Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 14, 2025)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Mustangs split with Bobcats on senior day Alakae Rodriguez rounding third. -Photo by Brian Bunch Ryan Haugen makes the catch for Out #3. -Photo by Brian Bunch Ryan Haugen and Jace Wilson catch a Bobcat in a pickle. -Photo by Brian Bunch Baseball seniors and their families (L-R): Renee Wilkins, senior Karver Wilkins, Tim Wilkins, Tony Greenup, se- nior Shad Greenup, Michelle Greenup, Eric Orem, senior Mason Orem and Brandi Orem. -Photo by Brian Bunch By Brian Bunch Friday, May 9, the Heppner/Ione Mustangs (9-4 League, 13-6 Overall) hosted the Union/Cove Bobcats (9-4, 15-4) for a doubleheader. This being the Mustangs’ last home game on the schedule, they took a minute to honor the graduating seniors on the baseball team as well as the graduating seniors from the golf team. Each senior presented their family with a rose and stood with them for recognition and photos. The seniors honored from the baseball team were: Mason Orem, Shad Greenup and Karver Wilkins. It was another beautiful day for baseball in Hep- pner with a temperature around 70 degrees for the pre-game ceremonies, with just enough breeze coming in from the outfield to feel good. Game 1 Game 1 was a pitcher’s duel, with the Mustangs’ Ryan Haugen coming out on top, pitching 7.0 shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk while serving up five strikeouts. Senior Karver Wilkins, playing first base, led a strong de- fense, which allowed R. Haugen to work in the zone at a 3:1 strike-to-ball ratio to induce crowd-wowing outs by the defense. Wilkins went 8-8 fielding with eight putouts. On the losing end of the duel was Bobcat pitcher Nolan Needham, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on only three hits, with four walks and seven strikeouts. The Bobcat defense was strong behind Needham, committing only one error. The Mustangs as a whole were struggling at the plate, but smart base running would help. Alakae Rodriguez got the first hit of the game, a double, to lead off the second inning. Senior Center Fielder Ma- son Orem worked a walk, and with some timely base running by Rodriguez and Orem, R. Haugen found himself at the plate with a full count and two runners in scoring position. He ripped a sacrificial fly-ball to right field to bring in Ro- driguez, and a Bobcat error allowed Orem to follow. Jace Wilson hit a single in the bottom of the third to give the Mustangs a one- out base runner, but he was stranded there with two quick outs by the Bobcat defense. Senior Outfielder Shad Greenup gave the Mustangs another lead-off runner in the fifth with a hard-hit fly ball to left field for a double, but that would be the last hit of the game for the Mustangs. Game 2 The Mustang offense continued to struggle in Game 2, but this time the pitching struggled with them. Rodriguez got the start on the mound and gave up two earned runs on four hits in the first inning. Ca- leb George took the mound in the second inning with hopes of keeping the game within reach but was pulled after putting two free run- ners on and allowing a run on a wild pitch with no outs in the top of the fourth. George pitched 2.0 in- nings, allowing five earned runs on four hits and took the loss before being re- placed by Caylan Proud- foot, who threw 4.0 shutout innings, giving up four hits and earning one strikeout. Once again, R. Hau- gen found himself alone in the RBI column in Game 2 when he batted in Ro- driguez on another sacri- fice fly—this time to left field—to score the Mus- tangs’ first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. He later added an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, where Rodriguez scored again. You start to notice a trend here: if Rodriguez is on base and R. Haugen is at the plate, there will proba- bly be a run scored. Un- fortunately, those were the only two runs for the Mus- tangs, as those two players were the only Mustangs to tally a hit in the game—un- til Jace Wilson attempted to start a 2-out rally in the bottom of the seventh with a line-drive single to right field for the Mustangs’ third and final hit. A 2-0 shutout win in the first game and a 2-7 loss in the second game leaves the Mustangs tied for second in 2A/1A-SD7 with Union/ Cove at 9-4, each team with three league games left in the regular season. Mustangs Hold Off Late Prospector Rally By the way, did I men- tion there’s a third team tied for second at 9-4 in 2A/1A-SD7 league play? On Tuesday, May 6, the Heppner/Ione Mustangs (9-4 league, 13-6 overall) hosted the Grant Union/ Prairie City/Monument Prospectors (9-4, 10-11) for the first game of a home- and-home, mid-week series between the two rivals that was concluded on Tuesday, May 13, at Grant Union High School. Tuesday was another beautiful evening for base- ball in Heppner—we’re going to get spoiled with all these 70-degree games in the sunshine. The Mustangs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first inning and would not fall behind the Prospec- tors throughout the rest of the game. The Prospectors battled back in the top of the second to score two runs and a third in the top of the third to tie the game at 3-3 in the middle of the third inning. The Mustangs sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the third to score four runs and retake the lead, 7-3. Consecutive walks to lead off the top of the fourth would go on to score two runs for the Prospectors, but the Mustangs battled back to add a run in the bottom of the frame—8-5 after four innings. Both teams