American Legion Baseball: Portland Barbers win NW Regional, advance to ALWS

BILLINGS, Mont. — For the first time in over a decade, the state of Oregon will be represented at the American Legion Baseball World Series.

The Portland Post 158 Barbers defeated Idaho Falls 13-5 on Sunday to win the Northwest Regional at Dehler Park and clinch the program’s first-ever berth in the American Legion World Series.

The Barbers reached the championship series through the loser’s bracket after losing in the first round of the tournament. Portland (44-4) had to beat Idaho Falls (42-12) twice on Sunday to win the tournament. A 12-9 victory got the day started and the Barbers finished it off with another offensive onslaught.

Portland put up 10 or more runs in each of its five victories in the NW Regional.

The Barbers will face League City, Texas, the Western Regional champs, on the first day of the World Series. League City (36-1) followed a similar path to the ALWS, losing the first game at Regionals and then reeling off five consecutive wins.

Medford was the last team from Oregon to reach the World Series back in 2014. The Mustangs went all the way to the semifinals before bowing out of the tournament.

The American Legion World Series will begin Thursday at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, North Carolina. Games will be broadcast on ESPN3 with the semifinals and finals airing Monday and Tuesday on ESPNU.