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Ten Oregon High School Matchups to Circle in 2026

March 9, 2026
Dylan Grenz
Assistant Scouting Director

As the 2026 high school baseball season begins, teams across the state carry high expectations and dreams of competing for state titles. Plenty of high-level matchups will take place throughout the spring. 

After the debut of the format in 2025, Prep Baseball Oregon is back for year two of highlighting ten matchups we're looking forward to this season. Game schedules were researched through Maxpreps and OSAA schedule releases. Whether it be a clash of top talent, rematches for playoff hopefuls, or intruiging team matchups and storylines, Oregon high school baseball will certainly offer diverse entertainment.

Below, we break down ten of the more intruiging matchups. Stay tuned this spring for Prep Baseball's complete high school baseball coverage, including our Power 25 Team Previews here.

Top 10 High School Matchups

4/1 - Sunset vs. Ridgeview

The defending 6A state champions heading into 2026, Sunset has several great matchups to highlight their spring schedule. We'll circle this one as Ridgeview is a team we're bullish on to compete for a 5A title. Sunset does lose two-time Prep Baseball Oregon Player of the Year and first round MLB Draft pick Kruz Schoolcraft. However, the Apollos return their innings leader in Parker Raubuch, pick up transfer Riley Via on the mound, and feature a talented lineup including Luke Sullivan and Marcus Pollard.

Ridgeview has skill all over the diamond coming off of a 19-6 season. The Ravens are led by two-way senior and Iowa Western CC commit Ryden Nakamura, who can do it all. Futures Game alum Diego Lopez can slot in near the top of the lineup at a middle infield spot, while young players Bennett Wyatt, Ryker Combs, and Rayden Becker are all intriguing follows. This should be a closely fought contest worth monitoring in the early season.

4/2 - Grant vs. Jesuit

This 6A state semifinals matchup delivered one of the most electrice environments we've ever been in attendance for, which should make for an exciting rematch. 6A runner-up Grant finished 22-8 last spring. The Generals will lean on their strong pitching, headlined by senior RHP and Feather River commit Jinki Tomita. Elliot Raiton can deliver on the mound as well and hit .411 with 6 home runs offensively, while transfer Nathaniel Kagen is another strong arm. Junior shortstop Grant Snidow elevates the ceiling of this team in a big way.

Meanwhile, Jesuit could have some standout pitching to lead the way. Junior LHP and Washington commit Chase Kelly is a strike thrower who spun over 50 innings to just over a 2 ERA last spring. Sophomore arm Ethan Peng was as impressive as any arm in his class this preseason and could be a breakout candidate. The offense for the Crusaders is loaded with skill, including Gonzaga commit Jacob Rolling at shortstop and junior Kyle Goodwin in the outfield. A matchup of two teams ranked in the top ten of our Preseason Power 25 Rankings will have plenty of eyes.

4/7 - South Salem vs. West Linn

How about the no. 1 vs 2 ranked teams in our Preseason Power 25? South Salem had a tremendous 2025 season, finishing 28-1, but fell short in the playoffs and will be hungry heading into the spring. POTY condenders litter the roster, with Oregon State commit Teagan Scott providing experience and offensive ability at the catcher position. INF and LMU commit Sawyer Nelson is trending upward as a prospect and was seen at Prep Baseball's prestigious Super 60 event this winter. Meanwhile, Oregon State RHP Harrison Buckingham is the top-ranked arm in Oregon's junior class, while Portland Commit Kellen Bowman is an extremely quality arm to fortify the rotation.

West Linn won three straight 6A state titles before falling short last year, which should make them hungry to get back to the top as well. The Lions have tremendous pitching with senior RHP/OF Seattle U commit Caden Klouda and senior RHP/INF Portland commit Ryan Hemsley at the top. RHP Henry Teague is another breakout candidate after a strong bullpen look this winter. Gavin Thaut, one of the top catchers in Oregon's junior class, headlines the position group. Games don't get much bigger than this heading into the HS season.

Sawyer Nelson - (02/05/2026)

4/7 - Clackamas vs. Tualatin

Another matchup of top-ten ranked teams. Clackamas will undoubtedly have the best collection of pitching on paper heading into the year. Junior LHP and Oregon commit Jaxon Wetzler has pro-level upside with a low 90's fastball and plus extension. Fellow junior and Future Game alum Cade King boasts an upper 80's heater. King, alongside LHP Ben Foglio, are both Washington commits who can shine in big spots. RHP and Mt. Hood commit Nick Sousa was great in a look this winter, while INF/Portland commit Luke Brady and C/Lower Columbia commit Nolan Foglio lead the position player group.

Tualatin is headlined by POTY contender Trenton Hertzog. The versatile defender is known for his offensive prowess from the left side, but turned heads with a ton of success as a RHP last spring. The Oregon commit will be joined by fellow seniors Owen Hagerman and Bushnell commit Calen Simonelic as returners to the lineup. RHP Shane Haddad Jr. is another intriguing arm for the Timberwolves, who should be better than their 16-11 finish last spring.

