La Grande Baseball finishes the season runner-up in the 4A State Championship | Secondary school

LA GRANDE – The La Grande High School baseball team ended their season that weekend with a 14-2 record that year. The Tigers came back just one game before winning the 4A state championship, but were defeated by Hidden Valley in a heartbreaker at North Marion High School.

La Grande led 2-1 into the bottom of the seventh inning but fell 5-2 against Hidden Valley when Isaac Hill scored a two-part Grand Slam. For the Tigers, this has been one of the most successful seasons in recent years, despite the challenges of ending the season amid COVID-19.

“I think it speaks to our community and our children and their families,” said La Grande head coach Parker McKinley. “Our administrators have worked tirelessly for all of our sports to get an idea of ​​success and opportunities this year.”

The Tigers were dominant in the regular season, losing only one game in a matchup against Pendleton earlier in the season. By the end of the regular season, La Grande drove a winning streak of 10 games and an average of just under 13 runs per game.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Tigers scored again runs left and right and defeated Gladstone 18-1. After a narrow 7-4 win against Banks in the semifinals, La Grande lost for the second time this year with the setback in the championship game.

“What stands out is the persistence of the children and their families, as well as all of the coaches who have been involved in the season and the program,” said McKinley.

The Tigers have four senior graduates who have joined the team every four years of their high school careers. La Grande’s ace, Riley Miller, threw a gem in the championship game and ended a stellar season.

“It was probably the best performance of his career to date,” said McKinley. “Great players make great moments.”

Miller recently committed to continuing his baseball career at the college level at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. Getting older athletes out of high school is always a difficult process for McKinley.

“It’s an emotional thing for us as coaches every year,” said McKinley.