Until this year, spring had not been kind recently to Grant High School. The Generals lost in Round 1 of the 6A playoffs in 2022, 2023 and 2024, all by two runs or fewer.
The team broke through this year, winning not only in Round 1, but three more times as well. The Generals edged Roseburg in Round 2, then avenged regular-season losses to then-undefeated and top-seeded South Salem in the quarterfinals and Metro League champion Jesuit in the semifinals. As a result, Grant finds itself in the state championship game for the first time since winning its second in 1958. That’s right. There’s a 67-year gap between its last finals appearance and the game it will compete in on Saturday.
“It's an incredible feeling to be in the state championship game,” said Matt Kabza, Grant’s head coach for the past 13 years. “I feel so grateful that our players are getting the opportunity to have these types of experiences.”
Kabza said that having a dedicated coaching staff that has been together for several years helped the team finds its way over the hump.
“As a staff we continuously discuss how we can get a little bit better in all aspects of the program,” he explained. “We are always trying to get a little bit better. Little by little, a little becomes a lot.”
The summer also helped a ton. A critical mass from the team opted to play together in the offseason and they started winning a lot.
“We played in a lot of tournaments and we continued to make deep runs in those tournaments, often finding ourselves in the finals at the end of the weekend,” Kabza explained. “That's when I knew that this group had the potential to do something special. After that they continued to work to get better through the fall and winter, lifting and training together as a group.”
Grant started the 2025 season slowly. The Generals lost two games in Arizona over Spring Break, then came home to face a gauntlet of West Linn, South Salem and Jesuit, all in the same week. They lost all three games.
“Having a tough preseason schedule was intentional,” Kabza said. “I have believed all along that this team had the pieces to make a run in the playoffs; the question was could we put the pieces of the puzzle together? Matching up with those three strong programs in the same week gave our team an idea of where we needed to get to by the end of the season. We lost, but I think the players realized that they could compete with the best teams if we played our best baseball.”
Grant comes into the final as the hottest team in all of Oregon. The Generals have won 17 of their last 18 games, including 11 in a row. Their wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals avenged regular-season losses and knocked out the No. 1 and 3 seeds. They face a Sunset team in the finals that made the championship game last year. It’s just another hurdle for this Grant team, which has enjoyed celebrating its successes not only with one another, but with its secret sauce: the Grant community.
“The Grant community has been incredibly supportive as we have made this playoff run, which makes it so much more meaningful,” Kabza said. “The community is rallying together around this team. The outpouring of support and encouragement has been special. The fans showed up big time at Jesuit for us and that was awesome to see, I think it really helped our team. It's been a special year regardless of the results on Saturday. I couldn't be more proud of this team. This group has spent a lot of time together over the last four years. We get a few more practices and one more game together as a group. I'll make sure to remind them to enjoy these last few days together.”
