By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
KEIZER, Ore.– Coming off of their 4-1 victory over Caldera last Friday, the South Salem baseball team knew the importance of starting their Central Valley Conference schedule was going to be.
And they did just that, coming out and sweeping McNary this week and capping the week with a 25-4 victory at McNary High School on Friday.
“Starting league play is really important for us. This is where we want to be at our best and play the best that we can,” said South Salem’s Kellen Bowman. “Just hit the ball like we’ve been hitting it. We’ve been hitting the ball really well, practicing it in the games, and it’s been a really good showing based on how many runs we’ve been scoring.”
Bowman pitched the opening three innings of the game, striking out six before Noah Scharer and Ben Hennan took over on the bump. Teagan Scott led the offense with four hits and four runs, hitting a solo home run in the game.
For McNary, it’s been a season of development. After graduating 12 seniors off of last year’s 6A State second round team, the Celtics have been trying to fill that void left by those seniors while taking advantage of the live reps that they are getting to hopefully set themselves up for success for the second half of this season and beyond.
“I feel like we’re building. We’re in the building phase right now. I feel like we’re not terrible, but we do have some rough spots,” said McNary’s Lucas Allen. “I feel like this is a great opportunity to play a good team, if not the best in the State. When I pitched yesterday, it was not too hot, but I know where I’m at right now. It’s a building point for us, and it’s a measuring stick.”
Allen, Kyle Wilson, and Holtohn Ritchey each drove in runs for the Celts in the series finale, Ritchey drove in a team-high two runs with a team-high three hits against the Saxons on Friday. Cash Martin struck out three batters in his start with Bryce Felbob striking out another two in relief.
McNary heads to play at Westview on Tuesday, South Salem will host Lincoln on Tuesday.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
