HOOD RIVER — The Hood River Little League baseball major league all-stars competed in the 2026 Oregon state tournament in Clackamas July 25-31, winning one of three games.
The team, led by head Coach Russ Gray and assistants Nate Clark and Jake Williams, is the ninth team in history to make it to the state tournament from Hood River, and the first since 2010.
The weekend started with a big win vs. Del Norte Little League on July 25. The local boys scored 15 runs and won by the mercy rule after three innings. Easton Gray and Kai Agnor had big days at the plate, as both collected three hits. Agnor added two RBI and Gray had four. Hood River finished with 13 hits.
Gray was on the mound for all three innings and shut down Del Norte from the get-go. Gray faced 10 batters, striking out four with no walks. Del Norte’s first batter had the lone hit for the Northern California team.
A day later, on Sunday, things got more difficult as Hood River faced Bend North. Tough pitching from Bend limited Hood River to three hits in the 5-0 Bend win. Agnor, McCoy Williams and Zane Nance threw for Hood River. Hood River combined to give up five hits and five runs while only walking one in the game. Williams collected four strikeouts in three innings of work. Bend North went on to win the state title.
In the elimination game on July 27, Hood River lost 7-2 to North Portland. North Portland put up five runs in the last two innings. Easton Gray and Asher Rust added some quality hitting with a double apiece. Hood River collected six hits total, with Williams, Rogan Lemieux and Ryder Crowley contributing. Nance started on the mound and threw two scoreless innings.
“The coaches and parents are extremely proud of the way the boys handled all their wins and losses,” said coach Gray. “The future is bright for HRV baseball, as most of these boys will be heading to the big field next year. Special thanks to all the volunteers of HRVLL, including coaches, umpires, and board members.
“Little League is strong and growing in Hood River, which is a great sign for the future of our sport in the valley.”
Commented