West Linn Select Green opens World Series pool play in Indiana on Saturday, Aug. 5.
It’s time.
After six months of practice and play, after 54 games and after two huge tournament wins, it’s time for the West Linn 10U Select Green baseball team to play in the World Series.
The Lions, fresh off their win in the Pacific Northwest Regional, are getting ready to play in the 2023 Cal Ripken 10U World Series, set for Aug. 5-12 in Crown Point, Indiana. West Linn will open World Series pool play against Campbellsville, Kentucky, at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Jerry Ross Park’s D&L (A) Field.
Needless to say, the Lions are excited about what lies ahead.
“Going to the World Series, I’m really excited for that,” said pitcher/first baseman/outfielder Theo Eagle. “It’s basically a once in a lifetime chance and I’m ready to go.”
“I just want to have fun because it’s going to be our last tournament,” said first baseman/pitcher/outfielder Hudson Portlock. “But as a team, if we keep playing like we did in regionals and state, we’re gonna at least make it to bracket play maybe semifinals or finals.”
The West Linn team includes: outfielder Logan Glaze, Eagle, shortstop/second baseman/outfielder/pitcher Will Rolland, second baseman/outfielder Danny Tilton, outfielder/third baseman/catcher Owen Gulick, second baseman/outfielder Liam Hand, outfielder/pitcher Zyler Harvey, outfielder/pitcher Gaege Peng, catcher/outfielder Jackson Radochonski, shortstop/pitcher/third baseman Blake Holmes, third baseman/pitcher/catcher Harry Reed and Portlock, along with manager Ryan Holmes and coaches J.J. Portlock, Matt Radochonski and Myron Peng.
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West Linn’ s complete pool play schedule includes:
• West Linn vs. Campbellsville, Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Jerry Ross Park’s D&L (A) Field. Campbellsville is the Ohio Valley Regional runner-up.
• West Linn vs. Red Land, Pennsylvania, 2:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, at Jerry Ross Park’s D&L (A) Field. Is the Mid-Atlantic Region champion.
• West Linn vs. Altamonte, Florida, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Jerry Ross Park’s D&L (A) Field. Is the Mid-Atlantic Region champion.
The 24-team tournament will continue with play in championship and consolation brackets from Wednesday, Aug. 9 through Saturday, Aug. 12, with the tournament finale set for 3 p.m. Aug. 12 at Jerry Ross Park’s PHG (Major) Field.
Playing well, feeling optimistic
The Lions enter the World Series carrying a 13-game winning streak and a 39-15 overall record for the spring and summer of 2023. The Lions’ record includes six straight wins in the Oregon state tournament and another six at regionals.
“We play our best when the dugout’s really loud and everyone’s aggressive,” Reed said. “Everyone’s trying to draw walks everyone’s trying to hit.”
“I think the best part of our team this season is we have a really good connection,” Portlock said. “Some other teams, they get down on their players if they make a bad throw or they strike out. What I like about this season is our team builds each other up instead of breaking each other down.”
Ready to make memories
Regardless of what happens at the Series, however, the young Lions know they’ll enjoy the experience and know how many great experiences they’ve created already.
“My favorite thing was probably winning state and regionals,” Eagle said. “I was just really happy and excited because I know it’s gonna be a really fun time (at the World Series).”
“I still think winning regionals (was my favorite part of the season),” Reed said. “I remember everyone tackled the pitcher on the mound and everyone in the dugout was so happy and excited.”
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