Outlaws will host state softball playoff game

Winning their fifth-straight Sky-Em League game enabled the Sisters High School varsity girls softball team to capture second place in the Sky-Em League and earn the right to host a first-round game of the Oregon 4A Playoffs.

Recording a key 7-1 win over Junction City on May 6, then routing Cottage Grove 16-1 on May 8, the Outlaws finished the Sky-Em League season with a 9-3 record and will host Yamhill-Carlton from the Cowapa League.

This will mark the first time in school history the Outlaws will play in the state postseason. Last year, they finished in a three-way tie in the Sky-Em League, but lost in the final round of the league playoffs.

"Reaching the league playoffs was an accomplishment last year," said coach Tom Mauldin. "We made terrific strides last year, but this year we have truly closed the gap between ourselves and quality softball teams. This is a tremendous accomplishment for this year's team. We coaches are very proud of their efforts."

The decisive win last week was against Junction City, a perennial playoff team. Both the Outlaws and Junction City entered the contest at 7-3. The Outlaws got another strong pitching effort from senior Sam Stoneback, who scattered six hits, struck out four and walked none. She allowed a solo homerun in the sixth, but by then the Outlaws were on top 7-0.

The locals scored once in the first, twice in the second and added four in the fourth on key hits from Stoneback, Jenny Kaiser, Ashley Huber and Jenna Sneva. Stoneback also doubled in the Outlaws' first run of the game.

"That was a big game for us and the girls responded with possibly their best game of the season," said Mauldin, who is assisted by Mark Bremer and Dawn Cooper. "They looked good in all aspects of the game - our short game once again created problems for our opponent. We hit with runners in scoring position and defensively we made all the plays."

The Outlaws followed the JC win with a 16-1 rout of Cottage Grove, scoring once each in the first three innings, then blowing the game open with an 11-run fourth.

The game against Cottage Grove also marked Senior Day with the Outlaw players and parents honoring six seniors - JJ Ashley, Ashley and Cassie Huber, Brenna Mooney, Pedersen and Stoneback.

"All have played key roles this season and will be missed," said Mauldin. "But we're not missing them yet ... we're in the playoffs."

The Outlaws are 14-9 overall. Yamhill-Carlton is 16-9 overall and 11-4 in the Cowapa League. The winner of Friday's playoff game will play May 20.

Friday's playoff game will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the varsity high school softball field.