put up a scoreless fifth inning before the action picked up again in the sixth with a Prospec- tor RBI double to cut into the Mustang lead, 8-6. In the bottom of the sixth, a two-RBI double gave the Mustangs a 10-6 advantage going into the final frame. The Prospectors made one last run at it, putting up three runs in the top of the seventh inning, but a game-saving catch in the outfield by Shad Greenup gave them the final out and stopped the comeback at 10-9. Six different Mustangs tallied a hit in the game— none more than one. Alakae Rodriguez led the team with three runs, followed closely by Ryan Haugen and Karver Wilkins, each with two. Keaton Coiner joined Greenup as the only two Mustangs with multiple RBIs, with two apiece. Down the Final Stretch The Heppner/Ione Mustangs (9-4 league, 13-6 overall) take to the road to finish the regular season. First stop is Grant Union High School on Tuesday, May 13, to visit the Grant Union/Prairie City/Mon- ument Prospectors (9-4, 10-11) for the second half of the home-and-home mid- week series between the two rivals, as the winner looks to move toward sole possession of second place. Their last regular sea- son games will be Friday, May 16, at Weston-McE- wen High School as they face the Weston-McEwen/ Griswold TigerScots (4-9, 4-16) in a doubleheader, with the first game at 1 p.m. Apply by May 19 to represent Eastern Oregon on salmon and trout advisory committee SALEM, OR—ODFW is seeking two new mem- bers for the Salmon and Trout Advisory Committee (STAC). One new board member will represent the Eastern Oregon district, and one member will represent the Lower Rogue districts on STAC. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by 5 p.m. on May 19. For application materials, visit the ODFW STEP webpage at https://www.dfw.state. or.us/fish/step/STAC.asp and use the “Click here to apply” link. Desired applicants should have experience working with volunteers, community service organi- zations, or involvement in natural resource or fishing education. Ideally, candi- dates should have knowl- edge of the issues and ac- tivities performed by STEP biologists, volunteers, and partner organizations with- in their territory. ODFW provides many opportuni- ties for all Oregonians to be engaged with STEP and is looking for ways to further expand our community outreach. Candidates that can connect with or repre- sent young adults, women, families or underrepresent- ed populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates must also be residents of the area they represent. For the Eastern Oregon STEP district, that gram Coordinator, at (503) area communities that lie 947-6232 or Martin.P.Ol- East of the Cascade Range. son@Odfw.Oregon.Gov. STEP was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1981 to provide a way for volunteers to participate in the restoration of native stocks of salmon, steelhead, and trout. The nine mem- bers of the Salmon & Trout Advisory Committee are appointed by the Governor and represent all regions of Oregon. More information on this announcement, STAC and STEP can be found at https://www.dfw.state. or.us/fish/STEP/index.asp or by contacting Marty Olson, ODFW Salmon and Trout Enhancement Pro- DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription Lexington Hunter Education The course is a 1 day Field Day on June 14, 2025 at 8:00 am. The class requires students to take an approved online course and bring the certificate with you. Instructions for signing up at http://vem.myodfw.com/eventprofile/174. For more information contact instructor Jim Marquardt at 541-969-4845. For help signing up contact 855-686-1055 or odfwhelp@payitgov.com Lunch & Dinner Menu 5/15 - 5/21 Thursday: taco salad in a tortilla Friday - Tuna Melt with Mac n cheese Saturday - Gluten Free chicken gumbo with salad Sunday - Closed Monday - Grilled chicken burger with bacon and pepperjack cheese and a side of potato salad Tuesday - Chipotle Philly taco with chips Tuesday Night 6-9pm $2 hard shell tacos Wednesday - Sausage breakfast sandwich with hashbrown patties 177 N Main St. Heppner, Or 97836 O: 541-676-9228 E:sykeschris@hotmail.com Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274 For Sale $415,000 This 0.77-acre property offers everything for animal enthusiasts, with a livestock pasture, year-round creek, two chicken houses, a barn with a lean-to, and a deer-proof garden with a greenhouse for year- round produce. A 10x12 storage room. The 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath home, including a master suite, features modern updates like new flooring, hardy plank siding and new windows. Energy-efficient ductless heating and cooling. Outside, rock retaining walls, a tool shed, and a partially finished basement add function and flexibility. Located within city limits, it’s a short walk to Main Street Perfect for animal care, gardening, and quiet living, this move-in-ready property is a rare find. 580 S MAIN ST Heppner. MLS#: 629913772 2 Lots Approx 38 acres Price Reduced $170,000 Bare land to build! Expansive 38-Acre Property Heppner with Two Tax Lots – Endless Possibilities!Unlock the potential of this remarkable property, offering approximately 38 acres of prime land ready for your vision. Two adjoining tax lots are being sold together, providing incredible flexibility and value for buyers seeking a blend of opportunity and space.Property Highlights:Total Acreage: ~38 acres across two parcels.Parcel 1: 35.44 acres Tax ID: 370: located within Heppner city limits.Parcel 2: 3.23 acres Tax ID: 1752: situated just outside city limits. MLS#:597267719
