Lady Outlaws drop openers, ready for spring break challenges

The Sisters High School varsity softball team lost its first two games of the 2009 season in very different fashion.

The Outlaws lost their season opener last week at Madras, 6-4, with two out in the bottom of the seventh inning when Madras' Alex Holcomb hit a two-run walk-off home run. The blast ended a four-run comeback by the hosting 5A White Buffaloes.

The Sisters squad then dropped another non-league outing to Bend, 9-2 at home on March 20.

"They were different outings," said coach Tom Mauldin. "We did a lot of things right against Madras and were pretty close to wrapping it up. That 4-2 lead looked good, but they are a good hitting team. Against Bend, we simply didn't play as well. However, we've spent most of our practice time in the gym and the girls know we are a work in progress."

The Outlaws are young, suiting up eight sophomores and one freshman against Bend.

Senior center fielder, Jenny Kaiser, was a standout in each game, collecting a pair of singles in each outing and making several impressive field plays. She scored once against Bend and twice against Madras.

Zoey Wavrin had a pair of hits against Madras and one against Bend. McKenzie Cooper singled in each game, and other base hitters included Cassie Hernandez, Becca Pelham and Hillary Renz.

Renz and Wavrin shared pitching duties in each game. Wavrin had eight strikeouts against Madras in five innings.

The Outlaws had six hits in each game, but their hits weren't as timely as their opponents.

"We'll use the preseason to prepare for Sky-Em League competition," said the coach. "We're young, have moved some people around and know we have a lot of work ahead. But with some good weather, a healthy squad and some good team bonding, everything will head in the right direction as expected. This is a good group of student athletes."

In 2008, the Outlaws went 5-7 in preseason and finished second in the Sky-Em League.

Next up for the locals is hosting their own tournament, March 25-26. Visiting teams include Cascade, Cascade Christian (Medford), Astoria, LaSalle (Milwaukie), Taft (Lincoln City), Lakeview and La Pine. Games are scheduled for 10 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. at Sisters High School varsity and junior varsity fields. Alternate site in case of inclement weather will be Bowlby Field in Redmond.

Following their tournament, the Lady Outlaws head to Walt Disney's Wide World of Spring Training in Orlando, Fla. The squad will participate in the week-long event with 47 other high school teams March 29 through April 3.