Outlaws hold on to perfect league record

The Outlaws posted two more wins this past week to push their league record to 10-0. Sisters recorded an 11-5 win at Sweet Home on Tuesday, April 23, and three days later logged a 10-0 shutout at Elmira that was stopped after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Joey Morgan went the distance for the Outlaws in Friday's matchup against the Falcons and recorded six strikeouts. The Outlaws put up 12 hits in five innings and had zero errors.

Sisters jumped out early with a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Nicky Blumm and Justin Harrer led off with singles, and Jarden Weems pushed them to second and third on a fielder's choice. Joey Morgan's single to right center scored two and put the Outlaws on the scoreboard. Eli Boettner and Ben Larson both had RBI singles in the inning, and Blumm hit a bunt single with the bases loaded to score Sisters' fifth run.

The Outlaws added five more runs in the fourth inning. Calarco's big hit to right field cleared the bases and brought in three runs. Sisters held the Falcons scoreless and recorded the win.

"This was our best game of the year," said Coach Steve Hodges. "We faced their best pitcher (Travis Boggs) who'd just thrown a no-hitter against Junction City. We came out and hit him hard early.

"The past four years he's (Boggs) been the best pitcher we've faced in league and we were able to really hit him and knock him out in the fourth. We had good leadership in practice this last week and the kids were motivated. That preparation carried into the game and we were mentally prepared and ready to play. Today we put it all together."

Hodges was pleased with Morgan's performance on the mound.

"Joey kept the ball down low in the strike zone," noted Hodges. "He had good command of where he wanted to throw the ball and pitched with a lot of confidence."

Hodges also praised Harrer and Blumm for their great defensive plays in the infield and mentioned that the outfield joined in and made great plays which resulted in a win that was a total team effort.

"When you play errorless baseball and get good pitching and hit the ball hard, you are going to win," stated Hodges.

In Tuesday's action, the Outlaws racked up 11 runs in their win over the Huskies, despite the fact they left 12 runners on base.

Harrer was the winning pitcher. Blumm and Weems came in to pitch the last two and two-thirds innings.

Calarco and Weems both had timely hits in the sixth inning which helped give the Outlaws some insurance as they headed into the final inning.

Calarco and Weems finished the game with two hits and two RBI each. Harrer had two RBI off two hits, including a double. Alex Olivier recorded a stand-up triple.

Hodges said, "It was nice to see Sammy (Calarco) hit in pressure situations and deliver."

Sisters is 17-2 overall and still holds the No. 1 spot in league with their 10-0 record.

The Outlaws travel to Junction City on Wednesday, May 1, and two days later will face the Tigers at home in Sisters.