Baseball clinches Sky-Em title

The Outlaws baseball team clinched the league title for the first time in 11 years with an overwhelming 18-3 win over the Tigers at Junction City on Friday, May 6.

Sisters racked up nine runs in the first inning to knock the wind out of Junction City from the start. Hits by Erik Carlson, Joey Morgan, and Aaron Selig helped push the Outlaws to the 9-0 advantage.

Freshman Jarden Weems hit a home run for the first time in his high school career in the fourth and drove in three runs to highlight the inning.

"Jarden has improved so much since the first time I saw him this past summer," said Coach Steve Hodges. "His own effort and his coachability have helped him make big improvements in a short period of time. He has good, consistent contact at the plate, and he just keeps getting better and better. He's made a big contribution to our team."

Jordan Hodges was the winning pitcher for the Outlaws and struck out six batters in the first four innings of play. Hodges is unbeaten in league and has an ERA of 1.0.

Jon Lahey came in to finish in the fifth.

"Jon has played a very important role for us as a closer," said Hodges. "He has good control and velocity and can throw strikes. He's been invaluable to us to be able to come in and finish."

Several players contributed on offense in the big win. Justin Erlandson had two doubles, and Marcus Arends had a single. Joey Morgan was 2/3 and Weems was 2/3 with a homerun. Erik Carlson had two singles and two RBI in the game.

"It was rainy all day and it was a hard day to pitch," said Hodges. "The ball was slippery and wet. We were just glad to get the win and get out."

Earlier in the week, on Monday, May 2, the Outlaws made up their game with Cottage Grove, which was cancelled last week due to snow. Sisters defeated the Lions 13-6.

Jordan Hodges and Erik Carlson's doubles highlighted the first inning of play. Hodges doubled down the left-field line to put runners at second and third, and Erik Carlson hit a hard line drive to left to score two runners.

Three consecutive singles by Shane Groth, Aaron Selig, and Joey Morgan sparked the Outlaws in the second inning and helped push them to a 9-0 advantage.

Cottage Grove scored all six of their runs in the fifth. The Lions brought in two runs and then with the bases loaded and two outs hit a grand slam home run.

Sisters scored 13 runs on 11 hits and two errors and Cottage Grove brought in six runs off three hits and six errors.

Hodges was the winning pitcher for the Outlaws. Jordan threw the first four innings for Sisters and only allowed one hit. Hodges went 3/5 from the plate with a double.

A day later, the Outlaws' perfect 10-0 league record came to an end. The Outlaws lost 3-2 at home to league rival, Elmira.

Sisters got their two hits in the first inning and then were held scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Elmira scored their three runs in the second inning.

The Outlaws will wrap up league play next week with games against Sweet Home, La Pine, and Cottage Grove.

"We want to finish strong," stated Hodges. "Every game means something with the RPI power ratings. We want to secure a first-round home game."