Sherman County finishes baseball season

MORO - The No. 27-ranked Sherman High Huskies concluded a very successful season last week by advancing to the 20-team OSAA Class 2A/1A baseball state tournament for the first time in three years.

The Huskies had momentum too heading into the postseason after winning seven consecutive Special District 7 contests at the conclusion of the regular season. The Huskies swept a May 15 road doubleheader versus the Elgin/Imbler High Huskies (4-13) with a 1-0 win in the first game, followed by a Game 2 1-0 win at Elgin High School.

The two wins over Elgin/Imbler helped Sherman take third place in the nine-team SD7 standings with an 11-5 record (12-13 overall). Sherman, guided by longtime (20 years) Coach Joe Justesen, qualified for a May 25 first round playoff road game versus the No. 12-ranked Toledo High Boomers (16-8). The Sherman Huskies lost 11-1 to Elgin/Imbler to conclude their finest season since 2023.

"I was very excited to make the playoffs with a young team (five freshmen, two sophomores), but with three good seniors (Eli Pickard, Levi Collier, Caiden Walker) to help them get going at Sherman High School," said Justesen. "I was very happy with how our regular season ended on a seven-game win streak to put ourselves into the playoffs."

The Boomers, the second place team in SD4, took a 3-0 lead in the third after the matchup began with two scoreless frames. The Boomers then extended their advantage to 4-0 in the fourth.

The Huskies got on the scoreboard in the fifth on an RBI single by Walker, driving home freshman Levi Alsup to make it 4-1. Alsup earlier reached base on a walk.

The Boomers then took control of the contest as they scored four runs in the fifth, extending their lead to 8-1. The contest then concluded in the sixth, when the Boomers added three runs to go up 11-1 as the game ended early via the 10-run Mercy Rule. Toledo advanced to a May 27 second round contest and they lost 9-1 to the No. 6-ranked Myrtle Point Bobcats (17-6).

"All of the kids are good athletes and when they put their minds to it, they can do some good things," said Justesen. "I'm looking forward to seeing what the future brings for these kids, but it's always sad for sure to see the seniors go." 

The Huskies were outhit 5-1 and Walker (1-for-2) had their only hit. The Huskies allowed a total of 14 walks. The contest marked the conclusion of their Sherman High baseball career for Pickard, Collier and Walker.

"I'm really going to miss the seniors," said Justesen. "Caiden Walker was a starter for us as a freshman the last time we made the state playoffs."

The Huskies capped the season with very positive outlook too with five players being selected for SD7 All League Awards. Junior pitcher Drake Dark earned a first team award and junior Gage Simpson (designated hitter/utility) was selected for a first team award.

Walker capped his senior year with a second team infielder award. Freshman first baseman Creed Weedman earned a second team award. Alsup (catcher) also earned a second team award.