Photo Credit: Salmon Savage Baseball Facebook Page

Written by: Jack Davis

The Salmon Savages baseball team is enjoying its best season in program history, currently sporting a record of 20-4 in just its seventh year of existence.

After debuting at 0-10 in 2019, Salmon has steadily built its program into a contender through improved depth, leadership and consistency across all grade levels, which has culminated in the first district baseball championship in school history, and hosting rights for one of this week's 3A State Regional Tournaments.

Just like the actual roads that lead into this eastern Idaho community, Salmon's journey to this point has been long, winding, and, at times, unpredictable.


Starting From Scratch

Head coach Mike Lane said the early years were challenging as the program worked to establish itself.

“It was tough, but we expected that,” Lane said. “We were just starting the high school program.”

In that first season, Salmon had just 14 players on the roster, including six freshmen, two sophomores, four juniors and two seniors. Several of those players had not played baseball in years but stepped in to help build the program.

One player joined after previously playing softball during her career, as Salmon did not have a high school softball team at the time.

Despite the effort, results were difficult to come by. Salmon finished 0-10, scoring 21 runs and allowing 105.

“Having those upperclassmen was critical in getting the program off the ground,” Lane said.

The following year brought another major challenge. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID, slowing the program’s early progress.

“Losing that season made it challenging to maintain momentum and keep players engaged,” Lane said.

Without games, the focus shifted to practices and scrimmages to keep players involved and continue development.

When competition returned, Salmon began to show improvement.

In 2021, the team finished 6-6 and placed third in the conference. The offense improved significantly, scoring 87 runs while allowing 60. Salmon also competed closely with established programs, including Challis-Mackay and Firth, showing clear progress from its first season.

The following year brought similar results, as Salmon finished 6-7. The roster featured 16 players, including 10 seniors, giving the team experience and depth.

However, that success created another challenge. After the season, Salmon graduated a large senior class and once again found itself rebuilding.

That transition started to show in 2023.

Salmon finished 0-10-1 and had just 11 players on the roster, including seven juniors and four freshmen. At one point early in the season, only seven players were available.

To continue competing, additional players stepped in despite not having played baseball in several years.

“That often gets overlooked,” Lane said. “The success we’re seeing today is due in part to those players stepping up.”

While the results did not reflect it at the time, those seasons helped lay the foundation for the program’s current success.


Building Blocks In Place

Now in its seventh season as a program, Salmon baseball has 24 players with a balanced distribution across all four grade levels, a key difference from previous years.

That balance has created stability and allowed the program to build consistency over time.

“Leadership within this group is stronger than it’s ever been,” Lane said. “It really reflects the ‘we, not me’ attitude.”

Another factor in Salmon’s improvement has been better preparation and organization.

In past seasons, limited schedules made it difficult to gain experience. Salmon often played between 8 and 14 regular-season games, while other teams played closer to 20 or more.

This year, Salmon played 21 regular-season games, providing more opportunities to compete and develop.

Junior Clayton Allen said that preparation has made a noticeable difference.

“We’ve been more organized this year,” Allen said. “We get to games early, get our work in, and take every game seriously.”

Allen also pointed to the team’s ability to finish games as a key factor.

“We’ve been able to win close games,” he said. “Last year, we lost a lot of one-run games, and that made a big difference.”

The improved approach has translated into results, with Salmon finishing the regular season 17-4 and establishing itself as one of the top teams in its classification. The Savages won 14 consecutive games to open the season, then swept West Jefferson, Firth and North Fremont by a combined score of 39-2 to win the 3A District 6 Tournament.

Senior Cody Cox said the turnaround has been evident throughout the season.

“It has been awesome seeing my guys win,” Cox said. “I’m more than blessed to be winning with them and playing baseball like I have been.”

Cox, who moved to Salmon from California, said his role as a senior has focused on leadership and maintaining energy.

“When someone gets out or makes an error, instead of pouting, we get louder,” he said. “Let your teammates pick you up.”

Cox also described his mindset on the mound as a key factor in his performance.

“When I step on the rubber, my mind goes blank,” he said. “I focus on the batter in front of me and trust my team behind me.”

That approach has helped him contribute in ways he had not in previous seasons.

After batting under .200 and not pitching the year before, Cox has played a larger role in the team’s success this season.

He said the coaching staff has played a major role in that development.

“Coach Lane, Coach (Bo) Kaufman and Coach (Keith) Director brought back my confidence,” Cox said. “They helped me love the game again.”


Preparing For The Postseason

As the State Regional Tournament approaches, confidence continues to build within the team.

Allen said the group is focused on continuing its momentum.

“I believe our team is extremely confident with the way we finished at districts,” Allen said. “We’re on a five-game winning streak, and that’s building momentum as we move forward.”

Lane said that despite the strong regular season, the team remains focused on its larger goals.

“Well, right now we aren’t special,” Lane said. “What will make us special is achieving the goals we set.”

Those goals include winning districts, regionals and a state championship.

The message has remained consistent throughout the season.

“All gas, no brakes,” Lane said. “That doesn’t change now.”


Home-Field Advantage

Salmon’s location also presents unique challenges, although this weekend it's an advantage, as Salmon earned the right to host Priest River and Wendell in the team's 3A State Regional Tournament.

With a population of approximately 3,200, Salmon is often a get-away destination for hunters, fishers and general lovers of the outdoors.

The town's location requires long travel distances for most games, often involving several hours on the road.

Lane said the team has adjusted to that reality.

“Growing up here, you forget that everyone doesn’t have to drive four hours to go play a game,” Lane said.

Instead of viewing it as a disadvantage, the team has embraced the routine.

And this weekend, the Savages will be well-rested while Priest River travels 315 miles (roughly seven hours of bus time). Wendell, meanwhile, faces a journey of 260 miles (roughly five hours of bus time).


Hometown Pride

For Lane, the program’s growth also carries personal significance.

A 2011 graduate of Salmon High, Lane did not have the opportunity to play high school baseball. Now, he is helping provide that opportunity for future players.

“The best word I can use to describe it is grateful,” Lane said.

He also gave credit to the support system around the program, including families and the community.

“It is a lot of commitment and time away from families,” Lane said. “They don’t always get enough credit.”

As Salmon prepares for postseason play, the focus remains on finishing the season strong and meeting the expectations set at the beginning of the year.

The Savages have already taken a significant step forward, but their goals remain ahead.

With improved depth, stronger leadership, and increased confidence, Salmon will be ready to compete. The Savages take the field to open the 3A State Regionals Friday at 5 p.m. against the winner of No. 5 Priest River and No. 9 Wendell.