6A Championship Final
Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Roto-Rooter Park, Keizer
Grant Generals (22-7) v. Sunset Apollos (21-9)
OSAA playoff rank: Grant 9, Sunset 11
Pre-season coaches poll rank: Grant not ranked; Sunset No. 1
Final coaches poll rank: Grant not ranked; Sunset No. 7
2024 records: Grant 19-8 (lost in Rd 1); Sunset 28-3 (lost in 6A final)
Head to head in 2025 regular season: Did not play
Grant
Number of state championships: 2
Last state championship: 1958
Last appearance in a state final: 1958
Total number of appearances before 2025: 2
Current winning streak: 11
Path to the finals: d. OSAA No. 24-ranked Forest Grove 6-0; d. No. 8 Roseburg 4-3; d. No. 1 South Salem 12-0; d. No. 5 Jesuit 8-2
Probable starting pitcher: Senior RHP Cooper Yudhishthu (8-1; 1.92 ERA; enjoys the big moment)
Top offensive players: Kaeden Cruse, Sr. INF (12 home runs); Elliot Raiton, Jr. DH (six HRs)
First Team All-League performers: Cruse (Player of the Year); Yudhishthu (Pitcher of the Year); Raiton (DH); Sr. 1B Diego Martinez Griffin’ Sr. C Brady McCarthy; Soph. INF Grant Snidow; Jr. RHP Jinki Tomita
Sunset
Number of state championships: 2
Last state championship: 1994
Last appearance in a state final: 2024
Total number of appearances before 2025: 3
Current winning streak: 4
Path to the finals: d. No. 22 Nelson 3-0; d. No. 8 Clackamas 3-1; d. No. 3 Central Catholic 6-5; d. No. 7 McMinnville 5-1
Probable starting pitcher: Junior RHP Parker Raubuch (5-2; 2.65 ERA; competitor who will command three pitches; started in the state final a year ago)
Top offensive players: reclassified Sr. 1B Kruz Schoolcraft (.476; 10 HRs); Sr. OH Gabe Coltman (team RBI leader with 37); Sr. DF Gavin Riley (clutch hitter batting .397)
First Team All-League performers: Schoolcraft (Pitcher of the Year); Coltman; Sr. C Dakota Chun
Game notes: After losing in the first round of the playoffs last year, Grant broke through to reach its first state championship final in 67 years. Experience may account for the deep run. The Generals are experienced, with six returning starting position players from last year’s team, including McCarthy, a four-year starter; and three-year starters Cruse and Martinez Griffin. Starting pitcher Yudhishthu was out injured most of last year and has been critical to team success this year, giving the Generals a strong 1-2 punch on the mound with Tomita. Grant comes into the game having won 11 in a row, the longest current streak among the 10 finalists. This includes revenge wins in the playoffs over South Salem and Jesuit. Grant is in the finals for the third time in school history. The previous two times, in 1951 and 1958, the Generals won and became state champions…
Sunset was dubbed by the coaches as the pre-season favorite to win 6A after reaching the finals last year. The Apollos, however, got off to a slow start, taking some tough losses in Arizona over Spring Break and being challenged by some key early-season injuries. Sunset played well upon its return to Oregon, but still finished two games behind Jesuit for the Metro League title. The team is now as healthy as it has ever been, but looks different than last year’s finalists, due to the graduation of five position players, including its middle infield. One constant, however, is Schoolcraft. The 6-8 1B/LHP is expected to be a top 10 pick in the July MLB draft and was recently named Oregon Gatorade POY for the second straight year. Schoolcraft hit nearly .500 on the year with power and is a key part of the Apollo staff that has pitched to a team ERA of 2.96 this season.
5A Championship Final
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Roto-Rooter Park, Keizer
Summit Storm (22-6) v. Canby Cougars (25-4)
OSAA playoff rank: Summit No. 5; Canby No. 3
Pre-season coaches poll rank: Summit, No. 2; Canby No. 6
Final coaches poll rank: Summit No. 5; Canby No. 3
2024 records: Summit 15-13 (lost in semifinals; Canby 25-4 (lost in quarterfinals)
Head to head in 2025 regular season: Did not play
Summit
Number of state championships: 1
Last state championship: 2016
Last appearance in a state final: 2016
Total number of appearances before 2025: 2
Current winning streak: 7
Path to the finals: d. No. 12 Hood River Valley 3-0; d. No. 13 Dallas 9-6; d. No. 1 Wilsonville 9-2
Probable starting pitcher: Undecided. Sr. RHP Alex Via is the staff ace, but will be limited to 25 pitches even if he does start. Sr. LHP Slater De Brun, Sr. RHP Carter Hess or Soph. Andrew Guthrie could also toe the rubber to start the game for the Storm.
