Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 18, 2025 -- SEVEN
HISLER EAST TEAM
Yankees’ Babe Ruth season
ends after semifinal comeback
by Mariners
The Hodgson Distri-
bution Yankees/Mustangs
gave fans a thrilling post-
season run this past week,
starting with a dominant
quarterfinal victory over the
Nationals. But just two days
later, their season came
to an agonizing end in the
semifinals, as the Mariners
mounted a stunning late-
game comeback to edge out
the Yankees 12–11.
The Yankees opened
the playoffs in top form,
overpowering the Nationals
12–6. The offense came
alive early, and a massive
five-run fourth inning gave
the team breathing room.
The Yankees/Mustangs
lineup exploded for 13 hits
and 12 runs, with big per-
formances from key play-
ers throughout the order.
Catcher M. Wilson sparked
the offense, going 2-for-3
with two walks, two runs
scored, and two RBIs. First
baseman J. Wilson was
equally impressive, driving
in a team-high four runs on
a three-hit day. Leadoff man
K. Dickenson contributed
two hits, scored twice, and
added a stolen base, while
outfielder C. Adams crossed
the plate three times, go-
ing 2-for-3 with a walk.
Pinch hitter T. Bunch came
through with a clutch RBI
double, and G. Rosenbalm
added a hit and a run off the
bench. The team showed
aggression on the bases,
stealing seven total, with
successful swipes from M.
Wilson, Dickenson (2), P.
Matheny, J. Wilson, and C.
Mullins.
On the mound, it was
a full team effort. Starter
K. Dickenson opened the
game, striking out four in
1.1 innings before turning
it over to C. Adams, who
earned the win with a gritty
3.2-inning outing that in-
cluded nine strikeouts and
just three hits allowed. J.
Wilson closed out the final
frame, adding three more
strikeouts. Though the de-
fense committed five errors,
the Yankees’ pitching staff
recorded an impressive
16 strikeouts, holding the
Nationals to just four hits
in total.
It was a well-earned
win that showcased the
Yankees’ depth at the plate
and their ability to capital-
ize under pressure. Spirits
were high heading into the
Semifinals.
What looked like a sure
path to the championship
turned into heartbreak just
48 hours later. In one of
the most dramatic games
of the season, the Yankees/
Mustangs fell just short in a
12–11 heartbreaker against
the Mariners on Thursday,
June 12, despite a red-hot
start and explosive offense.
The Yankees jumped
out to an 11–0 lead by the
top of the third inning,
fueled by a relentless of-
fensive attack that includ-
ed nine hits, eight RBIs,
and five walks. But the
rested Mariners, who ad-
vanced automatically after
the Dodgers dropped out,
were not ready to quit.
They chipped away
with four runs in the third
and three more in the fourth,
then stunned the Yankees
with a five-run rally in the
bottom of the fifth. Despite
recording just three hits
to the Yankees’ nine, the
Mariners took advantage
of late errors and walks to
complete the comeback.
Center fielder K. Dick-
enson led the way at the
plate, going 3-for-3 with
3 RBIs, two runs scored, a
double, and a stolen base.
M. Wilson, who also start-
ed on the mound, added
two hits and scored three
runs, while first baseman J.
Wilson chipped in with an
RBI single, two runs, and
a stolen base. Catcher J.
McDaniel had a productive
day with a hit, two runs
scored, and two walks, and
left fielder C. Adams drove
in two with a sharp single.
M. Haugen contributed
an RBI and a stolen base,
while M. McMasters added
a sacrifice fly to round out
the scoring.
On the bases, the Yan-
kees stayed aggressive, tal-
lying seven stolen bases—
including two from Haugen
and one each from M. Wil-
son, J. Wilson, McDaniel
and Dickenson. However,
despite the offensive fire-
works, the Yankees’ bullpen
couldn’t hold off a surging
Mariners lineup. After Wil-
son allowed four runs over
two innings, reliever K.
Dickenson struggled with
command, walking eight
and allowing eight earned
runs in just over two in-
nings. The Mariners, with
only three hits in the game,
capitalized on nine walks,
several hit batters, and a
string of wild pitches to
mount a staggering come-
back, including a five-run
fifth inning to walk it off.
It was a crushing loss
for a Yankees squad that
did nearly everything right
offensively but saw their
season come to an end in
the most painful way—just
one out shy of advancing to
the Championship. Despite
the outcome, the game was
a testament to the Yankees’
grit and firepower, capping
off a memorable and hard-
fought 2025 campaign.
