Yamhill-Carlton, Dayton fall in Class 3A state softball semifinals

Yamhill-Carlton, Dayton fall in Class 3A state softball semifinals

The final two teams from Yamhill County left in either the baseball or softball team saw their seasons come to an end as No. 3 Yamhill-Carlton fell at No. 2 South Umpqua 5-0 while No. 4 Dayton lost at No. 1 Vale 7-1 on Tuesday in the Class 3A state softball semifinals. In YCHS' loss, South Umpqua (27-2 overall) scored a pair of runs in the first to take an early lead before adding a run in the third and two more in the fifth. The Tigers were held to one hit - a double from Addison Tuning. Taylo


Clayton Jones

Clayton Jones

Little Red and I have been busy … Newsletter debuts Wednesday
Little Red (lower left corner) parked behind the Welcome to Yamhill County sign on 99W.

Little Red and I have been busy … Newsletter debuts Wednesday

Two weeks into this venture called The 99 and I've already put a few miles on LR (Little Red, my 11-year-old pickup) crossing the county. * Ten baseball and softball games - McMinnville, Newberg, Dayton, Yamhill, Willamina and one trip to Hillsboro for a state quarterfinal.  * A walk through a cemetery on a quiet afternoon with a story already forming. * A local restaurant I can't wait to tell you about.  * A stop at Veterans Park in Sheridan on Memorial Day on my way back from Willamina.


Clayton Jones

Clayton Jones

McMinnville softball, Newberg baseball fall in state quarterfinals; YCHS, Dayton advance to semis in 3A softball

McMinnville softball, Newberg baseball fall in state quarterfinals; YCHS, Dayton advance to semis in 3A softball

Both of Yamhill County's 6A squads still remaining in the state playoffs fell while both of the 3A teams advanced to the semifinals in Friday's quarterfinal baseball and softball action. The No. 14 McMinnville softball team (15-13) fell to Pacific Conference foe and sixth-seeded Glencoe (24-6), 5-0 in Hillsboro while Newberg baseball (23-7) took a 2-0 lead on No. 2 Tualatin (24-6) into the bottom of the fourth before falling 11-4. In 3A softball, No. 3 Yamhill-Carlton (26-3) had no trouble wit


Clayton Jones

Clayton Jones

Newberg baseball advances to 6A quarterfinals, Mac softball upsets #3 Forest Grove while Dayton, Yamhill-Carlton advance in 3A softball

Newberg baseball advances to 6A quarterfinals, Mac softball upsets #3 Forest Grove while Dayton, Yamhill-Carlton advance in 3A softball

Yamhill County will enter Friday's baseball and softball state quarterfinals with four teams still alive after YamCo went 4-2 Wednesday in the round of 16. Newberg baseball continued its great 2026 season with an 8-4 win over North Medford to advance to the Class 6A state quarterfinals while McMinnville softball had the upset of the day as the 14th-seeded Grizzlies knocked off Pacific Conference foe and No. 3 Forest Grove 7-4 in Forest Grove. In 3A, No. 4 Dayton softball looked like the defend


Clayton Jones

Clayton Jones

YamCo baseball, softball goes 4-1 on opening day of state (updated Wednesday schedule)

YamCo baseball, softball goes 4-1 on opening day of state (updated Wednesday schedule)

The Yamhill County baseball and softball teams saw a successful day one of the OSAA state baseball and softball tournaments - going a combined 4-1. All three YamCo home teams (Newberg baseball, McMinnville and Willamina/Sheridan softball) won while McMinnville baseball pulled off an "upset" as the No. 19 Grizzlies beat No. 14 Beaverton on the road. Wednesday will see six YamCo teams in action with three happening in the county - Newberg baseball hosts North Medford (after beating South Medford


Clayton Jones

Clayton Jones

State tourney time is here, Yamhill County - find your team's schedule inside

State tourney time is here, Yamhill County - find your team's schedule inside

For seven baseball and softball teams in Yamhill County, this week is the one where memories get made for a lifetime. It's state tourney time. Win or go home. Every inning, every pitch, every at-bat carries more weight. For some teams in the county, there's the pressure of expectations and the steadiness of experience. For others, there's nothing to lose - and that's its own kind of fuel. As someone who grew up in a large city but spent most of his adult life in smaller, single-school communit


Clayton Jones

Clayton Jones

Martha's Tacos & More: A tasty spot on 99 in Lafayette

Martha's Tacos & More: A tasty spot on 99 in Lafayette

0:00 /0:28 1× If you haven’t been to Martha’s Tacos & More in Lafayette, this is your sign. Martha herself was at the counter when I stopped in. The food is outstanding and honestly a great deal. They’ve been on 99W since 1998 - the Oregonian even named them one of the top 10 taco spots on the highway - and once you try it you’ll understand why they’re still here. I got the carne asada burrito bowl to go. My wife got the chicken. She’s the more seriou


Clayton Jones

Clayton Jones