Diamond Fever: Local high schools begin league play in baseball & softball
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON — Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack…that’s right, high school baseball and softball is underway.
While most teams began their season’s in March, this week marks not only the beginning of a new month but also the beginning of league play.
In the 4A Greater Oregon League, Both La Grande and Baker baseball and softball begin league play with doubleheaders in Baker on Tuesday, April 2nd. La Grande softball is off to a scorching start, with a 5-0 record and ranked No. 3 in the state. Baker softball is currently 3-5.
Pendleton softball sits behind La Grande with a 5-2 record, while Ontario is currently last in the league at 1-3. The Buckaroos have several more non-league games this week before playing Ontario on Tuesday, April 9.
In baseball, The Tigers sit at 2-2, while Baker is looking for a win, with a 1-7 record to start its 2024 campaign. A different story for Ontario baseball, as the Tigers have roared to a 7-0 start of the season. Pendleton is in the middle of the GOL pack with a 2-7 record. The Bucks also start GOL play next week against Ontario.
In the 3A Special District 4, powerhouse Burns softball is off to another terrific start. The two-time defending champion Highlanders are 6-2 so far this season and begin league play Thursday against Enterprise/Joseph/Wallowa, which has also started strong with a 5-2 record.
On the flip side in baseball, E/J/W currently has the best record at 5-2, matching the softball program.
In the 2A/1A Special District 7 softball, Weston-McEwen/Griswold is off to a great start, with 4-0 record and ranked No. 1 in the state. The TigerScots begin league play on Tuesday, April 2 against 5-2 Pilot Rock/Nixyaawii. Defending champs Grant Union/Prairie City is right on the TigerScots heels with a 5-1 start and ranked No. 2. They’ll begin league play this weekend, Saturday 6 against Echo/Stanfield.
In baseball, Pilot Rock is currently atop the standings at 4-2, but close behind is Irrigon and
Sherman / Condon / Arlington / Wheeler, both at 3-1.
