By Zach Thummel
Columbia Gorge News
HOOD RIVER — Hood River Valley (HRV) Little League made history July 21, capturing the 2026 Oregon Little League 9-11 Softball State Championship with a 14-3 victory over West Salem.
Managed by Jeremy Belcher and coached by Jon Bryan and Jared Gidley, HRV completed an undefeated run through the state tournament hosted by Keizer Little League from July 18-21. HRV outscored its four opponents, 71-22, earning HRV its first Oregon State Championship since 2011.
HRV wasted no time making its presence known in the tournament opener July 18 against a combined all-star team representing Tigard, Beaverton and Willow Creek Little Leagues. The HRV offense erupted for 22 runs on 17 hits in a 22-7 victory.
Jade Fogle collected four hits and drove in six runs. Back-to-back triples by Fogle and McKendree Guenther in the second inning helped break the game open. Scarlett Prideaux, Lydia Cervantes and Guenther also recorded multiple-hit performances, while Kate Gidley delivered another strong performance in the pitching circle.
HRV returned to the field later that day to face Pendleton and immediately jumped ahead, scoring five runs in the first inning. Guenther drove in the game’s first run with a groundout as the offense continued to pressure Pendleton throughout the game.
The biggest moment came in the top of the third inning when Fogle and Havona Belcher hit back-to-back home runs, putting the game firmly in HRV’s control. Prideaux continued her outstanding tournament at the plate with another multiple-hit performance as HRV earned its second victory of the day and advanced to the semifinal.
In game three, HRV faced West Salem and once again turned to Gidley in the circle. Gidley delivered one of her best performances of the tournament, pitching five innings, allowing only four hits and striking out ten batters. The game remained competitive until the fifth inning, when the HRV offense exploded for 12 runs.
Prideaux, Bronwyn Davis and Huntley Sprague each delivered timely hits that drove in runs during the decisive inning. The 17-5 victory sent Hood River Valley into the championship game undefeated and gave the team a day to rest and prepare for the state title.
After an off day, Hood River Valley returned to Keizer on July 21 for the championship with West Salem. West Salem battled through the elimination bracket to earn its place in the title game, but HRV quickly seized control. Penny Bryan got the HRV offense started in the opening inning with a bases-clearing double that scored three runs.
Later in the game, Kaleeya Keopasueth drove in two runs, while Nadia Valvodinos delivered a clutch triple in the third inning that brought home three more runs and extended Hood River Valley’s lead.
Gidley once again took the ball and delivered when her team needed her most. She faced 20 batters, allowed six hits and struck out eight, helping lead another outstanding defensive effort by HRV, winning 14-3.
As a team, Hood River Valley scored 71 runs while allowing just 22, completing an undefeated state tournament run.
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