By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
DALLAS, Ore.– For the eight seniors on this year’s Dallas Baseball squad, they’ve seen the program they joined four years ago developed leaps and bounds over the course of the time they’ve been in High School.
As freshman, they won seven games before winning 12 the next two years before breaking the playoff drought the program had this year and having a chance to crack 20 victories for the first time in a long while. Their 19 wins currently are the most the program has won since 2015.
The team has bought in. Mentally and physically. They all grew up with one another as well, growing that team chemistry and leadership roles that have finally paid off this season as they now look to extend their season into next week.
“It’s been great to see the program build up. We came in here, and it wasn’t too great, but over the years, guys come in and get better and excel,” said Eli Hess.
“The last four years, it’s been the same group of kids just growing up. We’re growing mentally strong. There’s a higher role of leadership on this team…one through nine, everyone is their own leader and gets the job done,” adds Eli Sledge.
This season has been the first time since 2017 that the program has made it to the postseason. Their 11-10 victory over Ridgeview on Tuesday was their first playoff victory since that season.
“That was a fun baseball game, one of the most fun ones I’ve been a part of. It definitely shows that we’ve got a long way to go,” starts Sledge.
The Dragons will make the trip once again over the hill on Friday, this time to play Summit on Bend in the 5A State Quarterfinals. A win there will send Dallas to the State Semifinals for the first time since 1992 when they fell to Douglas 3-0 in the then 3A State Playoffs on the old 1A-4A system.
To make it happen, Dallas will turn to what has gotten them to this point. Playing clean, and together, baseball.
“Just keep fighting like we did (Tuesday). We were down the first half of the game, and then we battled back, so just keep putting the pressure on Summit, and we’ll get the job done,” said Hess.
First pitch Friday is scheduled for 5pm over Summit High School in Bend.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
