The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Sisters High School varsity softball team proved that hard work pays off as it recorded its first win of the season, 4-3 over La Pine.

The win was the Outlaws' first of the season after a dozen defeats. They used all aspects of the game - offense, defense and pitching - to record the Sky-Em League victory.

Alexis Ogilvie drove in two runs and combined with junior pitcher Haylie Hudson for the victory. SHS scored first, but trailed 3-2 before scoring twice to secure the win.

Calling the game a defensive battle, Coach Ciera Jones said, "with two runners in scoring position my team kept composure and made a nice 6-3 play at the end. It was by far our best defensive game."

Sisters followed the win with an 8-1 loss, but got three base hits from Anja Gnos (including a double) and two from Leah McIntosh. Kylie Steiner singled in the Outlaws run.

Jones also praised Hudson, who struck out 10, and the defensive play of McIntosh.

"We hit the ball hard and out-hit Cottage Grove," said Jones. "If we keep putting the ball in play like we are, things will start happening. We just now need to string the hits together to produce runs. It was a great improvement from the first time we played them (Cottage Grove). We are starting to look like a team that wants to

compete."

The Outlaws, who played Cottage Grove on Monday, will be league-leading Sweet Home and at Elmira on Friday. Wednesday's home game at Volunteer Field starts at 4:30 p.m.

Overall, Sisters is 1-13 and 1-5 in league. Elmira and Sweet Home are 5-1.