Clatskanie baseball returns several all-league recipients

Clatskanie’s varsity baseball team will begin its 2025 season on the road Monday, March 17 against Rainier. Following last season’s 20-win showing and playoff appearance, the boys are returning several starters this year, according to Coach Ryan Tomkins. Among these starters are first-team all-leaguers Zach Mollenhour and Ben Blackwood. Mollenhour, a junior, will be assuming his pitching duties, while the senior Blackwood will complete the battery at the catcher position. Senior Brendan Shroll, who made second-team all-league last season, will assume third baseman duties for the Tigers. Junior Finn McDonnell received honorable mention last year with respect to league play and will start in the outfield this season for Clatskanie. Juniors Cash Doney and Luke Andreasen will return to their positions at shortstop and centerfield respectively.

Having lost four seniors last year, Tomkins has several other returning players he is hoping to “fill a role,” including seniors Carter White and Victor Frank and juniors Bode Shulda and Russell Carver.

“We are excited for our first matchup of the year versus Rainier,” said Tomkins. “We return a lot of pitching depth and experience, but have to replace 40 percent of our AB’s (at bats) this year from last year’s seniors.”

Aside from the season opener at Rainier and the home opener against Scio on Thursday, March 20, the boys will have a rematch against reigning state champion Umpqua Valley Christian. The Tigers fell 10-0 to the Roseburg-based school in last year’s state tournament and will face them in tournament play during their spring break. The neutral-site game will take place Wednesday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. League play for the Tigers officially begins with its Tuesday, April 15 matchup at home against Portland Christian.

“Two teams from our league make the state playoffs,” said Tomkins. “Our goal would be to be one of those two teams.”