Lady Outlaws split in Sky-Em action

Some might call Sisters High School's varsity softball team's 19-12 win over Cottage Grove "winning ugly." Some might call the Lady Outlaws' 11-7 loss to Elmira as "losing ugly."

As a result, the local nine finished the first round of Sky-Em League softball in third place with a 4-2 record. The second round of league play resumes on April 28, when the Outlaws host La Pine at SHS. They'll follow that with an April 30 trek to Junction City.

"Well, there were aspects of each of those not-so-pretty games we'd like to forget. But, searching for silver linings we found plenty," said Outlaw coach Tom Mauldin. "In each game we trailed by several runs, but continued to battle back. And it seemed like each time we made an unfortunate play, we turned around and had a player look splendid."

It took Sisters 10 innings to beat winless Cottage Grove, but the Outlaws scored seven in the 10th inning. But it was far from being as convincing as the final score. Trailing 10-5 after two innings, the Outlaws battled back, finally tying the game with two out in the top of the seventh. The 12-12 deadlock took three innings to decide.

Led by senior Hillary Renz and sophomore Paige

Bruguire, the Outlaws collected a season-high 17 base hits. Renz singled and doubled twice and Bruguire doubled, tripled and singled. Bruguire tripled to start the 7th and inspire her teammates.

"Paige would have started (in the outfield) but wasn't feeling well, so we started Becca (Pelham), but Becca was injured and Paige stepped up," said Coach Mauldin.

In addition to their three-hit games, McKenzie Cooper had three hits and teammates Jenny Kaiser, Marisa Calavan and Jenna Sneva added two singles. Maryjane Schulte delivered a key two-run single in the 10th-inning outburst. The bats were less explosive against Elmira (5-1 in Sky-Em play) as the Outlaws struck out 17 times. They managed 10 hits with four coming from Cooper, the only Outlaw player not to strikeout in the game. Renz delivered two more hits and Cassie Hernandez added a pair.

"We were down 9-1, but kept battling. That was a positive," said Mauldin.

The dozen errors and the nine unearned runs coupled with 17 strikeouts, however, were not so positive. The Outlaws have played their last three games without sophomore pitcher Zoe Wavrin, who is recovering from a

concussion.

"We do, indeed, need more consistency and the girls are well aware of that," said the coach. "Consistency will be the key to how we fare during the second half of Sky-Em play. And we could use a little more aggressiveness at the plate. Once we get healthy and get everyone playing their normal positions, we'll be fine."

Meanwhile, the junior varsity Outlaws defeated Cottage Grove and Elmira behind the pitching of Katie Dumolt and the hitting of Aubrey Pepperling, Sydney Stoneback and Samantha Williamson.