Grant Union boys end season at state playoffs

Published 12:42 pm Tuesday, May 29, 2018

The 2A/1A Grant Union Prospector boys ended their season Wednesday in a state playoff round, falling 15-0 to The Brave of Reedsport.

“They’re a good team,” Grant Union head coach Dusty Williams said of their opponents. “They’ve been back and forth with Knappa for first and second (in state).”

Reedsport had only one loss on the season to a 4A school.

The Brave, coached by Jason Lavigne, racked up 9 runs early in the first inning off Prospector pitcher senior Zack Deiter.

Prospector Warner Robertson, a sophomore, relieved Deiter in the bottom of the first, and freshman Logan McCluskey came in at the bottom of the sixth. Reedsport added their final runs in the last three innings.

“We hit the ball a little bit, and had opportunities to score, but with their pitching velocity, we were just rolling over and popping up,” Williams said.

The Prospectors had a few hits, including seniors Wade Reimers and Ty McDaniel each hitting a double and Robertson hitting a single.

Grant Union hosted the Elgin Huskies Thursday, May 17, winning the league playoff game 8-1 for the shot in the state playoffs.

“It was a great opportunity for our kids to make it to the state level and see another level of competition,” Williams said. “We’re losing three great seniors, and they’re going to be missed. Maybe Grant Union can have a good run here in the next year or two.”

He said he was happy with his team this season.

“I was impressed with their dedication and work ethic,” he said. “They were just always working hard to get better. It’s been a great bunch of kids to work with.”

He added, “I want to thank Russ Reimers and Doug Sharp and my wife, Stephanie, for always being dedicated to the program.”

Williams said, due to his busy schedule working at the Grant County Fairgrounds, he turned in his resignation as coach after the game against Union.

“I’d like to thank Grant School District 3 for the opportunity to coach the past two years,” he said. “It’s been a great experience, and I wish the program the best.”

Deiter and Reimers both said they appreciated the underclassmen stepping up this year.

“It was a fun season,” Deiter said. “We ended up with a positive record.”

“I had fun this year,” Reimers said. “It was a good group of kids, and I got along with everyone. I’m proud of the younger players who had to step up in tough situations.”