Baseball team competes in Arizona

While Sisters hunkered down under a replay of winter, the Outlaws baseball headed south for a spring break tournament in Boulder Creek, Arizona. The team played four games in sunny 85-degree weather and gained lots of experience against top-notch teams.

The Outlaws first game of the tourney was on Monday, March 24, against a team from Ralston Valley, Colorado. Ralston Valley is a school of approximately 1,700 students, and the team is ranked No. 1 in their division with four of their players college bound with full baseball scholarships. The Outlaws played their hearts out but lost the contest 13-2.

On Tuesday, Sisters faced Artesia, a team out of New Mexico. Artesia came into the tournament with the notoriety of winning 26 state football championships, including a title this year. The Outlaws fell 7-6 to Artesia in the seventh inning. Jarred Hasskamp and Tanner Hodges both got two RBI doubles to highlight the game. Taylor Davenport also had two hits in the game.

Wednesday, the Outlaws were beaten 12-2 by Arapaho, a school of 2,200 from Colorado.

"They had solid pitching in the 80s throughout the game," Coach Steve Hodges said. "They pitched with a lot of control and challenged us with the fastball. We had errors in the outfield, and I felt we played poorly. We could have played a lot better."

Sisters wrapped up their tournament play on Thursday. The Outlaws fell 10-6 to the host team, Boulder Creek, who boasts a school of 2,700.

Sisters had the bases loaded with no outs in the seventh inning, and Boulder Creek brought in their ace pitcher, who struck out the side. Davenport and Nate Jackson had two hits in the game and recorded two RBIs. Hodges and Hasskamp also got hits in the game. Hasskamp pitched for the Outlaws and, according to Coach Hodges, it was his best pitching performance of the year.

"Jarred's showing signs of getting his arm in shape and in condition for the season," said Hodges.

In between tournament games the Outlaws were able to see a few spring training games. Sisters saw the Cubs and the Padres, the Dodgers and the Kansas City Royals and the Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. Hodges told The Nugget that thanks to Dan and Jeri Fouts the team was also able to meet manager Trey Hillman of the Kansas City Royals and manager Bud Black of the Padres. Trevor Hoffman, the major league save leader, also talked with the team.

"All in all it was a great experience," said Hodges. "The kids did a great job, and we'll see some rewards of the trip in the next couple of weeks."

The Outlaws will host Elmira on Tuesday, April 1 and then travel to Marist two days later.