Junior Malia Williams pitched a four-hitter with 18 strikeouts to lead Marist Catholic to a 6-2 win over Henley in the final of the 4A Showcase softball tournament Saturday at U.S. Cellular Field in Medford.
Spartans coach Stefan Schroffner said that Williams pitched “an absolute gem” in handing the Hornets (18-1) their first loss of the season.
“She competes like no other when the pressure is highest,” Schroffner said. “We played great team defense when we needed to.”
Marist Catholic (18-1) scored four runs in the top of the third inning to take a 4-0 lead. The Spartans made it 5-0 in the fifth inning before Henley got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a hit by senior pitcher Carli Moore.
The Spartans had nine hits off Moore, who struck out 10 and walked four. The Hornets committed three errors and gave up four unearned runs.
Lindsey Sargent went 2 for 3 with an RBI and Williams had two hits for Marist Catholic. Paige Doerr, Chelsea Rustik and Kellie Schroffner also drove in runs for the Spartans.
Stefan Schroffner said his team “showed a ton of grit, toughness and focus” in wins over Mazama, Banks and Henley during the eight-team tournament. Marist Catholic, which lost only to reigning 6A champion Sheldon, outscored its opponents 223-13 this season.
“This Spartan softball team is truly made up of great players, and many of them are already technically skilled and have an extremely high softball IQ,” the coach said. “Credit Henley for being a great team and having a wonderful season, but this was Marist's day and there was no stopping that.”
Clatskanie triumphs
Clatskanie erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the third inning and cruised past Coastal Range League rival Rainier 9-1 in the final of the 3A Culminating Week Tournament in Springfield on Saturday.
The Tigers, who went 27-0 to win the 3A title in 2019, took three of four meetings against Rainier (16-3) this season and finished with a 15-1 record. Their winning streak reached 35 before falling to the Columbians May 10.
It was an emotional final game for the senior-led Tigers.
“I know I have a pretty big bias, but as a group they are the most competitive young kids that I have ever been around,” Clatskanie coach Kevin Sprague said. “And they do it while having such fun. They are relaxed and enjoying the moment, keeping everything in its proper perspective. They have taught me much about how to live a full, young life. I will miss them greatly.”
Down 1-0, Clatskanie erupted for seven runs on seven hits off Rainier senior Kyla Cook in the third inning. Kylie Thomas hit a two-run double, Kaity Sizemore hit a two-run single and Kalani Ausmus – who opened the inning with a triple -- finished the rally with an RBI double.
Ausmus went 3 for 3 and Olivia Sprague had two hits for the Tigers, who finished with nine hits. Senior Shelby Blodgett pitched a five-hitter with seven strikeouts and two walks to get the victory.
Kennedy dominates
Kennedy took first place in the season-ending 2A/1A tournament Saturday by defeating Grant Union/Prairie City 16-0 in five innings in the final at Redmond High School.
Sophomore Jenna Hopkins pitched a three-hitter with eight strikeouts and no walks as the Trojans – who won the 2A/1A title in 2018 and were runners-up in 2019 – finished the season with a 16-0 record.
Kennedy rapped 16 hits against the Prospectors (14-3). Junior Morgan Kyle went 3 for 3 with four RBIs and Hopkins, Ellie Cantu and Kelsey Kleinschmidt had three hits each.
The Trojans advanced to the final with an 8-1 win over Union/Cove on Saturday. Hopkins scattered six hits, striking out seven, and hit a home run in the win.
Bend finishes strong
Bend punctuated its outstanding season Saturday with a 12-2, five-inning win at McNary in a game matching 6A Mountain Valley Conference powers.
It was the 14th consecutive victory for Bend (18-1, 8-0), which lost only to 5A Pendleton. McNary (16-2, 4-1) finished the season with back-to-back losses to Sheldon and Bend after opening with 16 wins in a row.
Sophomore Gracie Goewey hit her 10th home run of the season and junior Lena Zahniser also went deep in the Lava Bears' win over the Celtics. Freshman Addisen Fisher earned the win in the circle, striking out 10.
In 56 innings this season, Fisher struck out 127 and did not walk a batter. Fisher and Goewey batted .574 to set a new single-season school record.
Bend's pitching staff – which featured Fisher, sophomore Allison Parker and Goewey – held opponents to a 6A-low 11 runs (four earned) and 29 hits for the season. The Lava Bears posted seven no-hitters and seven one-hitters.
All but one player is eligible to return in 2022.
jerryu@osaa.org
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