THE DALLES — The Dalles High Riverhawks OSAA Class 4A baseball team opened its 27-game season last week, splitting two nonleague home games at Quinton Street Ballpark.
The Riverhawks (1-1) won their opener, 15-5, over the Class 3A Valley Catholic High Valiants (1-2) in a contest shortened to five innings via the 10-run mercy rule. The Riverhawks dominated the matchup by capitalizing on six Valiant errors and displaying a 12-hit attack. The Dalles took a 9-0 lead after two innings and scored in every inning to pull away. The Riverhawks played solid defense with just one error, and they only allowed the Valiants seven hits.
In a matchup between two 2025 state playoff teams, the Riverhawks then faced No. 11-ranked Stayton High (2-1) and lost, 10-2, on March 20. The Riverhawks struggled offensively and fell behind 7-0 after four innings. The Eagles capitalized on seven Riverhawk errors and outhit the Riverhawks, 9-7.
The Riverhawks have a tough nonleague schedule. Their next scheduled contest is March 26 at home at 6:30 p.m. versus the Philomath High Warriors (1-1), a 2025 state playoff squad. They’ll follow that contest with a non-league noon matchup March 27 against the Tillamook High Cheesemakers (0-1). Then, The Dalles will play a nonleague road game March 31 versus the No. 5-ranked La Grande High Tigers (1-0), marking their third straight contest against a 2025 state playoff team.
The very young Riverhawk squad includes four freshman, five sophomores, two juniors and two seniors — Evan Ortega and Hunter Bustos. The Riverhawks are seeking to reach the state playoffs for a second straight season this year. The Riverhawks will begin their 12-game Tri-Valley Conference schedule April 23 against the Madras High White Buffaloes (1-1).
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