Outlaws handle Huskies in baseball double-header

The Outlaws were firing on all cylinders at home on Friday, April 21, and posted wins in both games of the double-header against Sweet Home.

Sisters set the pace with a 15-1 victory in the first game. The Outlaws got 15 runs off 17 hits and one error. The Huskies had one lone run, four hits, and three errors.

Zach Morgan did a tremendous job on the mound for the Outlaws and earned the win. Morgan was dominant with his fastball and recorded 12 strikeouts.

He helped his own cause at the plate, starting Sisters' scoring spree in the first inning with a solo home run that sailed straight away over the center-field fence. Morgan finished the game four-for-five, which included his home run and a double. Coach Steve Hodges told The Nugget that he was definitely the MVP of the game.

Christopher Luz also had a great game. Luz went three-for-five, and had a three-run blast in the seventh.

"Christopher has really come along the last couple weeks, and has made a huge difference in our offense," said Hodges.

Ryan Cook went two-for-four with a double, Jett Mingus and Jake Larson both were two-for-four with an RBI each, and JW Bertagna was two-for-three with an RBI.

Hodges noted that Larson has been able to pick up some key hits with runners in scoring position in the last couple of games, which has also been a boost to the Outlaws' offense.

Sisters won the second game in six innings, 11-1, due to the 10-run rule. The Outlaws scored 11 runs on 11 hits and zero errors.

Cook pitched the first two innings and Mingus finished up the last four and earned the win. Jett challenged hitters and didn't walk players. He got the Huskies to hit a lot of fly balls, and infield ground balls, and let his defense back him up.

Mingus was calm and collected, and pitched himself out of a jam in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Jett struck out a batter, and then a ground out to shortstop ended the inning.

"That was a huge inning for us and gave us momentum for the rest of the game," said Hodges. "Jett performed under pressure and showed good poise. He pitched with confidence after that."

Several players contributed on offense. Morgan had a two-run shot over the right-field wall in the fourth inning, Alec Gannon was two-for-three with a double and one RBI, and Ryan Cook had two doubles and an RBI.

Ryan Funk, with the bases loaded, hit a 350-foot single that landed at the base of the fence. Hodges told The Nugget that players couldn't run because they weren't sure if the ball would be caught or not.

"I'm sure it was the longest single of Ryan's career," said Hodges.

Jake Larson went two-for-four with an RBI, Austin Morss was one-for-three, Mingus was one-for-three with a double and two RBI, and Alec Gannon was two-for-three with an RBI.

Hodges noted he's very pleased with the team's improved offense.

"After four days of practice, we had a great offensive showing," said Hodges. "We got a total of 26 runs in two games. I'm certainly very pleased with our offensive progress the last week and a half. Today the kids executed our game plan to perfection. They focused and prepared, and it paid off today."

The Outlaws are now 7-1 in league and 15-1 overall. Sisters was to play at home against Sutherlin on Tuesday, April 25. The team will host a double-header against Elmira on Friday, April 28.