Lady Outlaws fall to Yamhill-Carlton in softball playoff game

It wasn't the way they wanted the season to end, but just being there was an accomplishment. The Sisters High School girls varsity softball team lost 15-5 to Yamhill-Carlton last Friday in the first round of the State 4A softball playoffs.

It was the Outlaws softball team's first-ever appearance in the state playoffs.

"Their speed was a bit much for us to counter," said Coach Tom Mauldin. "They've been to the playoffs a dozen times and were comfortable. We were not comfortable the first few innings, but finished strong ... the girls never let down."

With Y-C's Shaila Rivers leading off the game with a homerun, the Outlaws trailed from start to finish. Y-C added three other runs in the first, enroute to the 10-run victory. The Lady Tigers scored at least two runs in every inning.

"She (Rivers) is a special player," said Mauldin. "We've seen some very good catchers this season - (Emily) Sconce from Elmira and (Kayla) Reay from Marist and ours (Camille Pedersen), but Rivers might be the best we've seen. I think our players certainly thought so."

After setting the tone in the first with her homer, Rivers also had a drag bunt single, a slap single and a line drive single. She scored three runs and drove in three. Following Rivers in the Tiger batting order was Danny Dunham, who also drove in three runs and had three hits, including a slap and a bunt.

"We knew they were a good bunting team, but they hit better than we were expecting," said Mauldin, noting that nine of their 15 base hits were of the line drive variety. "But again, the big thing was we got here (to the playoffs) and we didn't quit."

Despite trailing 4-0, the Outlaws scored after Jenna Sneva singled, went to second on an error and scored on a Sam Stoneback single.

The Outlaws also scored in the third when Sneva singled, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jenny Kaiser and scored on a Pedersen single.

And in the fifth, the Outlaws scored three times when Marisa Calavan walked, JJ Ashley reached on an error, Sneva singled, Pedersen reached on an error, Stoneback walked and Renz singled. The game ended when McKenzie Cooper grounded out with the bases loaded.

Tiger pitcher Tori Cully kept the Outlaws off balance with her rise ball, registering nine strikeouts.

"We struggled a bit with that pitch ... no one hits a good rise ball at any level and she had a good one. We just couldn't lay off, especially in the early innings," said Mauldin. "But we kept swinging and remaining aggressive. That's all we ever ask."

Sneva finished with three hits and three runs scored.

Stoneback, going for her 11th pitching win of the season, didn't have her best stuff, giving up 15 hits, striking out two and walking a season-high four.

"The heat got to Sam. Yeah, they (Tigers) hit her hard, but she didn't have her usual zip, but she is a gamer. She battled," said Mauldin. "We coaches were talking, and think the 90-plus game- time temperature was only our second game above 50 degrees this season. That's no excuse, just an observation. Yamhill was noticeably better and let us know where our future goals need to be.

"But the season-ending loss isn't going to diminish what this team accomplished this season," said Mauldin. "After all, when all is said and done, only one team that qualifies for the state playoffs will end with a victory ... the eventual state champion. I'm proud to say we made the state playoffs. That was our goal."