First‑Round Drama Unfolds
The opening round of the Oregon School Activities Association’s baseball and softball playoffs delivered a cascade of nail‑biting finishes, with several lower‑seeded teams overturning expectations.
In a tightly contested softball matchup, Grants Pass secured a 4‑3 victory over Cleveland. The winning run crossed the plate with two outs in the seventh inning, capping a rally that began when Madison Montejano’s two‑out double put the Lady Cavers ahead 4‑1.
Cleveland’s comeback attempt fell just short. After loading the bases in the final half‑inning, the team closed to 4‑3, only to see a ground ball to first end the game.
North Medford’s baseball squad pulled off the tournament’s biggest upset, defeating South Salem 7‑5. Cade Pettersen’s solo home run in the seventh broke a tie and sealed the win, while Spencer Adams’ early hitting helped set the tone.
Central Catholic continued its dominant run, routing Sunset 12‑2 in a mercy‑rule decision. Spencer Adams collected three hits in the first three innings, fueling a 7‑0 lead that never wavered.
Tigard added another surprise, toppling No. 9 Sunset 3‑2 in softball. Brooklyn Robinson’s seventh‑inning homer provided the decisive margin in a game that had swung back and forth throughout.
The second round of both brackets is scheduled for Wednesday, promising fresh confrontations as the remaining teams regroup and adjust their strategies.