The Jesuit baseball team, coming off of multiple solid years ending in losses to West Linn in the playoffs, enter the 2025 campaign with a new core, but the same goal, to win a state title.
Last season, The Crusaders accumulated a record of 21-10, headlined by a 18-7 Metro League season. Led by head coach Colin Griffin, as well as senior pitchers Mickey McClaskey, Jacob Bishop, and Julius Christensen becoming the main rotation after losing Noble Meyer to the minor leagues and Ty Alleman to Santa Clara.
A main storyline is the upcoming senior season of Kainoa Santiago, who was sidelined with injury during his junior season, and is committed to Gonzaga University to continue his athletic and academic career. He’ll look to establish himself as the leader and a main threat to a state title.
Senior Carter Stewart is excited for the additional pieces to the roster this season, “We have a strong lineup with the majority of starters coming back from last year led by Kainoa, Carter, Jake, and Dillon Garg. We have a few younger kids who look to make an impact including Kyle [Goodwin], Ryder [Listy], and Chase [Kelly].”
Returning seniors Stewart, Johnny Ingalls, and Dylan Ruchaber all return to the lineup, along with the upbringing of junior Jake Rolling, who’s also committed to Gonzaga University.
Despite establishing a winning culture, Jesuit hasn’t been able to get over the hump to win a state title since 2019 when the Saders took down the Central Catholic Rams. Since then, West Linn has 3-peated.
Despite the recent playoff disappointments, Jesuit has built a culture that prides itself on confidence and belief, two of the primary requirements in a winning program.
“This year we have the same mindset as in previous years. We expect to win the state championship and we just need to take it game by game. To get over the hump, we just need to play our game and not try to do too much. Our lineup and pitching staff can compete with any team in the state and our guys are full of confidence this year,” Stewart said.
A part of becoming a championship team is getting up for the biggest matchups of the year, and with the Saders’ talent and confidence they look forward to playing some specific opponents.
“I am really looking forward to playing Sunset this year, they are a top team in the state and last season we dropped all 3 games against them all in very close games. This year, I look forward to having a great series against them. In the playoffs, whoever we get to play we need to take them as if they are the best team in the state, whether its round one or the championship. In the playoffs, it’s anyone’s game to win. We just have to have a winning mentality from pitch one to the last pitch of the game,” Stewart said.
Despite losing strength in the bullpen and some leadership, the Crusaders’ young core will prove to be a tough out throughout the course of the spring.
The Saders start their season facing Central Catholic at home on the 19th before heading to California to play Xavier Prep, Servite High School, and San Marcos. Their Metro League campaign starts on April 14th against Mountainside.
