In a tightly contested Class 5A baseball state championship, Central delivered a 7‑0 masterpiece over Thurston, a victory highlighted by Joe Mendazona’s flawless outing.
A Night of Dominance
Mendazona opened the game by striking out the side and never looked back, finishing with 14 strikeouts and a perfect no‑hit record that marked the first championship no‑hitter in the division’s history and only the fourth such feat in state annals.
The Panthers struck first in the second inning when back‑to‑back singles by Santi Alarcon and Jackson Barba set the stage for an RBI single from JT Girod that put Central ahead 1‑0 before Thurston’s star third baseman Grady Saunders left the game with a hamstring injury sustained while chasing a pop bunt.
Saunders’ exit forced Thurston to play shorthanded; the Colts managed just four hits and committed two errors in the third inning, allowing Central to surge to a 3‑0 lead before adding three more runs later, including an RBI single by Alarcon and a sacrifice bunt that brought in another run.
Central’s offense continued to roll, with Alarcon finishing with two hits, two RBIs and two runs, while Owen Petrone, Tyler Olafson and Easton Herbert each contributed key hits and RBIs, underscoring the depth of the lineup.
Coach Ben Kramer praised the team’s execution and composure, noting that the players “stayed focused” despite the early setback and highlighting the collective talent that made the victory possible.
The win capped a remarkable turnaround for Central, who entered May at 10‑10 but rallied to win ten straight games, while Thurston coach Dennis Minium acknowledged the setback but praised his team’s resilience and spirit.
The championship also resonated beyond the diamond, linking the achievement to broader collegiate programs such as Oregon State University and Texas Christian University, and the game was staged in Eugene, Oregon, a city with a rich baseball tradition.