Sisters softball looks to improve

Though they are off to an 0-6 start, Sisters High School softball Coach Ciera Jones has seen a lot of silver linings in her first year as head coach.

"The improvement since the first game against Madras in regards to focus, swinging the bat, and will to win was incredible," said Jones. "As long as they keep up the hard work, they will continue to improve and be successful."

That first game was a 13-0 loss to Madras and included a dozen strikeouts and only one base hit. The loss to the White Buffalos was followed by run-rule defeats to 5A Summit (16-2), 5A Bend (14-0), Willamina (16-0) and 5A Ashland (11-1). Sandwiched in the losses was an 11-5 loss to 5A Marshfield (North Bend).

But in each game, regardless of the final score, Jones has seen improvement in all aspects of play.

"My pitchers, Hailey Hudson and Alexis Ogilvie, made great strides from Madras," said Jones, a former college Division 1 catcher. "I'm excited to see the girls progress this season."

The Outlaws are as young a varsity team as there is in Oregon, with three freshmen, five sophomores and five juniors. There are no seniors in the program.

In addition to Ogilvie and Hudson, team members include Zoey Nelson, Kylie Steiner, Shelby Gillium, Tymbre Townsand, Dallas Stevens, Leah McIntosh, Chawndra Craig, Nadia Rodriquez, Anja Gnos, Sarah Peasley and Jesse Farr-Baenziger.

The Outlaws visit Mountain View (2-3) of Bend for a double-header on April 3. They get a few days off before opening Sky-Em League play on April 7 at Cottage Grove, which is unbeaten and off to its best start in school history.

Sky-Em rival Sweet Home is currently ranked No. 1 in the latest OSAA 4A Softball Poll.