Dragons ready to defend state title

Dallas begins defense of its state title in baseball with a Tuesday game against Rex Putnam. The game, which is at home, begins at 5 p.m. Photo by Lance Masterson.

Dallas begins defense of its state title in softball with a 5 p.m. game against Putnam on Tuesday, at home.

The Kinsmen (9-5, 12-12 overall) finished fourth in the Northwest Oregon Conference.

Dallas tied Silverton for the Mid-Willamette Conference title, though the Foxes swept the season series.

Plans are for the top-seeded Dragons (16-2, 24-2) to adhere to a philosophy that worked so well during last year’s playoff run - take it one game at a time.

“Every year is different, but we take the same approach. We still have to focus on the things we have control over and continue to play the way we are capable of,” said coach Brandi Jackson. “This team knows the hard work you have to put in to get to where we want to be.”

The MWC is well represented at this year’s state tournament, with Silverton (3rd), Lebanon (4th), West Albany (8th),  Corvallis (10th) and Central/Falls City (15th) also making the cut.

The winner of Dallas/Putnam meets the winner of Eagle Point/West Albany on Friday, with time and place to be determined.

The Dragons went undefeated against every team not named Silverton during the regular season. A rematch of the perennial powerhouses is possible, but only if both teams reach the finals.