Gus Ramsden, a 15-year-old baseball player from Lostine, was part of something special this summer: the first Union County-based 15U Babe Ruth team ever to play for the Northwest regional championship.

Ramsden, an incoming freshman this fall at Wallowa High School, mostly patrolled center field for the Union County team in the regional tournament, which was played Wednesday through Sunday, July 29 – Aug. 2 in The Dalles. He also saw some time on the pitching mound.

After trouncing Columbia Basin, 15-2, on Aug. 1, the Union County team narrowly defeated The Dalles, 5-4, on Aug. 2, earning the right to play for the championship later that day.

Ramsden was a key figure in the victory over The Dalles. In the third inning, he singled, stole second, and was able to scamper home when his subsequent theft of third induced the catcher’s errant throw beyond the third baseman.

Union County lost 7-5 to Glacier in the regional championship game.

Ramsden was Wallowa County’s only representative on the Union County team, which was coached by Lee Atkinson of La Grande.