Outlaws beat Madras on diamond

The Outlaws earned an 11-5 win over Madras at home on Friday, April 3. A day earlier, Sisters lost 3-2 at home in a tight game against Burns.

In Friday's action, the Outlaws scored 11 runs on 10 hits, and had one error in the game. The White Buffs scored five runs on six hits and had four errors.

Alex Olivier pitched the first five innings for the Outlaws. Olivier attacked the hitters and made them hit the ball. The infield defense did a great job of backing him up to get the outs. Ryan Funk came in and closed out the last two innings.

Sisters had two back-to-back doubles to highlight the second inning. Justin Harrer started with a double down the left-field line, which scored two runners, and Funk followed with a double to score Harrer.

Defensively, Alec Gannon made a fully extended diving catch for an out in the second inning.

Coach Steve Hodges noted that Funk had a very strong defensive game.

"Ryan worked very hard, and had a great defensive performance," said Hodges. "He had one particular great play from the mound. Ryan went to his knees, grabbed the ball with his bare hands, and threw the guy out. It was a very athletic play. Ryan also did a great job when he was behind the plate. He blocked the ball all day. He blocked it in the dirt, and kept the ball in front so runners couldn't advance. His defensive effort was really good, and made a big difference in the game today."

Hodges also said that Harrer had several outstanding plays from shortstop.

Harrer went two-for-four from the plate with three RBI, Funk had two doubles and two RBI, and Ben Larson went two-for-three.

"We've been playing really good defense, and are averaging just one error per game in the last five games," said Hodges. "Our defense has been very solid, and that's what is getting us wins."

In Thursday's game against Burns, Sisters got two runs off two hits, and they had no errors in the game. Burns got three runs off five hits and committed three errors.

The Outlaws had a big hit from Alec Gannon, who had a double down the right-field line in the second inning.

Next week the Outlaws start league play. Sisters was to play Sutherlin on Monday, April 6. The Outlaws will play at Cottage Grove on Wednesday, April 8, and wrap up their week at Sweet Home on Friday, April 10.