Sisters plays tough in state tourney

Ian McAlister sprints down the basepaths in Outlaws tournament baseball action.

Sisters American Legion Outlaws made their first-ever appearance in the eight-team State Tournament at David Douglas High School in Portland, finishing with a 1-2 record.

The five-day double elimination tournament consisted of Canby, David Douglas, Sherwood, La Grande, Ashland, McKay (Salem), Yamhill-Carlton and Sisters.

Sisters played a strong Canby team only to fall behind 8-0 in the first inning and 13-2 in the sixth inning.

The kids adjusted their level of play and found themselves down 14-7 entering the ninth inning.

In the ninth inning, many neutral spectators rooted for the upstart Outlaws, who narrowed the lead to 14-13 with bases loaded and only one out.

A pop fly to the infield and a strike out ended the threat, sending Sisters to defeat.

Lucas Denzer and Seth Teague finished the game with three hits while Matt Harp and Mike Greene contributed two hits to the cause.

Ryan Harper pitched three innings of scoreless relief.

With their backs to the wall, Sisters opened game two against Sherwood only to fall behind 5-0 in the first inning.

Ryan Harper came on in relief and gave up only five hits over the remaining eight innings keeping Sherwood's bats at bay while Sisters chipped away to take a 9-5 lead in the seventh and hold on for a 9-7 win.

With six teams remaining in the tournament, Sisters drew McKay out of Salem in what became the third nail-biter in three games.

Once again, Sisters couldn't get out of the first inning without digging themselves a 5-0 hole.

Evan Livsey came on in relief in the second inning, scattering seven hits over the remaining eight innings keeping McKay bats controlled to give Sisters a chance.

Trailing 11-2 entering the bottom of the sixth, the Outlaws made their charge, narrowing the lead to 11-6 at the end of six innings and 11-9 at the end of eight innings.

Sisters opened the ninth with a double by Matt Harp and a walk by Mike Greene.

With runners on first and second and no outs, an attempted bunt popped up to the pitcher doubling up the runner at first to squelch the rally.

Sisters finished the tournament at 1-2 and completed the year at 19-16.

The Outlaws team is: Matt Harp, Pat MacFarland, Chris Boyle, Mike Greene, Jacob Crowder, Lucas Denzer, Ryan Harper, Evan Livsey, Nathan Powell, Seth Teague, Ian McAllister, and Joel Meyer.