The Ross Report - 6A/5A State Championships

Thu June 8, 2023
Alex Ross
Area Scout

On Saturday, Area Scout Alex Ross was bouncing around the state checking out the Championship games for both 6A and 5A. After starting his day in Keizer at Volcanoes Stadium for an epic battle between Jesuit and West Linn, he jumped back onto I5 and hustled down to Eugene for the 5A championship game at PK Park.

Below are some recaps of both contests with additional scout notes and some top performers

state championships

6A - Jesuit vs west linn

The 6A State championship game was a matchup between the #1 seeded West Linn Lions (25-6) and #2 Jesuit Crusaders (26-5). Most of the game was dominated by pitching and ended up being a duel between Jesuit’s ’23 RHP Noble Meyer (Oregon commit) and West Linn’s ’23 LHP Drake Gabel (Seattle U commit). While Meyer was all but dominant, West Linn was able to sneak a run across in the first and never looked back. The run was a result of right fielder ‘25 Danny Wideman’s (West Linn) 1 out double, followed by a ‘23 Jake Holmes (Linn Benton commit) single on a flyball that just dropped in, scoring Wideman. West Linn would go to add on to their lead in the 5th when ‘24 Mitchell Rowe (West Linn) scored on a throwing error from a Drake Gabel ground out. The Lions would hold on to their lead and eventually win the game for a repeat state championship title.

West Linn

Jesuit

 '23 Catcher Charlie Sturm (Chapman) 2-3 with an opposite field double

"The Chapman commit has a smaller framed, stocky build with good strength in his lower half. Hits from the ground up with a short to the ball stroke righthanded stroke and sneaky pop to the gaps. A firm receiver with strong forearms and has shown he can handle catching velocity while catching teammate Noble Meyer. Average thrower with a clean exchange and can move side to side to keep the ball in front. Expect enough offensive performance to stay in the lineup with a dependable glove behind the dish at the next level." - Alex Ross

'23 Ty Alleman (Santa Clara) 2-3 with a pair of singles.

'23 RHP Noble Meyer (Oregon) 6 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, 1 walk & 14 strikeouts.

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5A - WEst Albany vs thurston

The 5A state championship, held between the #2 Thurston Colts (27-3) and #4 West Albany Bulldogs (23-6), ended in exciting fashion with an extra innings walk off win for Thurston delivered by ‘26 Grady Saunders (Oregon State commit). The Colts wasted no time with back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the 1st from ’24 Adam Elliott and ’23 Maddox Molony (Oregon commit). The Bulldogs would answer back in the top of the 4th with a bases loaded fielders choice ground ball to short from ‘25 Kane Damon (West Albany), scoring ’23 Evan Bliss (West Albany). ’25 RHP Connor Molony (Oregon commit) got the ball for Thurston while ’25 RHP Drew Rice was the starter for West Albany. Both arms would battle it out, holding to a 1-1 score heading into the bottom of the 8th. Stepping up to the task was ’26 Grady Saunders (Oregon State commit) ended the game with a walk off inside-the-park homerun with a shot to deep right centerfield.

West Albany

'24 Mason Linton 2-3

'23 Evan Bliss 1-3, R

'25 Drew Rice 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K

Thurston

'23 Maddox Molony (Oregon) 2-3, 2B, RBI

'25 Kyle Miller 2-3

'26 Grady Saunders (Oregon State) 1-4, HR

'25 Connor Molony (Oregon) 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 3 K

 

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