By Zach Thummel
Columbia Gorge News
THE GORGE — The Columbia Gorge Hustlers 18U A Legion baseball team finished its 2026 season with a 23-13 overall record and a day four appearance in the Oregon Single A State Tournament.
The Hustlers, led by head coach Pat Clark, played 14 games against AAA Legion or 18U scout teams, including the AAA State Champion Portland Barbers and defending Washington state champion Yakima Valley Pepsi Pak. The Gorge picked up wins over the Vencer 18U Scout team, AAA Baseballism Wet Sox, AAA Yakima Beetles and AAA Salem Dodgers.
Other than three graduated seniors, the Gorge squad was made up of 2028/29 grads. The roster was about a 50/50 split between The Dalles and Hood River Valley players, with the two coaches from each school.
The program was able to successfully field two teams this summer, with the Junior Hustlers 16U group completing a full schedule. The Junior Hustlers finished with a 10-13 record; Clark said the team’s roster was split between The Dalles and Hood River players.
“We believe the synergy between the two programs that we started this summer will pay dividends for years to come,” said Clark. “The future of the program is bright. We are excited about embracing Gorge baseball.”
On the mound, Clark said pitching coach Taylor Plesha (HRV) did a tremendous job with the rotation, helping guide the Hustlers to a 2.63 team ERA over the summer.
The Dalles’ Gunner Bustos finished with a 0.984 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and a 6-3 record through 42.2 innings pitched; Hood River’s Bodie Stuben finished with a 0.913 ERA through 30.2 innings pitched; and Hood River’s Landen Pratt finished with 53 strikeouts through 29.1 innings pitched.
From the plate, the Hustlers finished with a .281 batting average on the year, a .428 on-base percentage, 262 hits, 187 RBI, 254 runs scored, 203 walks, 98 stolen bases and four home runs.
Standout performers included: Stuben, who finished with a .355 batting average through 93 at-bats; The Dalles/Dufur’s Chase Peterson, who finished with a .317 batting average through 63 at-bats; Hood River’s Trevor Jacobs, who finished with a .290 batting average through 93 at-bats; Gunner Bustos, who finished with a .283 batting average through 106 at-bats; and The Dalles’ Kale Beardmore, who also finished with a .283 batting average through 92 at-bats.
Other notable performances include The Dalles’ Zeke Cervantes, who finished with a .519 on-base percentage; McAdam, who led the team with two home runs; Bustos, who led the team with 26 RBI; and Beardmore, who led the team in walks and stolen bases with 29 and 20, respectively.
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