The loss was a tough
one for a Yankees squad
that had shown heart, hus-
tle, and grit all season long.
The team has every rea-
son to hold their heads
high after a postseason that
demonstrated their potential
and resilience.
Hallee Hisler, fourth from right, with other members of the OACA All-Star East Team. -Con-
tributed photo
-Continued from PAGE ONE but was also named Player represent HHS and her
of the Game for the East
High School (HHS), Hisler Team.
not only competed along-
“It was so much fun
side some of the top talent to see her get to play with
from across Eastern Oregon other Eastside players and
Heppner community with
class and grit. One last time
in her Blue and Gold,” her
mother, Stephanie Hisler,
posted on Facebook.
Albitre, Humphreys continue
track success
On Saturday, June 14,
Joseph Albitre and Christo-
pher Humphreys competed
at the Inland Northwest
Youth Championship track
and field competition in
Kennewick, WA, compet-
ing against athletes from
eastern Washington, west-
ern Idaho and northern
Oregon.
Joseph got second in
high jump and eighth in
long jump for the 17-18 age
division.
Christopher won first in
Javelin, sixth in shot put,
and seventh in discus for the
17- to 18-year-old division.
Both boys will compete
at the regional junior Olym-
pics in Spokane over the
next several weeks.
Christopher will also
be competing next weekend
Chris Humphreys (left) and Joseph Albitre (right) with their
medals at the Inland Northwest Youth Championship last
weekend. The two Mustang track stars are continuing a stellar
season with competitive events all summer. -Contributed photo
at the Nike Invitational at Hayward Field in Eugene.
Youth golf clinic deemed
a success
Trivia Competition,
Dessert,
Live Auction
Friday, June 20, 2025, 6:30 pm.
Ione Legion Hall
Ione, Oregon
Fun for all ages. Tickets $15 each or $50 for a team of five to compete for prizes.
Enjoy dessert while you test your knowledge of American history. Live auction
to follow.
Sponsored by the Morrow County Republican Party mocoreps@gmail.com
Participants in the WCCC youth golf clinic June 11-13. -Contributed photo
PUBLIC NOTICE
Town of Lexington Burn Ban
The Fire Chief of the Town of Lexington is imposing
a closed season for the Town of Lexington for open
burning effective Monday, June 16, 2025, until
further notice. The ban includes all burning barrels
and open burning.
three-day event June 11-13
at Willow Creek Country
Club.
Two evenings of in-
struction were followed by
a low-pressure golf tour-
nament and barbecue on
Friday.
The community event
Organizers of the re-
cent youth golf clinic and
tournament in Heppner
have announced it had a
great turnout, with around
30 young golfers attending.
Aspiring golfers ages
seven through 13 were able
to tee off for free in the
was funded by the Morrow
County Unified Recreation
District and the Howard and
Beth Bryant Foundation.
Donald Matthews and
Joe Armato headed up the
event with help from the
Heppner High School golf
team.
Local, Experienced Mortgage Specialists
!"#$%&'(&)*+,$&%(*!&
$!"#-&.(-"/
!"#$%&'()*"+,%&*( 012345535656
!"#$%&'()*"+,-&./$0&&&
!"#$%&'()*"+,-&
& 1/"#-,,&2"/&3"+/&4+'%.-/5 & '(,1-#8'"(,5
6"//"0&7"(-3&$,&&
:-/7$(-(8&2'($(#'(9&&
&
& $;$'%$4%-5
& (--.-.&8*/"+9*"+8&&
& 8-/7&"2&8*-&%"$(5
!"#$%&'()*+$%,&-$*./0$1
!"#$%&'()*+,%-+"(.#"'/&01234%&',/&(5/&3,#*6,%/&(7#"23
!"#$%&'(&
7*!8.#9"&#&.(-"/
-./*,,"(-.&+012*.
0:4301;3<5;5
Home of the Lexington Jack Rabbits!
<(30*-/-&'(&8*-&=><
?(;-,87-(8&:/"1-/8'-,
>-#"(.&@-,'.-(#-
A$(+2$#8+/-.&B"7-,
Submit News, Advertising & Announcements
Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos
Start A New Subscription
NMLS # 937744/508276. RATES & TERMS MAY VARY. ALL LOANS SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL
Member FDIC