Outlaws host vengeful visitors from La Pine

Outlaws Varsity Baseball rode a four-game win streak into a week of renewed rivalry with La Pine.

"They're coming for revenge, so we've got to be ready," said Sisters Head Coach Matt Hilgers.

Hilgers' team won all three games last week against Creswell. Sophomore Sebastian Storch pitched a complete game on April 9 - nine strikeouts; two walks - to tame the Bulldogs 6-2 on the road before hosting two games on April 11.

The first game of that Thursday doubleheader saw senior Brody Fischer strike out four batters and walk three, allowing three hits and zero runs over six innings: Outlaws 5, Bulldogs 0.

Trent Gordon, another sophomore slinger, earned the third win. A trio of juniors secured that game's winning run in the fifth: Hudson Beckwith reached first base on a walk, Diego Silva's sacrifice sent him to second, and Landen Scott's double drove him home. Final score: 3-2.

"We held them. Over the course of the three games, they scored four runs. Our strong point this series was our pitching," Hilgers said after the games. "We've got to figure out a few things at the plate. Defensively, we had a few errors, but that's going to happen. Overall, pitching was really solid."

On deck this week: a doubleheader with La Pine set for Friday at Sisters High School.

"Last year, they beat us by one or two runs, and then we went down there and beat them by two, then beat them by one. They were all tight games. They're fun games," Hilgers said.

Sisters Varsity Outlaws host the Hawks at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on April 19.

Outlaws Softball will host La Pine at the same time, a few dozen feet away.

Marc and Jessica Madron spent last Thursday afternoon positioned between both ballfields.

"Straighten that out, Hol," Marc called out to his daughter, Holly Madron, a junior. "Swing hard!"

Ping!

"There you go! Run it out, Holly!" Jessica cheered before turning to face the baseball field, where senior Tristen Madron and his teammates were holding their slim lead over Creswell.

"We also have a freshman playing on the JV baseball team," Jessica laughed, referring to her younger son, London Madron.

Small-town ball is truly a family affair.

Of the three Sisters teams, varsity baseball (3A-4 Mountain Valley Conference) is faring best.

"It's looking like League will come down to Pleasant Hill, La Pine, and us. Pleasant Hill is kind of the frontrunner right now because they took two out of three from us," explained Hilgers. "Historically, Sisters and La Pine have had a pretty good rivalry. It's been that way with other sports, like football and basketball, and last year with baseball. It's nice to have it back."

Matt Van Slyke covers youth academic and athletic programs in Sisters. Got a story idea? Get in touch: mattvanslyke@gmail.com.