Top offensive players: Sr. 2B Nolan Boehm is the leadoff hitter and table setter. Via, Hess and De Brun comprise a potent offensive outfield, Soph. C Riley Via and Sr. 3B Tanner McIntyre also have big-game potential
First Team All-League performers: will not be public until after the final game
Canby
Number of state championships: 0
Last state championship: None
Last appearance in a state final: 2022
Total number of appearances before 2025: 2
Current winning streak: 3
Path to the finals: d. No. 14 North Eugene 7-0; d. No. 6 La Salle Prep 14-10; d. No. 2 Thurston 2-0
Probable starting pitcher: Sr. RHP Brady Ackerman (8-1; 2.38 ERA; loves to compete)
Top offensive players: Sr. INF Hayden Davis (table setter at the top of the order); Ackerman, Sr. INF Colby Herren and Sr. INF Dylan Nelson each hit over .300 on the season.
First Team All-League performers: Soph. RHP Jack Brauckmiller (Pitcher of the Year); Ackerman; Herren; Nelson
Game notes: Canby was the No. 1 seed last year when it was upended, 5-2, by a Summit team that started the state playoffs a game above .500. The Cougars, with 16 seniors on their 18-player roster; will be motivated to avenge that loss and finish their careers on a high note. They grew up playing sports together and were freshmen when Canby surprised by making the 6A finals in 2022. What better way to go out than with the first baseball state title for the school…It’s been nine years since Summit reached, and won, a state championship playoff game. The Storm struggled early, as weather and field conditions limited their ability to practice; but they have won 20 of their last 23 games and finished second in the tough Intermountain Conference. The team has a collective batting average of .349 and team ERA of 2.36, a good balance of offense and defense. Summit will carry an underdog mentality into Saturday’s game. The Storm has eight seniors, most of whom have played together since age 9. “Although we have a few BIG names, it truly is a team that is led by someone different each game,” said Aaron Boehm, Summit’s head coach since 2023.
4A Championship Final
Saturday, 4 p.m., Roto-Rooter, Keizer
Pendleton / Nixyaawii Buckaroos (22-8) v. Marist Catholic Spartans (25-3)
OSAA playoff rank: Pendleton / Nixyaawii, No. 7; Marist Catholic, No. 1
Pre-season coaches poll rank: Pendleton / Nixyaawii, No. 5; Marist Catholic, No. 3
Final coaches poll rank: Pendleton / Nixyaawii, No. 7; Marist Catholic, No. 1
2024 records: Pendleton / Nixyaawii 18-10 (lost in quarterfinals); Marist Catholic 20-10 (lost in finals)
Head to head in 2025 regular season: Did not play
Pendleton / Nixyaawii
Number of state championships: 0
Last state championship: None
Last appearance in a state final: 2023
Total number of appearances before 2025: 6
Current winning streak: 6
Path to the finals: d. No. 10 North Bend 8-0; d. No. 2 Junction City 9-6; d. No. 3 Scappoose 10-2
Probable starting pitcher: Sr. RHP Evan Lehnert (10-1; 0.74 ERA; dominating, with a four-pitch mix he can throw any time and anywhere)
Top offensive players: Sr. 3B Colson Primus (one of the top run producers in the state); Sr. OF Mason Strong (base stealing threat); Jr. OF Colin Harrington; Jr. C Vance Nelson; Sr. 2B Art Hill
First Team All-League performers: Lehnert (Player of the Year); Primus; Strong; Hill; Nelson; Sr. 1B Jacob Neistadt
Marist Catholic
Number of state championships: 0
Last state championship: None
Last appearance in a state final: 2024
Total number of appearances before 2025: 3
Current winning streak: 10
Path to the finals: d. No. 16 North Marion / Gervais 5-4; d. No. 8 Molalla 13-3; d. No. 5 Henley 7-5
Probable starting pitcher: Jr. RHP Gianni Lombardi (7-1; 1.50 ERA; good fastball complements tough off speed arsenal)
Top offensive players: Sr. CF Cash Andrus (.448 average with good speed); Lombardi (hitting .415 with 44 RBIs, which is third in the state); Sr. INF Niko Leyba (on-base machine with good speed)
First Team All-League performers: Lombardi (Pitcher of the Year); Andrus; Leyba; Sr. INF Tanner Mullens; Soph. C Grady Hazen; Sr. LHP Raith Huffman
Game notes: Pendleton / Nixyaawii was in the state final back in 2023 and led Scappoose, 2-1, before giving up 11 unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Last year’s Buckaroos made the quarterfinal round where it fell by 10 runs, 14-4, to the same Marist Catholic team they will face on Saturday. Pendleton is the highest-scoring team in 4A this year, averaging more than eight runs a game. It also may be the smartest, having won the Academic All-State Award for 4A team GPA. Undefeated in the Greater Oregon League, the Bucks lost only to one 4A school, St. Helens, all year. This is a team whose players can usually be found on the golf course when not playing baseball…Marist Catholic is making a return trip to the state championship game after losing to Scappoose, 5-4, last year, a game that saw the Spartans hit the ball hard but right at the defense more often than not. Marist has never won a state championship in baseball, but has a great chance with a well-balanced team that hits around .360 and scores over eight runs per game of offense; and one that gives up only about three runs a contest on the mound.
