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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (June 4, 2025)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 4, 2025 -- SEVEN Mustangs oust Cougars, fall to Trojans By Brian Bunch Monday, May 26, the #15 Heppner/Ione Mus- tangs hosted the #19 Illinois Valley Cougars in Round 1 of OSAA playoff action. With three fewer hits on the day the Mustangs managed a three-run win over the second place team out of 2A/1A-SD6. Ryan Haugen pitched a complete game for the Mustangs, giving up three runs on four hits in the first inning before settling in with a couple three-up/ three-down innings to tame the Cougar bats. R. Haugen would earn the win with 7.0 innings pitched, giving up three earned runs (zero unearned) on seven hits with two walks and seven Ks. R. Haugen’s strong performance on the mound wasn’t alone as the defense stood up behind him, only tallying three errors, none of them responsible for a run. On offense the Mus- tangs only needed two in- nings and four hits to put up six runs. The Mustang bats were pesky but disciplined the whole game as they only struck out twice while working six walks. In the bottom of the first inning, with the Cou- gars jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the top, the Mus- tangs looked to even it up as Caleb George smashed a triple to right field on the first strike he saw. Jace Wilson would follow up George with a hard-hit dou- ble to center field for the RBI. An error and a walk would load the bases with Caylan Proudfoot and Karver Wilkins and bring Alakae Rodriguez to the plate. Rodriguez would reach base on a fielder’s choice ground ball RBI that would score Wilson but send Wilkins back to the dugout for the first out. The bottom of the first would see the only two Mustang strikeouts in the game, but an error between them would allow R. Haugen to reach base and Proudfoot to score, making it a fresh game going into the second, tied 3-3. The first three Mus- tangs to the plate in the bottom of the second inning would get a free pass to load the bases. Shad Gree- nup wore one for a lead- off hit-by-pitch from the nine-hole to flip the order over; George and Wilson followed with walks. A bases-loaded balk gave the Mustangs the lead and moved George and Wilson into scoring position before Wilkins could work a walk to load the bases for Rodri- guez again. Rodriguez hit a hard ground ball down the third-base foul line for a two-RBI double to give the Mustangs their last two runs of the game, and their final lead, 6-3. Round 2 @ Kennedy With the completion of the first round, the Heppner/ Ione Mustangs found them- selves with a road rematch against the #2 Kennedy Trojans on Wednesday May 28, this time traveling to the Trojan’s home field. If you remember way back in March they met at the Umatilla Sports Com- plex in the Stanfield Tour- nament, ending with a 10-0 Trojan win in six innings. This time the Mustangs would force the Trojans to play seven innings but would still fall 6-1. Keaton Coiner got the start on the mound and took the loss pitching 3.2 innings, giving up six runs (three earned) on four hits with four walks and five strikeouts. Karver Wilkins pitched 2.1 scoreless in- nings in relief giving up only two hits with no walks and one strikeout to limit the Trojans to single digits in the run column. Wilkins’ lone strikeout was paired with a double play to make for a 1-2-3 fifth inning, the only inning where the Mus- tangs limited the Trojans to three batters. It was a rough day at the plate for the Mustangs as well, the only run gen- erated in the second inning by a series of hit-batters. Caylan Proudfoot and Al- akae Rodriguez tallied the only hits of the game for the Mustangs, but neither of them in the second inning, when Rodriguez scored the only run. Proudfoot gave them a lead-off runner in scoring position in the third inning with a single advanc- ing to second on an error, but would get stranded as the next three batters would fall in order. Rodriguez tried to start a sixth inning rally with a lead-off double but would be stranded in a first and third situation with Coiner standing on first after a walk. That’s a Wrap With the Heppner/Ione Mustang’s second round exit from the playoffs we call it a wrap on the 2025 Mustang Baseball season. It is important to note, Kenne- dy is playing in a semi-final match-up on June 3 against Portland Christian and I would not be surprised to see them advance to the final, scheduled for June 7. The Mustangs end the season with a 16-9 overall (11-5 league) record finish- ing fourth in 2A/1A-SD7. Ryan Haugen led the team pitching with a 7-1 re- cord on 15 starts (16 games played) with a 2.625 ERA in 72.0 innings pitched. Alakae Rodriguez is next in line with a 3-1 record on one start with one save and a 2.673 ERA in 18.1 innings pitched. Keaton Coiner, the only other Mustang pitcher seeing double digit games on the mound fin- ished with a 2-5 record on five starts with a save and a 5.500 ERA in 28.0 innings pitched. Caylan Proudfoot led the team hitting with a .313/.402/.373 slash line (AVG/OBP/SLG), 25 runs and 20 RBIs on 26 hits and 14 stolen bases. Ca- leb George follows close- ly behind him batting .312/.471/.475, 31 runs and 19 RBIs on 25 hits, and leading the team with 21 stolen bases. Jace