11 baseball and softball teams trending up in the Mid-Valley
High school baseball and softball is going strong as we near mid-April, and teams are starting to show their identities and are positioning themselves for a possible postseason run later in the year.
A team’s OSAA ranking can shift even when the team is off, as other teams’ records and opponents can impact it.
The OSAA rankings below are as of 9:30 p.m. Saturday night.
Here are six softball teams and five baseball teams in the Mid-Valley that are looking strong.
6 Mid-Valley softball teams trending up
1: DALLAS/PERRYDALE AMONG TOP 5A TEAMS
The Dragons are 8-1 this season with some impressive wins already.
Dallas/Perrydale has beaten Class 6A teams West Salem, Willamette, Barlow, North Medford and South Salem.
The Dragons were No. 2 in the OSAA Class 5A rankings, and 2-0 in the Mid-Willamette Conference as of Saturday night.
“I am extremely proud of this team and what we have accomplished so far,” coach Brandi Jackson said. “This team comes out and puts in the work day in and day out. We have high expectations for this season with the mindset of one game at a time.”
More: 20 Mid-Valley baseball and softball players to watch in 2023
2: SILVERTON RIDES 7-GAME WIN STREAK
The Foxes are 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-Willamette Conference.
Silverton’s two biggest wins are against Grant (17-2) and Woodburn (15-0).
The Foxes’ only loss came March 15 against Sprague (16-2).
Silverton was ranked No. 3 in the OSAA Class 5A rankings as of Saturday night.
3: SOUTH SALEM HAS JUST TWO LOSSES
The Saxons are off to a 6-2 start this season in nonconference play.
South Salem’s two losses came against Sherwood (6-5) and at Dallas/Perrydale (6-5).
With the fast start, the Saxons were No. 8 in the OSAA Class 6A rankings as of Saturday night.
South Salem begins Central Valley Conference play at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at home against West Salem.
More: With a wet spring, how are Mid-Valley teams adjusting?
4: MCNARY IS IN THE TOP 10 IN 6A
The Celtics are 7-3 early this season in nonconference play.
McNary’s only three losses came at Sheldon (5-3), Mountainside (10-4) and Wilsonville (5-4).
The Celtics were ranked No. 9 in the OSAA Class 6A rankings as of Saturday night.
McNary opens Central Valley Conference play at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday against North Salem.
5: STAYTON COULD CHALLENGE FOR 4A STATE TITLE
The Eagles are 7-3 in nonconference play and have been looking like a potential title contender.
Stayton’s three losses came at Lebanon (5-0), against the Dalles (7-2) and against Yamhill-Carlton (15-0).
The Eagles were No. 1 in the OSAA Class 4A rankings as of Saturday night.
Stayton opens Oregon West Conference play at 4 p.m. Monday at Newport.
6: BLANCHET AMONG THE BEST AT 2A/1A
The Cavaliers have won four games in a row to improve to 4-1 this season.
They’ve been on a roll since the season-opening loss to Scio (13-3).
Blanchet is 4-0 in Special District 2 action.
The Cavaliers were ranked No. 3 in the OSAA Class 2A/1A rankings as of Saturday night.
More: 8 Mid-Valley softball and baseball teams to watch this season
5 Mid-Valley baseball teams trending up
1: SOUTH SALEM IS A ROAD WARRIOR
The Saxons are off to an 8-2 start this season, with all the games coming away from home.
Gilmore Field is still being repaired after suffering damage in the offseason.
More: South Salem High School's baseball field, Gilmore Field, 'destroyed;' 2 teens arrested
South Salem’s only losses came at Roseburg (5-4) and Mountain View (8-4).
The Saxons were No. 9 in the OSAA Class 6A rankings as of Saturday night.
South Salem will open Central Valley Conference play at 5 p.m. April 18 at McNary.
“We’re off to a good start and feel like we’re playing progressively better baseball, with plenty of potential still to fulfill,” South Salem coach Max Price said.
2: SPRAGUE HAS STRONG START HEADING INTO CVC
Despite a current two-game losing streak, the Olympians started strong in nonconference play, going 9-4.
Sprague was No. 13 in the OSAA Class 6A rankings as of Saturday night.
The Olys open Central Valley Conference play Tuesday against West Salem.
3: KENNEDY TOP IN 2A/1A
The defending state champion Trojans are unbeaten at 9-0 this season.
Kennedy was ranked No. 1 in the OSAA Class 2A/1A rankings as of Saturday night.
The Trojans open Special District 2 play at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Colton.
4: BLANCHET A CONTENDER AT 2A/1A
The Cavaliers are 10-1 this season, and unbeaten against teams from Oregon.
With their fast start, Blanchet was ranked No. 2 in the OSAA Class 2A/1A rankings as of Saturday night.
The Cavaliers are 6-0 in Special District 3 play.
5: ST. PAUL UNBEATEN AT 2A/1A
The Buckaroos are a unbeaten 6-0 overall this season.
St. Paul was No. 7 in the OSAA Class 2A/1A rankings, as of Saturday night, heading into Special District 2 action.
The Buckaroos open league play at 3 p.m. Monday against Western Christian.
Statesman Journal reporter Pete Martini covers college and high school sports. He can be reached at pmartini@StatesmanJournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: 11 baseball and softball teams trending up in the Mid-Valley
