Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
The Scio and Santiam softball teams have started fast in league play. Both squads were undefeated in league games at The Canyon Weekly’s presstime.
Scio, runners-up in Class 3A a year ago, are 10-1 overall and 5-0 in Special District 2. The Loggers’ lone loss was in John Day against Grant Union/Prairie City in a spring break two-game series. The Prospectors are the defending Class 2A-1A champions. Scio, which lost to Grant Union/Prairie City 4-2 on March 29, came back to win 13-12 the next day.
Scio is ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, with South Umpqua, Yamhill-Carlton and Burns/Crane occupying the next three spots. Yamhill-Carlton plays with the Loggers in Special District 2 and is 5-1 in league play, with the lone loss a 3-2 decision against host Scio on April 8. The two squads play again Monday, April 29 in Yamhill.
Scio and Yamhill-Carlton tied for the district title a year ago with 13-1 records. The Loggers advanced to the 2023 Class 3A title game before losing 1-0 to Burns/Crane in a 12-inning thriller. Y-C went out in the semis to Burns-Crane by a 4-2 score.
Santiam was 12-3 overall and 5-0 in Class 2A-1A Special District 3 play at presstime. The Wolverines, ranked No. 10 in Class 2A-1A, are one game ahead of 3-1 Regis and two games in front of Gervais, Mohawk and Central Linn, all of whom are 2-2. Santiam is the highest-ranked team in the district. Gervais is rated 26th by the OSAA and Regis is 28th.
Santiam also has a win against Regis, downing the Rams 16-1 on Friday, April 12 in Mill City. The two teams tangle again on Tuesday, May 7 in Stayton. The Wolverines also have defeated Gervais and Mohawk and face off with Central Linn on Friday, April 19 in a home matchup for Santiam.
