Lady Outlaws have mixed week on the diamond

Call it a tale of two opponents - one rebuilding, the other demolishing everything in sight.

The first opponent was Elmira High School in the Sky-Em League opener for the Sisters Outlaw softball program. The locals played impressively, collecting 15 base hits and committing just a single error in winning 9-0.

The youthful Falcons were no match for senior pitcher Sam Stoneback, who scattered four hits and struck out 12. Stoneback did not walk a batter in picking up her fourth win of the season.

Stoneback had plenty of support as Camille Pedersen, Hillary Renz and Cassie Hernandez contributed three hits apiece, and JJ Ashley singled twice. Four other Outlaws had base hits in the win.

"We did a lot of things right. We played a good fast-pitch softball game, ran well, hit well, fielding well and most importantly took advantage of any mistakes or lack of reaction they made," said coach Tom Mauldin. "Sam was on; there was no mistaking that. Definitely a good way to open league after losing to them, 4-3, last year in the bottom of the seventh with two out."

Elmira fell to 4-3 on the season with the loss and 0-1 in Sky-Em Play.

The second opponent was No. 1-ranked Marist of Eugene. It didn't take long for the Outlaws to understand why the Spartans are topping the polls. Before Marist managed a second out, the score was 8-0, and it was 11-0 by the end of the first inning.

"They stormed us with base hit after base hit," said Mauldin. "And most of the hits were rockets."

The second inning was much of the same as starter Renz was reached for two more home runs and a pair of triples. It was 17-0 after two when Stoneback came in to shut down the Spartans.

Mauldin noted he didn't start his "ace," as she was hit with her own foul tip during Wednesday batting practice.

"With her ankle as swollen as it was, combined with the way Hillary (Renz) pitched against Marist last year, I was comfortable with the decision to rest Sam (Stoneback); however, this is a very different Marist team from a year ago."

Last year the Spartans didn't have Nyree White, a freshman import from New Zealand. She limited the Outlaws to an infield single by freshman McKenzie Cooper. White struck out 11 of the 17 batters she faced. The only SHS player who did not go down on strikes was Jenny Kaiser.

Mauldin said the only 4A or 3A Oregon team he has seen as talented was the 1999 Banks team that won 30 games and a state title.

"We didn't play poorly against Marist," said the coach. "They hit the cover off the ball. It was impressive, but we also learned a lot. Their baserunning and aggressiveness at the plate is a step ahead of everyone else, and they are a good example in showing us that we need to step up."

The Outlaws played Pleasant Hill on April 8 and travel to Burns for a non-league double header on April 12.