Oregon
Takeaways: Oregon baseball goes 2-1 at Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Texas
Led by an impressive showing from its bullpen in its first two games, the Oregon baseball team won its season debut against Oklahoma on Friday, 4-2, then defeated Baylor 7-4, before falling to Texas Tech on Sunday, 11-7, all at the Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Texas.
The Ducks (2-1) new-look bullpen was on full display in its two openers, shutting the door on both the Sooners and Bears to take home victories before an inconsistent showing against the Red Raiders.
In their season opener against the Sooners the Ducks took an early 2-0 lead before Oklahoma tied it with two runs in the third. The teams traded scoreless innings until the Ducks finally broke through in the eighth, putting two runs across to earn the win.
Sacramento State transfer Jeffery Heard went 2-for-4 in his debut with a double, and Dominic Hellman had the lone RBI of the day. Starter RJ Gordon pitched 4 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and two earned runs. Grayson Grinsell pitched the next three scoreless innings with a punchout and just one hit allowed, and Michael Freund earned the save.
In their second game against Baylor, the Ducks fell into an early hole, trailing 4-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth. Oregon responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, and then back-to-back three-run innings in the fifth and sixth while the bullpen continued to deal.
Drew Smith went 2-for-5, Justin Cassella added a multi-hit day, going 2-for-3, and Heard continued his strong start with another 2-hit day and an RBI. Six Ducks had RBIs in a well-rounded day at the plate after a slow start. On the mound, transfer Kevin Seitter got the start and pitched four innings, allowing four runs with three earned on five hits.
Bradley Mullan earned the win out of the pen, pitching two scoreless innings with four punchouts. He, Jaxon Jordan and Logan Mercado combined to throw five scoreless with nine strikeouts, with Mercado earning the save.
In the Ducks finale against the Red Raiders, Oregon dug itself into too deep a hole, and stranded 13 on base in its first loss of the early season. At the plate, Smith continued his strong weekend, going 4-for-6 with three RBIs, and Carter Garate added a 4-for-4 line with a pair of doubles. Heard once again had a multi-hit day, going 2-for-5.
The Ducks were far less consistent on the mound Sunday, with six arms combining to allow 13 hits and 11 runs with 10 earned in eight innings pitched. Turner Spoljaric earned the start and only pitched an inning and a third, allowing five earned runs before getting yanked in the second inning. Freshman Toby Twist came out of the pen and pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs and striking out six.
Oregon takes on Lafayette in its home-opening four-game series at PK Park starting on Friday.
Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com and you can follow him on Twitter @AlecDietz.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multiple illicit massage businesses in Washington County were shut down on Friday following action by multiple law enforcement agencies.
The Office of Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said it worked alongside Sherwood police, Tigard police, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office to execute multiple warrants at illicit massage businesses.
Following months of surveillance into two of the illegal massage parlors in Sherwood, investigators conducted searches at four locations in total on Friday: a home in Southwest Portland, Goji Foot Spa and Aroma Spa in Sherwood, and Tigard’s Sunny Massage.
More than $45,000 of cash and evidence of prostitution was seized during the operation. Three people were also arrested for alleged prostitution-related charges and two were cited for operating a massage business without a license.
The investigation was carried out as part of the Oregon Department of Justice’s partnership with Washington County law enforcement agencies through the program Special Projects: Investigate, Respond, Enforce.
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Entertain This!
The Aviation American Gin Distillery and visitor center in Portland, Oregon, has closed its doors as the company behind the celebrity-backed spirits brand shifts its production strategy, according to multiple reports.
Diageo, the global spirits company that acquired Aviation American Gin in 2020, confirmed the closure to local TV stations KGW and KOIN, saying the decision was made because of changing business needs.
“This decision reflects evolving business needs, as we continue to support growth ambitions for our Aviation American Gin brand,” Diageo’s statement reads. “Aviation American Gin remains an important part of Diageo’s portfolio and we are committed to the brand, our customers and consumers.”
USA TODAY contacted Diageo on July 9 for comment and additional information regarding the closure.
The nearly 33,000-square-foot facility opened in September 2022 in northwest Portland, offering visitors a cocktail bar, tasting room, gift shop and tours highlighting the gin-making process, including distillation and bottling operations.
Portland’s House Spirits Distillery founded Aviation American Gin in the early 2000s and later became associated with Emmy Award-winning actor Ryan Reynolds, who acquired a stake in the company in 2018.
“A little over two years ago, I became an owner of Aviation Gin because I love the taste of Aviation more than any other spirit,” Reynoalds said in a statement in 2020 after Diageo acquired the company. “What I didn’t expect was the sheer creative joy learning a new industry would bring. Growing the brand with my company, Maximum Effort Marketing, has been among the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been involved with.”
Is Ryan Reynolds still a co-owner of Aviation Gin?
As of July 9, Reynolds remains an owner of Aviation Gin, according to his social media accounts. His Instagram says he owns Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Maxixum Effort and the Wrexham A.F.C. soccer club.
When Diageo acquired Aviation Gin, the acquisition agreement valued the deal at up to $610 million, including an initial payment of $335 million and a potential additional payment of up to $275 million based on the company’s performance over a 10-year period, according to a 2020 news release.
Diageo, one of the world’s largest spirits companies, also owns other alcohol brands including Captain Morgan, Crown Royal and Smirnoff.
What’s next for Aviation, Diageo?
Diageo said it had already begun moving Aviation’s production from Portland to other facilities in 2025 as part of an effort to improve efficiency and strengthen its North American operations, KGW reported.
Diageo also said Aviation American Gin will remain part of its portfolio despite the closure of the Oregon visitor center and distillery.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
The man wanted in connection with two Pierce County homicides was shot and killed by police in Seaside, Oregon, Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank announced on X Wednesday night.
Hayes McCloud, 24, was identified earlier in the day by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) as a person of interest in two killings — the first in Puyallup around 2:40 a.m. and the second in Tacoma shortly after 3 a.m.
On Wednesday night, authorities referred to him as a suspect.
“The suspect has been contacted by police in Seaside, Oregon,” PCSO said in a Facebook post. “We are no longer looking for the suspect and details of the contact and major incident that transpired in Oregon will be available once the investigation is concluded.”
After that announcement, Swank posted an update on X.
“After he killed the person in Tacoma, he drove away. We didn’t know where he went, but he was picked up by a Flock camera in Lewis County around 4 a.m. So we knew he was headed southbound at that point,” Swank’s post said. “The suspect was shot and killed by police in Seaside, Oregon. No cops were hurt. I’m glad he was stopped before he killed anyone else. Great police work!”
The murder suspect from the homicide on Woodland Avenue also shot and killed a person in Tacoma.
After he killed the person in Tacoma, he drove away. We didn’t know where he went, but he was picked up by a flock camera in Lewis County around 4:00 AM. So we knew he was headed…
— Sheriff Keith Swank (@SaveOurSheriff) July 9, 2026
35-year-old killed in Puyallup home early Wednesday
At 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to the 12500 block of Woodland Avenue E. in Puyallup after receiving reports that a man was found dead in a home. Two homeowners were at the scene when deputies arrived.
“The preliminary investigation indicates there was homicidal violence in a bedroom that eventually led outside the home,” the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reported. “The 35-year-old male was located inside the home with multiple deadly injuries. We have no suspect in custody at this time.”
Second homicide in Tacoma less than 30 minutes later
Just after 3 a.m., police responded to the 6900 block of E. D Street in Tacoma’s Hillsdale neighborhood after multiple people reported hearing gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Officers began lifesaving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
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