There is a common goal for the players from Tualatin High School: take home a state title.

Seniors Trenton Hertzog, an Oregon commit, and Calen Simonelic, a Bushnell commit, both echoed that sentiment, after the Timberwolves were bounced in the 6A state round of 16 last season.

This year, Tualatin has steadily climbed up Prep Baseball’s Power 25 out of Oregon, sticking at the No. 2 spot the past three weeks after being ranked 8th in the Preseason Power rankings. The Timberwolves currently hold a record well over .500, having just lost a series to West Linn, dropping two of their three games. However, they have been on a tear this season and have showcased their consistency. The team has strived to work as a united front, following a "tough-and-together" motto, which matches the “TT” seen on their hats and jerseys.  

“We just want a tight-knit group. We want everybody to put the team first and be willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the team,” head coach Jake Austin said. “Baseball's such a mental game, and a big focus of ours is kind of staying neutral during the highs and lows of the season.”

This year, Austin had the team take a more old-school approach to capitalize on being consistent by putting the ball in play, and being tough with two strikes on offense.

“We've preached all year, just really focusing on staying present. We kind of have a one-pitch, one-game mentality… Not look ahead, not look behind, and just stay focused on the next play, next pitch,” Austin said.

This has translated well onto the team as they have been able to maintain a solid momentum through consistent offense. Simonelic and Hertzog, as experienced upperclassman, have emphasized the importance of confidence with a common theme of doing some damage at the plate.  

“I want to be aggressive, and I know that if they throw me a strike, I'm going to do some damage with it…I'm really thinking less about getting a hit and more about just doing a job,” Simonelic said.  

After seeing some quality pitching last summer with his travel ball team, Simonelic has been able to use the experience as he goes up to the plate, feeling prepared for any arm.  

“It's nothing I haven't seen before, and that just helps me feel a lot more confident, like knowing that I've already done this and that it's nothing that I can't handle,” Simonelic said.