3A Championship Final
Saturday, 12 noon, Champion Car Wash Field, Roseburg
Cascade Christian Challengers (24-6) v. Blanchet Catholic Cavaliers (28-2)
OSAA playoff rank: Cascade Christian, No. 2; Blanchet Catholic No. 1
Pre-season coaches poll rank: Cascade Christian, No. 9; Blanchet Catholic No. 4
Final coaches poll rank: Cascade Christian, No. 3; Blanchet Catholic No. 1
2024 records: Cascade Christian, 20-8 (lost Rd 2); Blanchet Catholic 27-2 (lost in 2A/1A semifinals)
Head to head in 2025 regular season: Did not play
Cascade Christian
Number of state championships: 1
Last state championship: 2012
Last appearance in a state final: 2023
Total number of appearances before 2025: 4
Current winning streak: 3
Path to the finals: d. No. 15 Creswell 10-4; d. No. 7 South Umpqua 6-5; d. No. 3 Warrenton 3-2
Probable starting pitcher: One of two freshmen, Blake Patereau or Andy Alvarez. Patereau is 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA; Alvarez, who stands 6-5, is 5-3 with a 2,73 ERA and was the team’s No.2 pitcher during league play
Top offensive players: Soph. INF Bryson Walker (batting .388; leadoff hitter with speed); Sr. SS CJ Bonner (.436; run producer who can also steal a bag); Soph. C Grady Sickler (.467; power threat with 43 RBIs); Patereau (.417; was team’s top hitter the first month before a back injury sidelined him for most of league play)
First Team All-League performers: Sickler (as pitcher and catcher); Walker; Bonner
Blanchet Catholic
Number of state championships: 0
Last state championship: none
Last appearance in a state final: 2023 (2A/1A)
Total number of appearances before 2025: 1
Current winning streak: 3
Path to the finals: d. No. 16 Yamhill-Carlton 30-5; d. No. 8 Burns / Crane 6-1; d. No. 4 Taft 2-1
Probable starting pitcher: Carson McNally (8-2; 1.90 ERA; plus fastball and knows how to get through a lineup)
Top offensive players: Sr. INF Noah Hancock (table setter hitting .559); Sr. INF Drew Bartels (.539 with eight home runs); Sr. C Dylan Cuff (.538 with six home runs and 62 RBIs)
First Team All-League performers: Bartels (Player of the Year); Cuff; McNally; Sr. OF Mitch Wort; Sr. OF Tyson Smith
Game notes: Cascade Christian is a very young team with only three seniors on the 15-player roster. The Challengers are in the championship game for the first time since losing two years ago to Banks, 3-0. Advancing to the championship game this year, including knocking off defending champion Warrenton in the semis; is a surprise given that Cascade Christian graduated all of its pitching and its most significant offensive pieces from last year’s team. The Challengers are the second highest-scoring team in 3A. The hit .313 as a team and their staff has limited opponents to a .205 average…Blanchet Catholic is playing in 3A this year after being a 2A/1A team in 2024 and in 2023, when it lost to Kennedy in the championship game. Last year’s Cavalier team lost just twice and made the 2A/1A semifinals under coach David Winstead, who passed away July 1 at age 56, one year after being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Jason Black has taken over the program and has the top-seeded Cavaliers at the top of their game. They have scored more runs than anyone in 3A while giving up the second-fewest runs, with a team ERA of 1.9. This is a tight-knit team with 11 seniors whose only losses came to 4A finalist Marist Catholic on the final Thursday of the regular season.
