UMPQUA BASIN – The baseball and softball state playoffs got underway on Wednesday for the the 4A, 3A, and 2A/1A classifications and three local league champions kept their season alive with wins in the first round.

In the 4A state playoffs, the No. 8 Douglas softball team advanced to the quarterfinals with an 8-5 win over No. 9 Crook County. The Lady Trojans will face a steep challenge and a long road trip as they move on to face No. 1 seed McLoughlin on Friday. The Pioneers defeated Hidden Valley 11-1 in the first round to advance to the quarterfinals. 

There is history between Douglas and McLoughlin. Last season the Pioneers beat the Trojans 4-0 in the quarterfinals on their way to winning the 2015 state championship. The game time for this year’s meeting has not yet been set.

The South Umpqua baseball and softball teams were at Banks for the 4A first round, but neither team came home with a victory. The softball team started the trip with a 12-3 loss against the Braves. South Umpqua scored twice in the first inning, but Banks quickly responded and tied the game in the opening frame. The Braves took a 5-2 lead in the second inning and steadily increased their advantage the rest of the game. Banks moves on to face Ontario in the quarterfinals on Friday. 

The South Umpqua baseball team followed with an exciting 6-5 loss in extra innings. The Lancers rallied to tie the game 5-5 going to the seventh inning and kept the game knotted at the end of regulation. South Umpqua got the go ahead run on base in the top of the eighth, but couldn’t score. Banks found a way to manufacture a run for the win in the home half of the eighth inning. The Braves host Elmira in the quarterfinals on Friday. 

In the 3A state playoffs, Glide baseball began its journey towards a third straight state title game appearance by beating Vale 13-6. The Wildcats took a big lead early, but the Vikings rallied to go in front 6-5 midway through the contest. Glide finished the game strong and kept Vale off the board the rest of the game. Glide baseball faces Rainier in the quarterfinals on Friday.

The Glide softball team struggled offensively against No. 2 Scio and ended its year with an 11-1 loss. 

At the 2A/1A level, North Douglas baseball and softball advanced to the quarterfinals along with Oakland softball.

No. 10 North Douglas baseball upset No. 7 Prospect Charter in a 14-2 decision. The Warriors move on to face No. 2 Knappa, which beat the Oakland baseball team 10-4 in the first round. 

The No. 4 North Douglas softball team beat Irrigon 8-1 and will next take on No. 5 Kennedy in the quarterfinals on Friday. No. 11 Oakland upset No. 6 Gold Beach 7-3 on the road and the Lady Oakers face No. 3 Bonanza on Friday in the quarterfinals.