In back-to-back years, The Dalles baseball team had its playoff hopes riding on outside elements.
Last season, a coin flip determined the Riverhawks’ postseason fate.
On Friday the 13th, the Hawks had solid pitching performances by seniors Colton Walker and Bailey Ortega and scored a 6-3 triumph over the defending state champions and the state’s No. 2-ranked baseball program.
However, moments after the exhilaration of picking up a victory, the players received news that Pendleton had hung on for a 2-1 win over Hermiston to secure the Columbia River Conference’s final playoff spot.
“I was really happy for these guys to get that win today. They really deserved it,” said TD head coach J.R. Runyon. “Unfortunately, on the other end of that, with the Pendleton win and that being the end for us, it is too bad because I think this team would have done pretty well in the playoffs. We were just starting to find our identity. I feel bad for the guys.”
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the second inning, the Riverhawks took advantage of wild pitching to score all the run they would need.
The Hawks sent 10 batters to the plate and were issued five walks and were the beneficiaries of three Hood River errors.
Dawson Hoffman and Cash Mathewson had RBI walks, Walker had an RBI groundout, Ortega scored on a wild pitch and Dylan DesRochers and Mathewson scored on throwing errors.
Down six runs in the third inning, Hood River rallied for three runs on four hits, as a two-run double by Kellan Duffy capped the frame to bring the Eagles to within 6-3.
That was as close as they would get.
Walker finished the next two innings unscathed, and Ortega tossed two innings of scoreless relief on 26 pitches, retiring Chase Lariza on a strikeout to end the game.
Walker walked four and struck out three in his five innings of work. The right-hander allowed three runs, all earned, on four hits.
Ortega notched his second save of the season.
Although Walker won his last game in a Riverhawk uniform over one of the best teams in the state, it was an emotional moment finding out that his season would not extend into the playoffs.
“I can’t be more proud of the team that I’ve had and all of the kids I have played with and all of the kids that I have grown up with. It is bittersweet,” Walker said. “I am glad that I had a chance to end my senior season on a win against our rivals and the kids we grown up playing against and hating. It is great to beat them with the kids I love and a coach that has stuck with me for three years. I could not be more proud honestly.”
Togetherness through adversity
Through the first month of the season, the Riverhawks posted a 3-6 record, but then rebounded for four consecutive wins and a streak of five wins in seven games through the end of April.
They lost five in a row in league play in the middle of May and ended the season with wins over Hermiston and Hood River Valley, but lost a critical 3-0 contest to Pendleton on May 10.
In all, TD went 10-14 and 4-8 in league action to finish ranked 19th in the 33-team 5A classification.
Of their 14 losses, eight were by three runs or less, five of those coming in league games.
“We had a lot of ups and downs, but a lot of downs,” Mathisen said. “We had some guys with injuries, a lot of stuff didn’t go our way in a lot of games, but we still battled and battled and battled. We were right there. We just couldn’t pull it out. I am still proud of this team.”
Friday marked the final games for seniors Colin Noonan, Walker, Mathewson, Ortega, DesRochers, Mathisen, Boston Bate and Matt Strizich.
After 10 seasons as coach, Runyon called it a career as well.
“What a great opportunity. I was fortunate enough to be able to get the job and coach back where I played in high school,” Runyon said. “I have a lot of great memories from back when I was playing and I have a lot of great memories with the guys that have come through that I have coached over the years. I will never forget them. They have meant so much to my life.”
Runyon said this team banded together and fought through adversity and struggles.
Mathisen said he would not have wanted to play the game he loved with any other group of athletes.
Walker is hopeful that returning players such as Spencer Honald, Daniel Peters, William Justesen, Johnny Miller and Hoffman can use the fight and tenacity the team showed this year as fuel for the future.
“I think John Miller and Dawson Hoffman in the middle are going to be great leaders and great captains next year,” Walker said. “I think they will lead the team really well. With a new coach, they can help mold and shape the system from the young guys up. I feel there is talent here and if they continue to play well together and have each other’s backs, they will have a great season.”
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