The Dalles senior Trey Hodges (4) makes a throw to first base in the top of the second inning against La Grande on March 20 in The Dalles. Hodges also runs track for the Riverhawks.
The Dalles junior Evan Ortega (14) takes a swing at a pitch against La Grande on March 20.
Noah Noteboom photo
The Dalles senior Avery Schwartz (12) eyes the La Grande baserunner on third.
Noah Noteboom photo
The Dalles senior Trey Hodges (4) makes a throw to first base in the top of the second inning against La Grande on March 20 in The Dalles. Hodges also runs track for the Riverhawks.
Noah Noteboom photo
Corbin (7) rounds third base against La Grande on March 20.
Noah Noteboom photo
The Dalles senior Finley Corbin (7) congratulates senior Avery Schwartz (12) after he hit a double against La Grande on March 20 in The Dalles.
THE DALLES — The Dalles High Riverhawks opened their Class 4A baseball season by winning their first two nonleague games at home last week.
The Riverhawks won 13-6 over the Class 3A Riverside High Pirates (1-2) in a March 19 game. The Riverhawks built a 7-0 second-inning advantage to take control of the contest.
The Dalles’ quartet of pitchers — Trey Hodges, Evan Ortega, Daylee Miller and Hunter Bustos — combined for 12 strikeouts.
The Riverhawks out-hit the Pirates, 10-6. The Dalles was led offensively by sophomore Sawyer Dray (1-for-2, RBI), seniors Will Booth (1-for-2, RBI), Avery Schwartz (2-for-4, RBI) and Dufur High freshman Chase Peterson (1-for-4, RBI).
The Riverhawks followed with come-from-behind, 6-5, victory March 20 over the La Grande High Tigers (0-1), a 2024 Class 4A state playoff team. Following a 2-2 first-inning deadlock, the Riverhawks fell behind 5-2 in the third. After a scoreless fourth frame, the Riverhawks had a four-run, fifth inning rally to go on top 6-5.
The Riverhawks outhit the Tigers, 10-7, and they were led offensively by senior Finley Corbin (3-for-4), Booth (1-for-4, RBI), Dray (1-for-3, RBI), Schwartz (1-for-3, two RBI), and Peterson (2-for-3, RBI).
Schwartz, the Riverhawks’ starting pitcher, struck out four in three innings pitched before giving way to Hodges and Booth in relief efforts.
The Riverhawks are playing in a spring break tournament in Arizona this week. They’ll return home and play Class 5A Hood River Valley (1-0) in a Gorge Rivalry contest at 5 p.m. April 1 in Hood River.
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