>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

TESTED THOMPSON: Nick Thompson picked up the 11-10 win against Wallowa. He struck out 11 and walked six. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

From out of no where Tyler VanLeuven, Gary Cornford and Klint Shaeffer appeared — the bottom of the Imbler batting order.

“They haven’t (done) do too much earlier this season,” senior Nick Thompson said. “It’s good to see them coming around. That takes some pressure off the top of the order. It was fun to watch them succeed out there.”

HERMISTON — La Grande traveled to Hermiston Wednesday, only to lose two contests to different opponents.

Hermiston got the better of the Tigers, 7-2 in the opening game, then Walla Walla did, too, 10-0 in five innings.

Tigers coach Kevin Kohr rested some injured players, and gave starter Boo Christman the day off from throwing off the mound, considering two big games lie ahead at Mac-Hi at 1 p.m. Saturday. But despite the losses, pitchers Shayle Powers and Shelby Hasse pitched well.

JOSEPH— Call it The Theresa Stangel Show.

She propelled Enterprise/Joseph to a 23-4, five-inning victory Wednesday versus visiting Adrian, and her big bat started quickly.

In the first inning, with the bases loaded, Stangel belted a grand slam — her eighth home run of the season — part of a day that finished 3-for-4 with 7 RBIs.

JOSEPH — By the skin of our teeth.

That’s how Joseph coach Tony Gross summed up his Eagles’ 9-8 victory versus Pine Eagle Wednesday. It was that close, by the skin of their teeth.

“They just about let it slip through their fingers,” Gross said. “But they held on and finished ‘er off.”

Six pitchers were used, every kid had an at-bat, and La Grande scored in the seventh to beat visiting Hermiston, 11-10 Tuesday at Optimist Field.

And now, these Tigers will play at Mac-Hi at 1 p.m. Saturday, hoping to claim their second consecutive Greater Oregon League crown.

Back to this victory.

PENDLETON  — It all started with an attitude change, and snowballed into a district title.

“I’m so happy for the girls,” La Grande head coach Kelli Miller said. “They’re ecstatic right now. We did a lot of the things we wanted to do, and held together under the pressure.”

Darcy Ladendorff met a personal goal — shooting below 100. She finished with a 98, and a two-day total of 198. The sophomore took second-place.

MOVIN’ ON: Wallowa's Tyler Harshfield shot a two-day total of 167 to secure a trip to the state tournament at the Emerald Valley Golf Club Monday. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

In the end, the Outlaw junior rode in a grabbed his second consecutive 3A/2A/1A District 4 golf title.

Trailing teammate Cole Sajonia at the start of the day, Hull shot an even par 36 on the front nine.

“(Cole) has been chasing me down these last couple of weeks,” Hull said. “It was time for me to take control of things.”

LED BY LADENDORF: The Tigers girls golf team holds a one shot lead over Heppner at the Girls 4A/3A/2A/1A District 7 Golf Tournament at Wildhorse. La Grande finished with a team score of 415. Darcy Ladendorf led the team with a round of 100. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

The drive for 10-straight district titles began Monday for the Enterprise boys golf team at the Wildhorse golf course.

After three rounds in the 70s — Cole Sajonia (74), Dakota Hull (76), Marcus Anderson (77) — the Outlaws will carry a cushion in to the final round.

“We’re playing really well right now,” Enterprise head coach Mike Crawford said. “The boys are pushing each other, and I don't think we’ve peaked yet.”

BRINGING THE HEAT: Imbler right-hander Nick Thompson works in relief Saturday. Thompson picked up the win in Game 2. He also collected two home runs on the day. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

The future of baseball in Wallowa is bright, that showed in Game 1. But there’s still a learning curve, as Game 2 uncovered.

“We still have a lot of room to grow,” Cougars head coach Warren Wilson said. “We’re going to have those great games, but we still are going to give some away with errors.”

QUICK CAR: La Grande senior Richie Carmichael belted a double in Game 1 Saturday versus Baker. Carmichael started on the mound, pitching 6 2/3 innings, yielding six hits and four runs while striking out nine batters. Observer photos/BRUCE MASON

Undefeated in league.

La Grande senior starting pitcher Richie Carmichael was one inning, three outs, and, perhaps, one ground ball away from maintaining this goal Saturday versus Baker at Optimist Field in Game 1.