Photos Taken By the Clypian Photography Team. Graphic Made by Ari Guzman
This spring, South Salem High School leaps into action with many sports taking center stage. South offers a variety of spring sports, including softball, baseball, girls flag football, boys volleyball, track and field, tennis and golf. All starting on March 2.
Baseball
After a successful season last year, finishing 29-1, the team is preparing for a new challenge. South graduated several key players, including Gavin Price ’25, who hit five home runs, drove in 38 runs (RBIs) and posted a .419 batting average. Noah Scharer ’25, a right-handed pitcher, also contributed at the plate with four home runs during the 2025 season.right-handed pitcher, also contributed at the plate with four home runs during the 2025 season.
Despite these losses, the team remained optimistic with Teagan Scott ‘26 and Sawyer Nelson ‘26 ready to take the lead. Both of these players had outstanding seasons last year, with Scott carrying both offensively, with nine home runs, and defensively as being the team’s catcher. Sawyer Nelson, shortstop and third baseman, was also a standout player last season leading the team defensively, also contributing offensively with three home runs. While every team looks for success, this team does not define their success with wins.
“If we can put our heads down, become a group of bonded teammates, and just put in the work every single day, I think by the end of the season, we will look back and know we did some special things,” Head Coach Jesse Price said.
Boys Volleyball
With this boys volleyball entering into its fourth season at south salem high school, south looks forward for the start of a new season. Logan Scott ‘26, averaging 0.4 kills per set, adding up to 24 kills in the pervious season, looks forward to the this up coming season where the program can continue to grow and players can continue to advance the sport. Last season senior Vinh Tran, defensive specialist, lead the team by averaging 6 digs and 3 aces per-game, helped his team to an 8th place ranking in the state. This season the saxon volleyball team plans to fight for the state championship, as they prepare in intense practices and aggressive play.
“Once people get the chance to see the speed and power of the boys game it is only going to continue to grow.” Coach Matt Leichty said.
Flag Football
With spring comes girls flag football. Getting second in state last season, the girls get ready to play hard and earn the state title. South will be entering its 4th season of having a girls flag football team. With this new season comes new players and opportunities.
Losing several key senior last season, players like Leah Ioane ‘27 will be taking the lead. Ioane is a quarterback for the saxons, last season she had 983 passing yards, 158 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Coach Daniel Correa leads these athletes as the prepare for this season.
“Losing players wasn’t going to bring his team down but build opportunities for younger players to grow,” Kamryn DiNitto ‘28 said.
Track and Field
All sports require a level of dedication, and track is no exception. As they look forward to this upcoming season. Athletes and coaches all prepare for the many hours that they will spend on this sport.
“I love to see the growth and improvement in each individual athlete, that could be a less than a second faster in a race or just a few inches of a PR on a jump or a throw, the main goal for our team is to strive to get better through the season,” Track and Field coach Robert Salberg said.
Golf
As an individual sport Golf requires a lot of focus and dedication for it to be accomplished. These south athletes are no exception as they dedicate hours for practices and tournament. The average golf tournament for an individual player last 4 hours. Each tournament lasting up to all day.
“We always have a lot of fun as team, so I look forward to that. Also, watching the improvement of the girls week in and week out is awesome,”Girls Golf coach Aaron Howard said.
Tennis
South also offers both girls and boys tennis. They have both singles and doubles play. South girls player Saili Mahanti leads her team by taking 3rd in districts and playing in the state tournament. The teams both have a history of being very successful and hope to continue that in the up coming season.
Softball
With a rough previous season, South softball hopes to rebuild this season. Abigail Hennen ‘28 lead this team offensively with 2 home runs, the top offensive for the team. Ashley Orr ‘28 helps the team defensively leading the team from the behind the plate catching and leading the infield from shortstop.
This season the team welcomes back long time coach Scott Mccormick as the intern varsity coach for part of the season. Mccormick brought his team to the state tournament 3 times and won in 2014 the state title. Mccormick coached for both South and Mcnary softball ending his 42