Wil- son finished the season right next to George batting .312/.407/.351 with 23 runs and 17 RBIs on 24 hits with 10 stolen bases. Rodriguez joined the party, being the only other hitter above .300 with double digit at bats, he went .307/.435/.387 with 28 runs and 17 RBIs on 23 hits with 14 stolen bases. This marks the end of Mustang Baseball for the three graduating seniors Mason Orem, Shad Gree- nup and Karver Wilkins. All three will be missed in the starting line-up next year, but they leave the program in good hands. Six of the nine starters will be return- ing, lots of young talent al- ready on the team, and I can assure you there is a quality class of incoming freshmen to fill the roster spots. What a season, boys! Go Mustangs! Lady Mustangs fall to Grant Union but end season strong Heppner finishes 19-5 overall and 9-3 in league play Lunch & Dinner Menu 6/5 - 6/11 Thursday - BLT on wheat with avocado & grapes Congratulations Ione Senior Graduates Friday - Turkey & Ham sub sandwich with pasta salad Saturday - Hot dog, chips, and cup of ice cream Congratulations Heppner Senior Graduates Sunday - Closed Monday - SW Grilled chicken salad Tuesday - 1/4 breakfast burger w/strawberry orange fruit salad Tuesday Night 6-9pm $2 hard shell tacos Wednesday - Italian chopped salad with garlic bread UPCOMING EVENTS Hailey McDaniel catches fly ball in left field. -Contributed photo Maya Payne pitching. -Contributed photo Flag Day Ceremony June 14 - Come join the ceremony that tells the history of the flag Father’s Day Picnic June 15 - CutsforthPark (members and their guests) Lodge Hours: Wed 4pm to close with dinner at 6pm Thurs 4pm to close (Lodge at 8pm) Fri & Sat 4pm to close with dinner from 5pm to 8pm off the menu Members and their Guests Avree Lathrop fields a bunt and throws a runner out at first. -Contributed photo Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription Spring showers may bring costly home repairs Spring rain can overwhelm clogged gutters, leading to overfl ow causing damage to your home. CALL 1-855-536-8838 TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE INSPECTION Promo Code: 285 *$250 discount (no cash value) is for same-day signing only. This off er cannot be combined with any other promotion or off er. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. Expires: 6/30/25. See website for all license and registration numbers. We Buy Houses For Cash! Isa Payne hits a homerun. -Contributed photo The Heppner Lady Mustangs’ postseason run came to an end on Friday, May 30, with a 14–5 loss to the Grant Union Pros- pectors in the third round of the OSAA 2A/1A state playoffs. Despite the defeat, Heppner capped off a stellar season ranked No. 1 in the state, finishing with a 19–5 overall record and 9–3 in league play. Junior Isabel Payne led the way offensively in the playoff loss, going 3-for-4 with a solo home run in the first inning, a single in the third and another in the sixth. Sophomore Ava Ger- ry added a two-run homer to center in the third, helping Heppner stay within reach before Grant Union broke the game open in the later innings. Grant Union got on the board early with a solo shot by Reece Jacobs in the first, then poured in five runs in the second and five more in the sixth, powered by home runs from Addy Northway, Savannah Watterson, and a second homer from Jacobs. Maya Payne pitched a complete game for the Mus- tangs, striking out three, but the Prospectors racked up 17 hits and capitalized on key errors. Heppner Varsity Mus- tangs accumulated 12 hits in the game. Gerry drove the middle of the lineup, leading Heppner Varsity Mustangs with three runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-4 on the day. Payne collected two hits for Heppner Varsity Mustangs in four at bats. Mustangs Dominate Elgin in Second Round The loss followed a ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAY 5:00 P.M. commanding 21–5 victory over Elgin on Wednes- day, May 28, in the second round of the playoffs. In that game, Keeley Nairns starred with five RBIs on three hits, including a bas- es-clearing double in a seven-run third inning. Heppner’s bats were unstoppable, recording 19 hits and scoring in ev- ery frame. Payne, Nairns and Henrichs all had three hits apiece, while multi- ple others contributed to a fourth-inning rally that brought in nine more runs. Payne also pitched five solid innings in that game, allowing just five runs on six hits while striking out three. A Season to Remem- ber Although the Mustangs came up short of a champi- onship run, the 2025 season will go down as one of the program’s best. Behind strong leadership, explosive offense, and a deep roster of talent, Heppner proved they could compete with anyone in the state—and earned their spot at the top of the OSAA 2A/1A rankings out of 45 teams. With key players re- turning next season and a strong core already in place, the Lady Mustangs will look to build on this mo- mentum and return stronger in 2026. Liz Buys Houses Connects Home Sellers with Legitimate Cash Buyers Nationwide! No Repairs. No Fuss. • Fair Cash Off er • No House Repairs • Quick Closing • Simple Home Sale • No Realtor Fees • Convenient Closing Date Call (866) 249−8679 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. 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