Saints tighten the knot; unravel Chemeketa, tangle with Clackamas

Softball is winding down in the Northwest Athletic Conference, putting pressure on teams across the league. Mt. Hood is currently sitting pretty atop the South at 11-3 in regional play, 27-8 in conference, but head coach Meadow McWhorter isn’t taking anything for granted.

“We have so much respect for all of our opponents, we always have to bring our ‘A’ game,” she said.

Case in point: team’s last two series.

The Saints played host to the Storm of Chemeketa on Saturday, a match-up that, on paper, shouldn’t provide a huge test to the Mt. Hood women, considering Chemeketa has a strong hold on last place in the South.

The Storm came out strong, though, and pushed the Saints early by scoring a pair in the first inning of game one. McWhorter replaced Kendal Cox in the circle early, inserting ace Kayla Byers to stop the bleeding. The Saints answered back in the bottom of the inning on the first of three runs Rachel Rutledge would drive in on the afternoon, and Byers shut the door from there. Byers took the “W” after 6.2 innings pitched and racked up nine punch-outs without allowing a walk as Mt. Hood won, 4-2.

The Saints’ offense perked up in the second game, scoring 12 runs across five innings to trigger the mercy rule. Catcher Darian Lindsey and outfielder Tiara Champ both reached base three times in four plate appearances, with Lindsey knocking in three runs and Champ a pair of her own. Sammie Byron started for Mt. Hood and was terrific, giving up only a couple of hits through four innings pitched before Cheyenne Vance closed it out.

“From top to bottom, we put together all the pieces,” said McWhorter.

Mt. Hood shifted its attention to rival Clackamas after the sweep. The Cougars had the Saints’ number during the teams’ last meeting, winning twice in Gresham. On Sunday, Byers toed the rubber in the first game, and put together a strong performance, matching her season-high 13 strikeouts she recorded back on April 9 against the same Cougars, during a loss. This time, she only gave up two first-inning runs in a complete-game effort, and Saints shortstop Megan Marcy drilled a two-run homer in the top of the first. Mt. Hood would win, 5-2.

“We came out on fire, put together quality at-bats and played excellent defense”, noted McWhorter. “Kayla threw a heck of a game and didn’t allow a run after the first.”

Unfortunately, momentum shifted to the home team in game two, as Clackamas put up a 10-spot on the Saints. Mt. Hood committed five errors in the contest, giving the Cougars extra opportunities and they took advantage.

McWhorter would say, “Our communication in adversity was not quality – we have to limit the ‘Oh, shoot’ moments and stay focused. But you know, it was just kind of one of those innings.”

Byers tried to helped her cause by driving in two runs, while Lindsey and Rutledge each collected a couple hits in the 10-5 defeat.

Next up, Mt. Hood invites Southwestern Oregon to Saints Field for Saturday’s doubleheader. McWhorter said, “We know we’ll have to bring the sticks, because they can hit.” The Saints stay home to host Lower Columbia  on Tuesday before closing out the regular season on the road in Vancouver against Clark next Friday.

Advocate Staff