Raider baseball starts 2025 campaign with 2-0 record

On Friday, the Portland High School varsity baseball team headed down to Alabama for their annual spring trip, but the Raiders were able to secure two wins before the headed South.

April 1st vs. Sexton

Game 1 – Portland 15, Sexton 0

Evan Thelen drove in four runs on two hits to lead Portland Varsity Raiders past Sexton 15-0 on Tuesday at Portland High School. Thelen doubled in the second scoring two, tripled in the first scoring one, and walked in the first scoring one.

Portland Varsity Raiders won thanks in part to 12 runs in the first inning. AJ Weber drew a walk, scoring one run, Thelen tripled, scoring one run, Brody Moore drew a walk, scoring one run, Gunnar Williams drew a walk, scoring one run, Hudson Martin singled, scoring two runs, Barrett Brennan singled, scoring two runs, Thelen drew a walk, scoring one run, an error scored one run, and Williams singled, scoring two runs.

Portland Varsity Raiders added two runs in the second after Thelen doubled to left field on a 3-0 count.

Thelen earned the win for Portland Varsity Raiders. The starting pitcher allowed zero hits and zero runs over one inning, striking out two and walking none. Williams and Max Sandborn each came on in relief for Portland Varsity Raiders and shutdown Sexton.

Thelen and Martin each collected two hits for Portland Varsity Raiders. Weber paced Portland Varsity Raiders with three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying 10 walks for the game. Martin, Williams, Weber, and Sandborn each stole multiple bases for Portland Varsity Raiders. Portland Varsity Raiders stole 14 bases in the game. Portland Varsity Raiders were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Moore had the most chances in the field with seven.

J Perez, C Roper, C Ware, and A Powers each collected one hit for Sexton.

Game 2 – Portland 17, Sexton 2

Tyler Smith collected three hits in four at bats, as Portland Varsity Raiders defeated Sexton 17-2 on Tuesday at Portland High School. Smith doubled in the fourth inning, singled in the third inning, and singled in the first inning.

Portland Varsity Raiders got on the board in the first inning after Trevor Smith singled, scoring one run.

G Blumberg singled to the left side of the infield, which helped Sexton tie the game at one in the top of the second.

Portland Varsity Raiders flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the second, scoring eight runs on four hits to take the lead, 9-1. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Mason Vallier that drove in three.

Portland Varsity Raiders added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Hudson Martin doubled to left field, Smith singled, Paul Roberts singled to right field, and Jack Gensterblum doubled to left field, each scoring one run.

Vallier earned the win for Portland Varsity Raiders. The pitcher surrendered two hits and one run over one inning, striking out one and walking none. C Charles took the loss for Sexton. The hurler went two innings, giving up 15 runs (13 earned) on nine hits, striking out three and walking four. Roberts started on the hill for Portland Varsity Raiders. The starting pitcher surrendered zero hits and zero runs over one inning, striking out three and walking none. A Powers started the game for Sexton. The hurler surrendered four hits and one run over one inning, striking out none and walking none. Smith pitched one inning of scoreless ball for Portland Varsity Raiders in relief. The hurler surrendered zero hits, striking out two and walking two.

Portland Varsity Raiders amassed 14 hits in the game. Martin, Roberts, Gensterblum, and Vallier each collected multiple hits for Portland Varsity Raiders. Barrett Brennan, Roberts, Smith, Smith, Gavin Werner, Zach Edlund, and Vallier each stole multiple bases for Portland Varsity Raiders. Portland Varsity Raiders stole 21 bases in the game. Portland Varsity Raiders didn't commit a single error in the field. Brennan had the most chances in the field with nine.

J Kelso-Mckinney, Powers, and Blumberg each collected one hit for Sexton. Blumberg went 1-for-1 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in.

The Raiders are set to return to action on Tuesday, April 15th when they host Olivet.