
Intermountain Conference Leads 5A All‑State Baseball Honors
An overview of the Intermountain Conference’s dominance on the 5A all‑state baseball teams, highlighting top players and the coach who led Central to a state title.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Joe Mendazona across Baseball.

An overview of the Intermountain Conference’s dominance on the 5A all‑state baseball teams, highlighting top players and the coach who led Central to a state title.

A look at the 2026 Class 5A all-state baseball teams, highlighting standout performances from the Intermountain Conference and the coaches recognized for their seasons.
The 2026 OSAA baseball season in the Salem‑Keizer area has concluded, and the Statesman Journal has nominated a slate of elite players for player of the year honors, highlighting remarkable performances across the region.

In a 7‑0 loss, Central’s Joe Mendazona delivered a no‑hitter with 14 strikeouts, and Thurston’s Grady Saunders’ injury ended his high school career, but the team looks ahead to a promising future.

On June 6, 2026, the Central Panthers defeated the Thurston Colts 7-0 at PK Park in Eugene, Oregon, in the OSAA 5A Baseball State Championship.
Joe Mendazona threw a no‑hit, 14‑strikeout game as Central defeated Thurston 7‑0 in the Class 5A championship, a win that highlighted a ten‑game winning streak and the loss of Thurston’s star player Grady Saunders.
Central High School’s baseball squad, known for their bleached hair and tight‑knit camaraderie, will contest the state championship after a nail‑biting victory over Ridgeview, driven by junior pitcher JT Girod’s standout performance.

The Summit Storm’s season ended in the Class 5A state semifinals with a 4‑1 loss to the unbeaten Thurston Colts. Despite a strong effort, key performances from both teams set the stage for an anticipated championship clash.