KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Offense was the key for the 2024 Oregon Tech baseball team – averaging nearly eight runs per game, hitting 48 home runs, while setting a new school record with 148 stolen bases. With nearly all everyday position players returning, along with quality depth, the new Hustlin' Owls squad looks to continue the dominant attack.
 
Interim head coach Ricky Walker returns his entire outfield, an All-America catcher, along with the majority of the infield. That group posted a team batting average of .310 and an on-base percentage of .414 – while the Owls setting a new school mark with a .966 fielding percentage.
 
"We still have to determine what our everyday lineup is going to be – some of the pieces may move to work with our strengths – but in the end of the day, the key is to get the right lineup that will score the most runs and put the most pressure on an opposing pitcher," Walker said. "Over the last few years, we've put pressure by running the bases well and stealing bags – and that hasn't changed. Knowing the strengths of our offense, we will try to utilize the hit-and-run a little more – its circumstantial and a situational phase – but we have an offense that will be able to create a little more havoc."
 
That offense begins with Tyler Horner, as the senior is coming off one of the best seasons in program history. The catcher/third-baseman earned Cascade Conference Player of the Year and first-team NAIA All-America honors after hitting .396 with 59 RBI, tying school records with 16 home runs and 21 doubles.
 
In Walker's eyes, Horner is the heart and soul of this team.
 
"Tyler is the epitome of Tech Baseball and I don't say that lightly and that isn't to put others guys down, as we've had great players. It's not just his accolades and performance on the field, it's his leadership and the ownership in everything he does – as a 4.0 student and a 3-year captain. He wants to do everything right and holds others accountable to that. What you see on the on the field is just a small reflection of the man he truly is. He will lead the charge for us, but he recognizes he has a target on his back. However, he is humble and knows he just has to do his job, as there are other great bats in the line-up around him."
 
When Horner is playing third, look for Ty Blakely to get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate. Last year, Blakely finished the campaign with a .258 average, adding a homer and 17 RBI. Fellow catcher Ryan McCabe, coming off a redshirt season, will provide depth.
 
The Owls return two All-CCC picks on the left side of the infield – shortstop Patrick Barry and third-baseman Matthew Ortiz.
 
Barry had a breakout junior season in 2024, ranking second on the team with a .389 batting average, leading the club with a .488 on-base percentage, while adding 38 RBI and 17 stolen bases. Defensively, the senior played at a Gold Glove level at a difficult position.
 
"In football terms, I think a catcher is the center of our team and our shortstop is the quarterback – and you don't get much better of a quarterback than Patrick Barry," Walker said. "He brings the energy to this team and holds himself to a high standard – and will do whatever it takes to win. He wants the ball hit to him – he is relentless and fearless at shortstop."
 
A four-year starter, Ortiz had another great campaign in 2024, hitting .343 with four homers and 39 RBI – adding 39 RBI. He will slide over to second base, when Horner is playing third, providing another high-level glove.
 
Second baseman Korrey Siracusa missed much of last season due to injury, but still posted a .465 on-base percentage and 14 RBI and will serve as the designated hitter when Ortiz moves to the right side of the infield.
 
"Having Ortiz at third and Siracusa at second is huge – the bats and the experience they bring allows us to stack our line-up and drive in runs and keep the offensive machine going – while both being lockdown defenders," Walker said.
 
Redshirt freshmen Logan Macy and J.D. Gunderson look to serve as back-up middle infielders, with Walker pleased with the development of his young players.
 
"Macy and Gunderson show the promise of the future and they will get their time this year," Walker said. "Our infield is a hard infield to crack."
 
Tech will have a new first baseman this season, as Kyle Norton transferred out of the program. The Owls will turn to Jacob Cook and Garrett Smith to command the right side of the infield.
 
Cook, a hometown player from Klamath Union High, had a quality fall camp and provides a left-handed bat in the order and a big frame defensively. Smith, who spent last season at Division II MSU-Billings, provides a big right-handed bat and a proven glove defensively.
 
"We've never had two legitimately quality defensive first baseman who can also swing it," Walker said. "Not only will they be vacuums at first, but provide a little extra speed and pop to our lineup. Cook does everything right, was voted a captain – he has every bit of grit in him. This fall, he finally tapped on his ceiling and is ready to break through it – he can hit a ball out of the yard, he can hit a ball to the left-center gap and go steal a bag. His athleticism and ability to defend at first base with a 6-foot-5 target will be key. Smith is a big right-handed power bat who was a 2-time NWAC Gold Glove pick. The two will complement each other well."
 
Three others – senior Chase Hedani, sophomore Hunter Hough and junior Chase Southern – will provide depth at the corner infield spots.
 
Of all spots on the field, Walker is most excited about his outfielders – as the Hustlin' Owls return all three starters, each of whom are among the top defenders at their position in the CCC.
 
"I don't want to be presumptuous, but we consider our outfield the 'No Fly Zone'. Speed was our focus in the recruiting process – as we have the biggest outfield in the conference and the toughest to play, so speed is so incredibly important. We have 4-or-5 guys who can just go get a ball and when you have that much depth – it's crucial as playing four 9-inning games week after week can wear on your players – and we'll have the ability to give a guy a game or a day off and not have a drop off in our lineup."
 
All-CCC and Gold Glove right fielder Julien Jones returns for his third year – an imposing figure both at the plate and in the field. The senior hit .321 with seven home runs, 10 doubles and 47 RBI, adding 17 stolen bases, while leading all CCC defenders with nine outfield assists.
 
"Jones is a proven Gold Glove outfielder that has tremendous range and has a plus arm – he wants a team to test him as he wants to throw you out," Walker stated.
 
Four-year starting left fielder Ka'ala Tam has been a mainstay in the Tech lineup, coming off an outstanding year – hitting .318 with six homers, 12 doubles, 37 RBI and 16 stolen bases.
 
"Ka'ala Tam is a 4-year starter that has been a lockdown left fielder and will go get a ball," Walker said. "Honestly, is good enough to play center – which just makes us that much stronger – having a centerfield caliber defender in left."
 
Junior Dane Bradshaw took over the center field duties midway through last season and ran with it, finishing the year hitting .275 with two homers and 15 RBI, adding 15 stolen bases – while providing a stellar glove defensively.
 
"Bradshaw has two years of experience in our conference and is arguably one of the top defensive centerfielders in the NAIA," Walker said.
 
Behind them, senior Keanu Mizuta, transfer Michael O'Daniel from Santa Rosa CC, along with freshman Jake Wells, will provide key depth for the Owls.
 
"O'Daniel can zip around the outfield, Wells has a huge upside and we expect a big year from Mizuta – he's had big years in the past and his swing has looked better than ever," Walker remarked.
 
The line-up will be tested in the weeklong season-opening trip to California, playing seven games in seven days.
 
"We can't look past anyone in California, as all five teams will be quality opponents," Walker said of the early schedule. "Opening the trip against La Sierra, Westcliff and Bethesda – I know they have some guys who have bounced back from bigger schools and are teams that we know will compete. Hope International will be a great opportunity for our team to play the defending NAIA champions and closing the trip out at The Master's, a program that among the top of the GSAC every year. We are grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to make this trip and compete."