Outlaws see some ups and downs

The Outlaws started their week with a devastating 10-9 loss at Sweet Home on Tuesday, April 26, but bounced back three days later to win 4-3 in a tight game at home against Elmira. On Saturday, they were shut out 10-0 at Burns in a non-league match-up.

In Tuesday's action against the Huskies at Sweet Home, the Outlaws held a 9-4 lead after five and a half innings, but let the lead slip away. In the bottom of the sixth, the Huskies scored six runs and pulled to a 10-9 lead, and held on for the win.

"They put together four hard hits, and we couldn't make the plays on defense," said Coach SteveHodges.

The Outlaws had an outstanding batting performance with 14 hits in the game, but they committed four errors. Sweet Home scored 10 runs on nine hits and had zero errors.

JW Bertagna went three-for-three with a double, and Will Werts also went three-for-three. Ryan Cook went three-for-four and Connor Lake went two-for-four with a double.

On Friday against Elmira, the Outlaws scored four runs off six hits, and had one error. The Falcons scored three runs off seven hits and committed three errors.

Ryan Cook did an excellent job on the mound for the Outlaws, and held the Falcons scoreless until the final inning. With two outs, Zach Morgan stepped in and threw the final out to end the game. Cook recorded the win, and Morgan earned the save.

In the fifth, the Outlaws scored three runs. Christopher Luz led off with a bunt single. The Falcons over-threw the throw to first, and Luz got to second base. Alec Gannon drove in Luz on a line-drive single to left field.

Gannon was able to steal second, and Jake Larson knocked him in with a line-drive base hit. Ryan Cook had a hard-hit ground ball up the middle that brought in Larson.

In the bottom of the sixth, Sisters tacked on their final run. Morgan got on base due to an error at second base, and then advanced to second on a fielders choice. The Falcons overthrew the ball on a double-play attempt and Morgan scored.

Connor Lake did an outstanding job for the Outlaws at first base. Lake made a game-saving play to end the game, and made four others by picking up balls in the dirt to get the outs.

Hodges noted Sisters' infield players, Gannon, Luz, and Morgan, for their defensive play.

"These guys played very good," said Hodges. "They made the majority of the outs.

"Elmira is ranked No. 5 in the state, so we knew it would be a close game," said Hodges. "We're still fighting for a playoff spot, and today was huge for that. We need to build on this win and take it one game at a time."

At Burns on Saturday, the Outlaws were crushed by the Hilanders, able to get only four hits in five innings. Sisters threw three different pitchers and all of them struggled.

The Outlaws will play at home against Junction City on Wednesday, May 4, and then travel to Junction City two days later.