ADAIR VILLAGE — Playing American Legion ball together last summer, Philomath’s Caleb Babcock and Santiam Christian’s Josh Riddle developed a friendship. But in the season opener for both baseball teams Monday, Babcock and Riddle had to push that aside and put on their game faces as the starting pitchers for their respective teams.
In a game that featured 25 combined strikeouts — including 10 by Babcock and four by Riddle — the Warriors posted a 3-1 victory.
PHS baseball takes opener on trip to eastern Oregon
The Philomath High School baseball team opened a two-day road trip to eastern Oregon on Friday evening with a 10-6 victory over La Grande. The Warriors (4-3) were clinging to a 5-4 lead going into the fifth inning before adding insurance runs, including three in the top of the seventh. Junior AJ Altishin had two…
“I was just on time for the fastball that I knew could do damage,” said Babcock, a southpaw junior who allowed one hit, three walks and no earned runs in his four-inning appearance.
“Caleb did what we were hoping and expecting that he would do for us,” PHS coach Levi Webber said. “He put a ton of time and effort into the offseason and is really prepared for this season in a really good way. And he showed it today.”
Santiam Christian (0-1) picked up an unearned run against Babcock in the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie. Justin Oberfoell got into scoring position by drawing a walk and advancing to second on a passed ball. Later with two outs, teammate Jace O’Malley put a ball in play to shortstop Kayson Olsen and reached on an error while Oberfoell raced around third and beat a throw home.
“The kid did a good job fighting it off, got jammed and hit a ball in the 6 hole where Kason couldn’t quite make a play for him,” Webber said. “Other than that, Caleb was phenomenal … it was good to see him come out like that.”
PHS senior Joe Barnes relieved and over the final three innings, gave up no hits, no walks and no runs with seven strikeouts.
“Joe just got back from his skiing regional so he’s straight off the plane and hopping in there,” Webber said. “It was good to see him come out in that first inning and command the zone and throw a bunch of strikes.”
In the sixth, Barnes had control issues and hit three batters to load the bases. But he regrouped and ended the inning with a strikeout.
“He got himself in a little bit of trouble but he found a way to get out of it, which is good to see because no matter where you are in the season, you’re going to have situations where you’re going to have to find a way to battle your way out,” Webber said.
Before loading the bases in the sixth, Barnes had an exceptional sequence against a Santiam Christian batter.
“For the second out he got that inning, he threw three straight sliders with that kid,” Webber said. “That’s pretty impressive for a high school kid to throw three straight sliders and get a punchout.”
Philomath’s offense collected seven hits against Santiam Christian’s three pitchers. Riddle left the mound after two innings with no hits allowed, four strikeouts and three walks. The Warriors pushed a run across in the fifth to tie the score, 1-1.
Sophomore Jacob Hernandez, who was making his varsity debut in the leadoff position, hit a two-out single to right field and later advanced to second on a passed ball. Babcock then singled to drive in Hernandez. The inning ended on the same play, however, as Babcock was tagged out trying to take second on the throw home.
In the sixth, Olsen led off with a bunt single, stole second and scored on a double down the left-field line by junior Rocco De La Rosa.
The Warriors scored their third run in the seventh when a two-out balk sent sophomore Nate Bennett home. Bennett had reached earlier on a one-out infield single.
Philomath (1-0) has not had a lot of early season success in recent years. The Warriors bucked the trend to open 2025.
“Last year, we started off not so hot,” Babcock said. “It’s good momentum to get a win in the first game.”
It was the first season-opening win for the Warriors since the COVID season of 2021.
“Santiam Christian is going to be a good club this year,” Webber said. “They’re a good quality team and so to come out and get that win in a 3-1 game, it’s good to get the first one.”
Hernandez went 2 for 2 with two walks in four plate appearances. He had no qualms about leading off.
“Last year on JV I did that, so I’m used to it,” he said. “I know leadoff is supposed to get on base and start it up for your team and that’s what I did.”
Webber said Hernandez improved during summer ball last year along with his offseason work.
“He’s one of those guys that just finds a way to get on base,” Webber said. “He’s an athletic kid that has a good feel out there so he can wreak some havoc once he gets on base.”
Bennett, who was batting ninth, finished 2 for 3. Philomath played the game with only one player available off the bench.
Hernandez believes that with the talent that’s back this season, the Warriors can be pretty good.
“We had a few people that had to come in and play because we had some players that couldn’t play today,” Hernandez said. “But I think we’re looking good … we’re going to be competitive.”
Philomath will hit the diamond again Friday with a trip down to Junction City. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
