The Cinderella of the Class 6A State Tournament is headed to the championship game on Saturday afternoon, as No. 14 Canby picked up a 14-9 win at No. 7 Clackamas in the state semifinals on Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday’s game was a high-scoring affair, with both teams having a seven-run inning to make the game 7-7 going into the fifth inning.
But the Cougars scored six runs in the top of the fifth inning, starting with Joe Brauckmiller drawing a walk to force Dominik Pepper home.
Theo Netter led the way for the Cougars, with two hits, two runs scored and four RBIs. He hit a two-run double in the top of the second inning that got Canby’s offense rolling.
Clayton Langdale and Adam Evans each had one hit and two RBIs. Langdale’s two-run home run in the top of the second inning capped off the Cougars’ seven-run inning. Bryce Oliver had two hits and one RBI.
Brauckmiller picked up the win for the Cavaliers. In 3.2 innings, the senior allowed eight hits, seven runs and no walks while striking out four. Adam Evans pitched a third of an inning, allowing one hit and walking two. Carson Guretzki pitched 0.2 innings, allowing one hit, two runs and no walks while striking out one. Kellan Oakes pitched 2.1 innings, allowing no hits, no runs, walking one and striking out three.
The Cougars have been road warriors this postseason. After beating Bend in the first round of the state tournament, Canby has been on the road for three straight wins over higher-ranked opponents.
The last time the Cougars played in the state championship game was in 1960. That year, Canby lost 4-0 to Seaside in the A-2 Classification title game.
For Clackamas, Matthew Tacheny started on the mound. In 1.2 innings, the junior allowed five hits, six runs, walked two and struck out four. Maurice Mayers pitched 2.2 innings, allowing four hits, three runs, walking two and striking out two. Jackson Jaha is credited with the loss. In 0.1 innings, he allowed one hit, four runs and walked two. Nick Holm pitched the final 2.1 innings, allowing two hits, one run, walking one and striking out two.
Jacen Rademacher had two hits and three RBIs for Clackamas, including a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Class 6A state championship game will be held on Saturday at the Volcanos Stadium in Keizer.
— Nik Streng, nstreng@oregonian.com, @NikStreng
