Stayin’ alive
Ontario softball still alive in post-season play
Sunday, May 10, 2009 1:23 AM PDT
Argus Observer Sports Staff
Ontario-On senior day in Ontario, the Lady Tigers overcame 16 errors and used walk-off hits by Katie Hendon and Erika Hopper to secure a sweep of Mac-Hi and force a third-place tie with the Pioneers in Greater Oregon League softball action Saturday in Ontario.
“It was awesome. Both games turned out to be walk-off hits,” Ontario head coach David Hopper said. “Katie Hendon in the first game with an RBI single, and in the second game, a walkoff home run. Daughter or not, it was an awesome thing to have witnessed. It is always nice to beat Mac-Hi.”
In the opener, Ontario squandered a 6-0 lead, and Mac-Hi posted three runs in the fifth and seventh innings to even the score at 6-all.
In the bottom of the seventh, Ontario senior Jordan Barnett led off with a single, and Allison Yano tacked on a double to put runners on second and third with no outs.
Jenny Yano was walked to load the bases, for Hopper, who had a chance to play hero. Hopper grounded into a fielder’s choice and the bases remained loaded.
With one out, Hendon chased home Allison Yano with a game-winning RBI single to left field to give the Tigers a 7-6 win.
Jenny Yano picked up the win with a complete game, eight-hitter with nine strikeouts.
Hendon, who was thought to suffer a season-ending knee injury last week in a collision at third base against La Grande, came back Saturday with a 4-for-4 effort from the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
Senior Kim Boyd added two hits, two stolen bases, a run and an RBI. Barnett, Allison Yano and Ryla Erlebach added two hits apiece.
In the nightcap, Barnett cracked a three-run home run, and Hopper slammed a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead Ontario to an 8-7 victory.
Thanks to Barnett’s first-inning home run, the Tigers were up 6-3 in the top of the fifth when Mac-Hi came back.
The Pioneers scored three runs in the fifth to even the score, and regained the lead, at 7-6, with an unearned run in the top of the seventh.
In the home half of the seventh, Allison Yano led off with a single and after a foulout by Jenny Yano, Hopper came to the plate.
Hopper slammed the first pitch she saw over the left field fence for the two-run home run and the game-winner.
Katie Hendon, Barnett, Allison Yano, Jenny Yano and Hopper all had two hits apiece, and Boyd went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.
Jenny Yano picked up the win, as she allowed nine hits and struck out five.
“She’s a warrior and a battler. You could see she was frustrated, but she came back,” Hopper said. “Not at one time today did she quit or give up. She just continued to battle.”
Ontario (11-9 overall, 3-7 GOL) travels to Baker Thursday for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
Mac-Hi hosts first-place La Grande Saturday.
Game 1 Riverside 17, Vale 4
Game 2: Riverside 20, Vale 0
In Riverside, for all intents and purposes, the season is over for the Vale softball team.
The Vikings traveled to Riverside Friday, and came back home the recipients of a 17-4 and 20-0 doubleheader loss to the Pirates in Eastern Oregon League softball action.
In the opener, Riverside scored seven runs in the first and fourth innings to cruise to the lopsided win.
Vale scored a single run in the second and added three runs in the third for their only tallies.
Janessa Cooper and Nini Rutten tallied hits and Francene Hussey added two hits for the Vikings.
In the nigthcap, Vale committed 11 errors, and the Pirates tallied 14 hits in their 20-0 blowout win over the Vikings.
Riverside pitcher Brittney McCullough tossed a no-hitter, struck out seven and finished a hit batter shy of a perfect game.
Laken Perry picked up both losses for the Vikings, and allowed a total of 31 hits.
