Outlaws end softball losing streak

With Sara Hartford collecting five hits, Keely Malloy three and Cassidy Ling-Scott hitting a double and a triple, Sisters High School's varsity softball team snapped its 10-game losing streak with a thrilling 24-23 win over visiting Cottage Grove at Volunteer Field last Friday.

The one-run victory improved the Outlaws' season mark to 2-10 and was their first Sky-Em Conference win of the season.

The celebration didn't last long, as Cottage Grove rebounded for an 18-4 run-rule win in the second game of the double-header.

In the opener, the Outlaws scored four in the first, two in third and nine times each in the second and fourth and held off the Lions, who scored 13 in the fourth and added four in the fifth. The Outlaws were leading 24-6 going into the fourth when they committed eight errors and Cottage Grove collected four hits to score 13 times.

But Outlaw offense ruled the day collecting 18 base hits. Anessa Stotts and Jourdan Andrews added run-scoring base hits in the win.

Not much went right in the second game as eight errors enabled Cottage Grove to score 14 times in the third and fourth innings.

Freshman Madi Larabee had two singles and Bethanne Yount hit her second home run of the season.

Outlaw Head Coach Dave Smith said the games were like "night and day" for his youthful squad that features only a pair of seniors (Ling-Scott and Andrews) and six freshmen.

"The first game we were there mentally," said Smith. "The girls were playing determined, although we have to minimize the error and mental mistakes. The errors killed us in the second game."

But Smith said improvement is notice.

"Each game there is improvements across the board, and that is positive," said Smith. "Ling-Scott is going to make a great addition to the team in so many aspects."

SHS, 2-11 overall and 1-4 in the Sky-Em, will visit 10-5 Sweet Home (3-3 in league) on Friday. The next home game will be April 24 versus Sutherlin.