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SHANE FULLER/Stat Hound contributor
Vikings coach tree standing tall as baseball playoffs get going
Selah, West Valley and Naches Valley find different paths to familiar place
By JERREL SWENNING/Stat Hound
May 23, 2026
YAKIMA – If the West Valley, Selah and Naches Valley baseball seasons were related to where they expected to be in May, a quick summary might say: the Rams are on schedule, the Vikings are ahead of schedule, and Rangers are back on schedule.
All three squads are headed to various spot in the state – the Rams will host a Class 4A regional at Yakima County Stadium, the Vikings head north for 2A foursome at Othello, while the Rangers make the long trek to Whatcom County for 1A action.
And all have deep coaching roots in Selah.
Hall of Fame Vikings coach Mike Archer has guided the program to the state tournament all but two seasons since he took over for his father, Bob Archer in 1996.
Selah has claimed 14 top-four trophies – including fourth last spring – and 2A championships in 2016 and 2019.
Yet this season’s trip to the state tournament could be some of his best work.
Six freshmen not only dot the Vikings’ roster, they're playing big roles in the team’s success.
Easton Jones started the district championship last week against Ellensburg, and shut down the Bulldogs until he faded late in Selah’s 11-6 victory.
He was backed defensively at second base by fellow ninth-grader Colton Barthel.
“They’ve all played well, and they’re pretty cool customers in big situations,” said Archer, whose team is seeded 11th and meets No. 6 Columbia River at 10 a.m. Saturday. “They ask questions and they learn.”
They also feed on the leadership of all-leaguer Braxton Young, himself also a fixture in the Vikings lineup since he was a freshman.
“He not only leads by example, but he’s also a competitor,” he said.
West Valley picked up where it let off last season.
Unbeaten in the CBBN a year ago, the Rams were upended on their home field in the first round of the state playoffs by Sumner.
They haven’t lost since.
Class 4A’s only undefeated team is the fourth seed, and will takes on No. 13 Curtis to start the action at County Stadium at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Led by CBBN Player of the Year Colby Graham at shortstop and atop the batting, and repeat conference Pitcher of the Year Rhyse Elder, West Valley makes the short 9-mile jaunt to the home of the Yakima Valley Pippins and former locale for the 2A and 1A final fours.
Second year Rams coach Brooks Archer, Mike Archer’s eldest son and CWAC MVP for the Viks, is happy they’re playing in a bigger stadium.
“I think it’s great to be playing there,” said the younger Archer, who is 38-0 against CBBN competition. “The atmosphere at County Stadium will add to it, and the players will soak it all in.”
A few weeks ago, Naches Valley’s trajectory looked short of a state berth.
But Rangers coach Jake Fife righted the ship, leading them to wins in four of their last six games, including a 10-0 victory against Connell to secure the 1A state berth after they missed out last year.
“We just had to kind of grind, and really take it day by day,” said Fife, Mike Archer’s nephew and also a former CWAC MVP. “We talked a little about it – state is the expectation.”
And, along with his cousin’s success, enough to get a Hall of Famer to smile.
“I’m real proud of those guys,” Mike Archer said.