Varsity softball earns elusive win at Siuslaw

"We won! Our Sisters Softball won!"

The excited exclamation came from Sisters Varsity Assistant Softball Coach Janet Cusimano immediately after the Outlaws varsity team won their first game of the season May 2 at Siuslaw.

The Sisters High Softball Outlaws have been working extremely hard. It is showing.

"Improving during every practice is our coaching message. At games, regardless of the score, the priority is teamwork, communication, and fun," said Head Coach Gary Barr, who coaches the team with Cusimano and Assistant Coach Abby Barr.

Sisters softball amassed 14 hits in their victory, which came during the second game of last Thursday's doubleheader at Siuslaw.

Cooper Alport, the team's lone senior, and Audrey Cochran, one of five freshmen players, each had three hits in the game. Alport, junior Kathryn Scholl, and freshman Analia Hodge drove in two runs apiece. Cochran also stole two bases.

Ella Davis, a junior, pitched four innings in relief for the Outlaws. The righty gave up six hits and one earned run, striking out five and walking one.

Scholl started the second game. She allowed three hits and three runs over three innings, striking out four and walking two.

The softball team lost the first game of the doubleheader in a heartbreaker, 4-5. Davis led the team with four hits in five at-bats. The Outlaws recorded seven hits to Siuslaw's six.

Davis, Cochran, junior Emerson Symonds, and sophomore Saylor Weston, drove in one run each. At the plate, the Outlaws were patient, collecting nine walks. On the base paths, they ran wild, stealing four bases.

Davis started the first game, allowing six hits and three earned runs over six innings. She struck out four batters and walked two.

"Hitting has been our forte," said Head Coach Barr, noting a team batting average of .333 and a stellar OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .860. Cochran leads the team in batting average, hitting .581, followed by Alport at .528, Scholl's .474, and Davis with .426.

"Special recognition is deserved for Team Captain Ella Davis," he added. "Ella has grown into her role and become a respected leader of the team. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership and helped the team navigate through the adversities that come with a losing record."

Catch Sisters' exciting group of softballers in action at home on Senior Day this Friday, May 10, vs. Harrisburg - game times 3 and 5 p.m. Alport, this year's graduating senior, will receive special recognition.

"Her Senior Night celebration is well-deserved, as she has played all four years of softball at Sisters High," Coach Barr said.

The game promises to be fast-paced, featuring a deserving group of student-athletes at the newly refurbished and painted softball stadium, completed by the players as a community service.