Lady Outlaws 3-1 in Sky-Em

The Sisters High School varsity softball team split a pair of Sky-Em League games April 14 and 16 in losing to nationally ranked Marist and defeating Pleasant Hill. By splitting, the local squad improved to 9-8 on the season, but more importantly stand 3-1 in league games.

Eight league games remain, with the Outlaws in second place - a game behind unbeaten Marist and Elmira.

Sisters started the week with a 6-0 loss to Marist - ranked as the No. 29 best softball team in the country by USA Today newspaper. The Spartans are the defending 4A state champions, and the win over the Outlaws was their 40th straight win.

"Needless to say, they are the premiere team in Oregon and especially when Nyree (White) is pitching," said Outlaws coach Tom Mauldin. "But I'm very proud of the way our youthful team played. We were aggressive at the plate, fielded well and competed. That's all we ask of our players - give it your all and compete."

White, 14-0 this season and yet to allow a run, limited Sisters to three hits and struck out 13. But the Outlaws had runners on base in all but two innings. Collecting base hits off White were McKenzie Cooper, Hillary Renz and Jenna Sneva.

Outlaws pitcher Zoe Wavrin had a strong game, keeping the Spartans off balance. Mauldin noted that the game plan was to keep the ball inside and out with a lot of drop balls and Wavrin and (catcher) Cassie Hernandez "did a great job of executing the game plan."

The Outlaws rebounded from the April 14 loss with a 7-2 win over Pleasant Hill on April 16. Senior Hillary Renz picked up the win by scattering four hits and striking out five. Neither of the Billies' runs were earned. Renz also added a two-run single. In all, the Outlaws collected 10 hits with Becca Pelham and Sneva leading the way with two hits each.

All but one starter had a base hit. Pelham and Paige Bruguire delivered key run-scoring singles.

"We're getting the bat on the ball more frequently and our reaction times continue to improve," said Mauldin. "That's the goal ... to keep improving as the season grows."

Up next for the Outlaws were games at Cottage Grove on April 20 and home to Elmira on April 22.