Umatilla County teams to battle for state softball titles

UMATILLA COUNTY – Two local softball teams are aiming to bring state championships back to Umatilla County this weekend. The Pendleton Buckaroos and the Weston-McEwen/Griswold TigerScots will compete in their respective championships in Eugene with everything on the line. 

4A State Championship – Pendleton vs. Henley

No. 3 Pendleton (28-2) will face No. 1 Henley (29-2) of Klamath Falls in the 4A state softball championship. Pendleton, appearing in its seventh final since 2011, has won titles in 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Henley, with eight finals appearances since 2008, has titles from 1989 and 2017. The teams last met in the 2023 semifinals, where Henley won 11-10 in eight innings.

Henley’s pitcher Annie Campos, the 4A girls basketball player of the year, has had a stellar senior season with a 2.43 ERA and 203 strikeouts. Pendleton boasts a high-powered offense, averaging 12.2 runs per game, led by Avery Krigbaum and Reese Furstenberg. Coach Tim Cary, with 439 career wins, seeks his fifth state title.

The Buckaroos will try and bring home another trophy on Saturday at noon at Jane Sanders Stadium at the University of Oregon. 

2A/1A State Championship – Weston-McEwen/Griswold vs. Grant Union/Prairie City

No. 2 Weston-McEwen/Griswold (21-4) will take on No. 1 Grant Union/Prairie City (24-4) in the 2A/1A state championship. This is a rematch of last year’s final, where Grant Union won 10-0. The TigerScots, 0-3 in finals, won the district title by sweeping Grant Union in a doubleheader.

Weston-McEwen’s dramatic playoff run includes late-inning victories against Blanchet Catholic and Willamina. Hailey Stallings and Bre Ward lead the offense and share pitching duties. Grant Union’s Drew Williams has struck out 208 in 109 innings with a 1.09 ERA.  The TigerScots/Grizzlies will look to bring home their first-ever state championship when they face the Prospectors on Friday at 5:00pm at Jane Sanders Stadium.

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Elkhorn Media Group

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