Players and coaches spend so much time with one another during the regular season to the point of developing friendships and a togetherness.
Such is the case for the Columbia Gorge Hustlers, who had their season cut short Saturday after two losses by scores of 7-2 and 13-2 to the Salem Dirtbags in American Legion Super Regionals baseball play at Dallas High School.
The two setbacks ended a season, but also ended baseball careers for Kellen Mathisen, Colton Walker, Bailey Ortega, Peyton Eaton, Colin Noonan and Boston Bate, and Hood River players Dallas Buckley and Patrick Harvey.
Hustler co-head coach Jeff Justesen was thankful for the opportunity to work with athletes he has been around for the past decade.
“The Hustlers program is really going to miss the guys who are moving on,” Justesen said. “The kids from The Dalles have been playing together a long time and have played many, many games together beginning in Little League and through the American Legion program. Patrick Harvey and Dallas Buckley were league rivals, but those guys put aside any differences they may have had to become teammates and compete alongside each other.”
In the opening game, the Dirtbags jumped ahead 3-0 through one inning of play, and rode that early surge for a 7-2 win.
The Hustlers had seven hits and received three walks, but stranded seven base runners, including two in the top of the ninth inning.
“After a rough first inning in Game 1, we settled in and played a great game,” coach Justesen said. “Coaches often say this, but we really did hit the ball well. We probably had six or seven balls that were either hit right at guys or balls that they made great plays on.”
Kolbe Bales had two hits and a walk, Harvey and Colton Walker had a hit and a run scored apiece, and Johnny Miller drove in a run.
On the mound, Walker tossed five innings of eight-hit ball with three strikeouts and a walk.
All six runs allowed were earned.
Bales finished the final three innings of relief and gave up one earned run with four strikeouts and three walks.
In the nightcap, Salem led 1-0 through one inning and led 8-1 entering the eighth frame, and then added two runs in the eighth and three in the ninth in a 13-2 win.
The pitching trio of Bales, Harvey and William Justesen scattered eight hits and issued six walks and allowed 13 runs, eight earned in nine innings.
Bales got the starting nod and gave up four earned runs on two hits with three walks to earn the loss.
“In Game 2, the coaching staff made a decision to keep going with Bales,” Justesen said. “He started strong, but the combination of pitch count in Game 1 and the break in between games, allowed him to get to just the third inning. Patrick Harvey came in and did a nice job in relief, but the offense struggled to hit the ball and we couldn't get back into the game.”
Buckley, Colin Noonan and Daniel Peters had a hit each to lead the Hustlers’ three-hit attack.
Buckley and Peters scored a run, Morgan Williams and Noonan had an RBI, and the team posted 13 strikeouts.
“Except for maybe for the last few innings of Game 2, we really competed hard against a really good team,” coach Justesen said. “I fully expect that the Dirtbags will contend for the state title during the tournament that begins on Wednesday this week. They play hard, are well-coached and just have roster full of really good baseball players.”
The Columbia Gorge Hustlers were able to move into the Super Regionals after winning four of their last five games and were two wins away from vaulting into the Oregon State Tournament.
Justesen and fellow coach Ed Ortega and Doug Sawyer assembled a roster of 18 at the start of the summer season, and ended up with 12 athletes.
“The coaching staff is really proud of the efforts of this team,” coach Justesen said. “The guys that were left at the end of the season can hold their heads high that they stuck it out and ended the season competing hard against a really good team.”
As a handful of Hustler baseball players exit stage left for their careers, the door is still open for the returning athletes to take the mantle for future accomplishments.
“The veterans love for the game will have a positive effect on the younger guys in the program like John Miller, Dan Peters, William Justesen, Kolbe Bales and Morgan Williams,” coach Justesen said. “Those younger guys learned what it takes to prepare and compete at this level. Passing down that joy for the game and the years of knowledge will pay dividends to the program for years to come.”
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