UVC’s Hellenthal no-hits Irrigon in 16-0 playoff win
The Umpqua Valley Christian baseball team is cruising back to the Class 2A/1A state semifinals behind a dominant no-hit performance by senior pitcher Ty Hellenthal.
The No. 1-seeded Monarchs recorded their second run-rule victory of the postseason after shutting out No. 8 Irrigon 16-0 in five innings on Friday at Bill Gray Legion Stadium at Champion Car Wash Field.
“Ty today, I mean, outstanding,” UVC center fielder Caleb York said.
Hellenthal faced just one over the minimum. Irrigon’s lone base-runner was Aiden Wells, who drew a two-out walk in the first inning.
“Looking back, it hurts a lot more (now) than it did in the moment,” Hellenthal said about the free pass to Wells. “But it’s alright. I’ll take a no-hitter any day.”
The senior finished with five strikeouts as he sent UVC (26-4) into the semifinals where the Monarchs have a state finals rematch against Knappa (19-5). The No. 4 Loggers outlasted No. 5 Myrtle Point/Pacific 7-6 at home in Astoria on Friday.
Knappa lost 13-9 against Umpqua Valley Christian in the 2024 title game, but got a 2-1 victory at home earlier this season against the Monarchs. The two teams are scheduled to face off again at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Champion Car Wash Field in Roseburg.
“That’s a great program over there,” Hellenthal said about Knappa. “They always come in, play the game right. They play the game with respect. And they’re going to be going out there to win and we got to match their energy. We’ve got to go out there and compete.”
Umpqua Valley Christian will take some hot bats into the semifinals. The Monarchs pounded out 14 hits against Irrigon, led by York. The sophomore was 3-for-3 with two triples and eight RBIs.
“I pretty much have to give it to coach (Tony) Haynes,” York said. “He’s helped me with my swing the entire way. I haven’t really been feeling it lately, but today I was feeling really good.”
The Monarchs had five players with multiple hits in the game. Teagan Sprague also had a triple.
Julian Gomez started for Irrigon (17-8) but only lasted 1 1/3 innings. He was tagged for eight runs on six hits and recorded four strikeouts and allowed three walks.
“(Gomez) started against us last year. Credit to him, he does a great job. He throws strikes. We just happened to get the bat on the ball today and play great defense,” Hellenthal said.
The Knights ended the season with a loss to UVC for a second consecutive year. The Monarchs defeated Irrigon 11-1 in the second round in 2024.
Irrigon;000;00;—;0;0;4
UVC;355;3X;—;16;14;0
Gomez, Maris (2), Atkins (4), Johnson (4) and Locey; Hellenthal and Blakenship. W — Hellenthal. L — Gomez. 3B — York 2 (UVC), Sprague (UVC).
