Storm Baseball Sweeps Southwestern, Qualifies for Playoffs

In game one, a thrilling baseball contest unfolded between Chemeketa and Southwestern Oregon, with the former seizing a narrow 6-5 victory. 

Chemeketa's offense was quick to make its presence known in the first inning when C. Leming capitalized on a wild pitch to score an unearned run, setting the tone for the day. In the top of the fourth inning Chemeketa scored two more with N. Crawford and C. Leming scoring on a B. Hubble double.  In the bottom of the fourth inning Southwestern Oregon managed to turn the tide with a four-run rally. This surge was initiated by J. Kister, who reached base on an error, allowing B. Benedicts to score. Subsequent contributions from M. Rogers, C. Collins, and T. Gray allowed Southwestern Oregon to seize a 4-3 lead.  The bottom of the fifth saw Southwestern Oregon get another run as R. Okimoto scored on a D. Furuhata double taking a 5-3 lead into the top of the sixth inning.   Chemeketa's N. Crawford knocked in a crucial RBI single, scoring L. Kreisberg igniting a comeback. Jc. Klee then delivered a decisive two-RBI double, scoring W. Hooper and N. Crawford, propelling Chemeketa to a 6-5 lead.

Despite Southwestern Oregon's robust 13-hit performance, they couldn't muster additional runs, leaving multiple runners stranded on base. Chemeketa's pitching staff, with Ja. Klee, M. Eaton, and L. Kreisberg, held firm, with Eaton and Kreisberg combining to shut down Southwestern Oregon in the final innings.

Game two saw Chemeketa delivered an impressive performance against Southwestern Oregon, sealing a dominant 10-3 win. 

From the outset, Southwestern Oregon took an early lead in the first inning with B. Benedicts' RBI single, bringing C. DeSilva home. However, the advantage was short-lived as Chemeketa quickly responded with a four-run second inning, aided by multiple errors from Southwestern Oregon's defense. After B. Hubble and W. Hooper reached base, Jc. Klee reached base on an error that scored B. Hubble tying the game.  T. Brenneman, also reached base on another Southwestern Oregon error scoring W. Hooper.  J. Genduso was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded scoring Jc. Klee, and T. Brenneman scored on a groundout.  The final run of the inning was scored by B. Hubble on a Jc. Klee single, giving Chemeketa a 5-1 advantage.  The bottom of the third saw Southwestern respond with two runs of their own by C. DeSilva and A Yazawa making the score 5-3 Chemeketa.  In the top of the fourth L. Kreisberg hit a 3 run homer that also scored J. Genduso and C. Leming, which was followed by W. Hooper doubling to score N. Crawford giving Chemeketa a 9-3 lead.  In the fifth Chemeketa tacked on another run when a N. Crawford singe scored J. Genduso and giving Chemeketa the final 10-3 lead. 

On the mound, Chemeketa's C. Stortro secured the win, delivering a solid performance across three innings despite allowing three runs. T. Rock followed with three scoreless innings, while A. Yost effectively closed out the game.

These two wins secured a top four finish for Chemeketa and thus a spot in the NWAC baseball playoffs which will begin on 5/16/25.