JOSEPH Hitters on the high schools baseball team opened up their scoring floodgates in the fifth inning of their first playoff, May 18 at Wallowa, and by the time the deluge finally subsided in Union over the weekend, the Jo-Hi Eagles had two wins and a spot in the state championship tournament.

Trailing Wallowa-Imbler by a score of 3-0 in the fifth inning, Joseph was in danger of finishing this spring quickly and quietly. But the Eagles suddenly reeled off eight runs in the fifth, and a 9-3 victory extended their season at least one game. Two days later at Union, senior J.R. Masters blasted a grand-slam home run, as Joseph defeated Elgin by a score of 10-2. Union managed to beat Joseph, 6-0, for the district championship, but the Eagles already had ensured themselves a spot in the state championship tournament.

One run opened up the floodgates, and then we all just started hitting the ball, Masters said.

Joseph finished the district playoffs with an overall record of 10-12. The Eagles campaign in the state tournament began May 25 at Portland Christian. It happened too late for this edition of the Chieftain.

The Eagles on the pitching mound baffled opposing batting lineups. Junior right-hander Trevor McWaters worked 10.1 innings, and threw four strikeouts. Masters dominated his seven inning, gaining 13 strikeouts. Senior Forrest Watson pitched 1.2 innings, while senior Ian Baynes threw another. 

Pitchers took advantage of Josephs slick fielders. At Wallowa, Joseph catcher Trent Martin caught a runner attempting to steal second base. Right fielder David Lewis threw out a runner at home plate, with Watsons relay from second base. Baynes stretched to handle errant throws to first base.

It was definitely our best defensive game of the year so far, Masters said. It felt good to finally get my control back. I just threw the ball over the plate. You know that movie, Major League? I used to sing to myself, Wild thing.

Masters also delivered big hits for Joseph. He ripped a double in the fifth inning at Wallowa, driving home Watson and Lewis. Masters homered with the bases loaded against Elgin. Senior Trent Martin, senior Ian Baynes and sophomore Jordan Wulff-Castilleja each doubled.

Freshman Blair Beaudoin wound up scoring four runs, and McWaters crossed home plate three times. Masters, Martin, Baynes, Wulff-Castilleja, and Lewis each scored twice. Watson and sophomore Cody Duquette each chipped in a run.