4/10 - Willamette vs. Lake Oswego

This matchup should be another pitching heavy bout with talent littered across the field. Willamette has an argument for one of the best staffs in Oregon. Junior RHP Mason Christian is arguably the top remaining uncommitted player in his class, boasting a fastball into the 90's from a durable 6'3 frame. The addition of transfer and second-ranked sophomore RHP Zeke Thomas cannot go understated, lifting the ceiling of this team tremendously. Senior RHP/INF Jackson Doughty is a very important arm as well, impressing in 2025 before committing to Linn-Benton CC. 

Lake Oswego should vastly improve on their 2025 record, and are led by another Linn-Benton commit in Carsten Lemon. The two-way talent boasts an upper-80's fastball on the mound and big power potential at the plate. Caden Gerritz is another key two-way player, providing speed in CF and innings on the bump. This is a matchup of two teams we expect to be significantly better this year than last, leaning on quality arms.

4/11 - North Medford vs. Grants Pass

The battles in Southern Oregon are always intriguing follows, and two of the better teams down south will face off here. Junior Brady Patterson impressed in a Preseason ID look this winter and will lead the way offensively. LHP Cade Pettersen will be asked to do more on the mound, while top-ten ranked freshman Quincy Ballard is a tall, lean lefty arm to follow down the road.

Grants Pass was just a shade over .500 last season, but should be a better side in 2026. The senior group of position players headlines the team. Senior catcher and Ohlone CC commit Nathan Bassett provides some physicality and power, while INF/Clackamas CC commit Erick Pezqueda and INF Evan Valenzuela carry offensive skill too. The pitching will be worth monitoring, but Grants Pass will lean on their experience in this Southern Oregon matchup.

4/16 - Central Catholic vs. Barlow

High level players will litter the field in this one. Though Barlow does lose MLB Draft pick River Hamilton on the mound, the return talented juniors Amari Reynolds and Zaydon Marguth as two-way players. Both players are top of the order type bats who hit over .300 last spring. Meanwhile, the Bruins should be lifted by the arrival of freshman LHP Landon Elmer. The second ranked player in Oregon's 2029 class has a mid 80's fastball and pitchability beyond his years.

Meanwhile, Central Catholic come off of a 22-4 season and are led by top-ranked 2028 Sam Smith. Smith was remarkable in his freshman season both on the mound and atop the lineup. He further established his pedigree with his PNW Preseason All-State workout, running a 6.47 60 and flashing near triple digit exit velocities. Grady Olson is another intriguing arm who saw success in 2025, while freshman Cole Migaki is a pick to click as one of the best 2029's in the state. Both teams are on the younger side but will be led by talented underclassman in this game.

4/20 - Central vs. Silverton

D1 players are not often seen on both 5A teams in Oregon, but they'll headline this matchup late in April. Central boasts one of the best tandems offensively in the PNW. Top-ranked 2027 C/RHP Joe Mendazona Jr. is a highly skilled lefty bat with a plus arm, committed to TCU. INF JT Girod has as smooth of a game as anyone and was great at last summer's Prep Baseball Future Games before committing to Oregon. Fellow junior Jackson Barba is another key player who shined in a recent Preseason ID.

Silverton are led by one of junior INF/RHP James Collier. No stranger to putting up big numbers, Collier posted exit velocities up to 103 MPH to go alongside a 90 MPH fastball at a recent winter showcase. The Portland commit is one of the most physically imposing players in the area in a 6'4, 235 pound frame. Junior Colson Swartz is a nice contrast for Silverton with speed and bat-to-ball skill present. Expect both sides to lean on their top-end players in this one.

5/4 - Glencoe vs. Sherwood

An intriguing battle of strength on strength will take place late in the season. Glencoe features one of the best LHP in the area in senior August Ware. The Oregon State commit has been an arrow up prospect for the last year or two, working an electric fastball into the low 90's for strikes in a 6'5, 225 pound frame. Ware can dominate any lineup on his best day. Junior catcher Caden Kingsbury is another prospect to watch for Glencoe, providing a physical 6'4 presence with mid 90's exit velocities, a 7 flat run time and 2.02 pop times.

Meanwhile, the strength of Sherwood is undoubtedly their bats. Infielder Manny Ehinger may be the biggest impact transfer this spring as the second ranked junior in the class. The Oregon commit has immense offensive ability when locked in. Senior Linn-Benton commit Maguire Gray has massive power, while sophomore C/OF Drew Schmidt has speed and offensive skill. The pitching staff is headlined by senior LHP and Everett CC commit Alex Lopez. 

5/20 - Wilsonville vs. Canby

Two teams that worked deep into last year's 5A state tournament headline the final of our ten matchups to circle. Wilsonville had a remarkable 2025, finishing 29-1 and losing only to the eventual state champions Summit. Senior RHP and Lewis & Clark commit Colby Kosderka returns as a workhorse on the mound, spinning 56 innings to a 1.87 ERA last year. Sophomore OF Beau Johnson will be a sparkplug atop the lineup, while bats such as Cole Weber and Gabriel Cruz return after seeing success last spring.

Canby lost in the 5A state title game and will be hungry for another shot. Though they lose a majority of their lineup from a season ago, they return their top player in RHP/OF Jack Brauckmiller. The tall righty was one of the best in the state last spring, throwing 67.2 IP to an incredible 0.72 ERA. Senior Blake Miller will be a valuable piece as well, hitting .341 with 20 RBI last season. Two teams that look to make noise at the 5A level will face off in an important late season matchup.

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