THE DALLES — After reaching the Class 4A baseball state quarterfinals a second straight year in 2024, The Dalles High Riverhawks are hoping to continue their recent success and focus on making it to the quarterfinals or advance even further in the playoffs this year.
The defending Tri-Valley Conference (TVC) champion Riverhawks have an experienced team with seven seniors and 14 returning players from a squad that finished 21-8 and earned a No. 7 OSAA ranking at the end of the 2024 season.
The Riverhawks, guided by third-year Coach Pat Clark, have another solid that will be led by a senior quartet of returning TVC first team all-league players in Avery Schwartz (pitcher), Will Booth (pitcher), Finley Corbin (outfielder) and second-team recipient Cody Agidius (infielder). Clark’s assistant coaches include Ed Ortega, Bailey Ortega and Tim Foley.
Clark said: “We have a core of returning hitters who are all capable of doing damage any time they step into the batter’s box. Our offense will rely heavily on Booth, Schwartz, Corbin, Agidius and Trey Hodges. I expect that junior Evan Ortega will have a breakout season and be a major contributor to our offensive production.”
Sophomore Sawyer Dray and freshmen Kale Beardmore and Daylee Miller will also be key contributors to the defense, as they’ll also help provide the Riverhawks with a strong rotation of pitchers. Other players who are expected to make contributions offensively and defensively for the Riverhawks include senior Trace Larson, Dufur High School senior Sonny Wilson, and juniors Hunter Bustos and Hudson Case.
Clark said: “We expect the team to find success starting with pitching and defense. We feel our starting pitching is as good as anyone in the 4A classification. Avery and Will both have the potential to dominate opposing lineups. Trey is a high-percentage strike thrower, who has gotten stronger and he’s throwing harder than he did last season. We have put heavy emphasis in practice on defense and we expect to win a lot of games.”
The Riverhawks begin a 27-game schedule with a 4:30 p.m. nonleague, season-opening home matchup March 19 versus the Class 3A Riverside High Pirates (4-16 in 2024). The Dalles will follow with 4 p.m. nonleague contest March 20 versus a 2024 4A state playoff team in the La Grande High Tigers (12-10 in 2024) at Quinton Street Ballpark. The Riverhawks will play in a tournament in Arizona during Spring Break (March 24-28).
“As a coaching staff, we fully expect the team to compete for a back-to-back Tri-Valley Conference championship,” said Clark. “We believe the TVC is a very competitive league and I have a ton of respect for the other coaches and programs. We believe the team has the potential for a deep playoff run and we’re looking forward to another fun season of baseball.”
A highlight of the schedule is an April 1 Gorge rivalry matchup versus the Class 5A Hood River Valley High Eagles (9-17 in 2024) in Hood River. The Riverhawks had a breakthrough win in the longtime series with their local rival a year ago, snapping an eight-year, 17-game losing streak to HRV.
The Riverhawks begin their 15-game TVC schedule April 14 at home versus the Crook County High Cowboys (13-2 TVC, 19-7 overall in 2024).
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