2A/1A Championship Final
Saturday, 10:30 a.m., PK Park, Eugene
Umpqua Valley Christian Monarchs (27-4) v. Kennedy Trojans (26-3)
OSAA playoff rank: Umpqua Valley Christian, No. 1; Kennedy, No. 2
Pre-season coaches poll rank: Umpqua Valley Christian, No. 1; Kennedy, No. 3
Final coaches poll rank: Umpqua Valley Christian, No. 1; Kennedy, No. 2
2024 records: Umpqua Valley Christian 26-5 (state champion); Kennedy 21-7 (lost in quarterfinals)
Head to head in 2025 regular season: Did not play
Umpqua Valley Christian
Number of state championships: 4
Last state championship: 2024
Last appearance in a state final: 2024
Total number of appearances before 2025: 7
Current winning streak: 4
Path to the finals: d. No. 16 Lost River 12-2; d. No. 8 Irrigon 16-0; d. No. 4 Knappa 6-0
Probable starting pitcher: Soph. RHP Teagan Sprague; Sr. RHP Logan Anderson or Sr. RHP Ty Hellenthal. Sprague has the best pure stuff on the staff. Anderson and Hellenthal have pitched to sub-1.00 ERAs this year.
Top offensive players: UVC has four hitting over .400: Sprague (.485); Soph. UTIL Ryan Shaver (.465),; Anderson (.438) and Hellenthal (.418).
First Team All-League performers: Hellenthal (as pitcher); Anderson (INF); Sprague (INF); Shaver (Utility); Soph. OF Caleb York; Soph. 1B Max Chrisenbery
Kennedy
Number of state championships: 3
Last state championship: 2023
Last appearance in a state final: 2023
Total number of appearances before 2025: 5
Current winning streak: 4
Path to the finals: d. No. 15 Heppner / Ione 6-1; d. No. 7 Monroe / Alsea 11-4; d. No. 19 Portland Christian 8-3
Probable starting pitcher: Either Jr. RHP Henry Beyer (9-2) or Jr. RHP Gio Vaquera (4-0). Both are strike throwers..
Top offensive players: Soph. UTIL Creo Walker (team BA leader); Jr. UTIL Brody Panuke (leads team in runs scored); Sr. INF Kody Graves (run producer); Beyer (one of the team’s RBI leaders); Sr. C Rylee Walker (leadoff hitter and natural leader)
First Team All-League performers: not announced
Game notes: Umpqua Valley Christian will be making its eighth appearance in the state final since 2002. The Monarchs have won four times during that span, including last year, when they won a shootout with Knappa, 13-9. This year’s team, with seven seniors, has been No. 1 in 2A/1A all season long and has played with no regard to the target on its collective backs. UVC has scored more runs than anyone in 2A/1A and had yielded fewer runs than anyone, with 14 shutouts for good measure. The 250-run difference between runs scored and allowed means that the Monarchs win games on average by a whopping eight runs…Kennedy, the 2A/1A champions in 2022 and 2023, is back in the title game for the third time in four years. The Trojans are a young squad, with just two seniors; and are known for throwing strikes, playing good defense and demonstrating discipline at the plate. Kennedy started the 2025 season by winning 18 games in a row, but went just 5-3 over its last eight to close the regular season. The Trojans have picked it up in the post-season. Veteran coach Kevin Moffatt thinks his team will be the underdogs in this match up, but says his squad is playing good baseball right now and “anything can happen in a one-game matchup.”
johnt@osaa.org
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