn. “They worked hard in this game and made some big plays. It was an exciting night and we are looking forward to the opportunity to travel to Medford on Wednesday to take on Cascade Christian.

OSAA 3A Baseball Playoffs - Round 2 - Siuslaw at Cascade Christian - 5 p.m.

Tickets: $10 — https://osaa.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/1800?es=hrladoku49vfm7tpib5e9m88dd or at the gate.

Game will be broadcast on KCST 106.9 FM or, with a subscription, at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/osaa/gam184b7223bf