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

SHINY CAR: Tigers senior Richie Carmichael blasted a home run in Game 2. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

After waking up to a snow covered valley, the Tigers twin bill against Nyssa appeared to be in jeopardy.

Assistant coach Todd Nice proposed the idea of playing in Elgin.

“We really wanted to get these games in,” Tigers head coach Mark Lanman said. “There’s some young guys we wanted to get in game situations. We owe the Elgin School District for letting us use its field.” 

GOT NEIL-ED: Enterprise’s Trenton Neil drills a pitch during a sweep against Imbler Saturday. The Observer/PAUL HARDER

But this time, a little carbonation remained. By the time the pressure released the Eagles walked away with a sweep against Imbler, 9-8 and 3-0 Saturday.

In the first two league match-ups, Joseph looked like it had been left out too long — a little flat. The Eagles dropped  opening games against Union and Wallowa. Then rebounded to split both doubleheaders.

BOBCAT BASHER: Brian Savely awaits a pitch Saturday.

One was a senior. The other a freshman. And both led their varsity baseball teams to victory Saturday in a doubleheader split between Union and Elgin High Schools.

The senior? The Huskies’ Travis Ludwig.

The freshman? The Bobcats’ Austin Woodward.

ISLAND CITY — A little adversity drove the La Grande softball team to finish strong.

The Tigers split a doubleheader with Mac-Hi Tuesday.

Missed opportunities led to a 4-2 loss in Game 1.

“It’s frustrating because we knew we had a chance,” LHS head coach Kevin Kohr said.

EUGENE — Bring out the brooms.

EOU softball swept its doubleheader at Northwest Christian Friday, 5-1, 8-4.

Melodee Mildenberger (2-for-4, double) and Iris Woodhead (2-for-3) stood out along with Megan Platz (2-for-3), who hit her school-record 12th home run of the season.

JJ: Jacob Johnston digs into the batter’s box, readying for an oncoming pitch Friday. - Observer photos/BRUCE MASON

Burgundy jerseys. “P” on the left chest. Strikeouts. Errors.  Suspect pitching.

Is this them?

No. These were Mac-Hi Pioneers, just looking like that ’72 Major-League worst team from Cheesesteak Land at Optimist Field Friday versus host La Grande.

VAULTED TIGER: La Grande’s Tyler Nice cleared a personal best 11 feet, 6 inches to take second in the pole vault Friday. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

The Tigers are dominating the Greater Oregon League track and field in the high jump — they own the top four spots.

Jacob Johnson won the event  by clearing six feet.

Brandon Powell (5 feet, 8 inches) and Tanner Greene (5 feet, 6 inches) finished second and third, respectively.

COOL-HANDED COLE: Enterprise freshman Cole Sajonia tamed Buffalo Peak for a day, carding a 1-under-par 71. The Outlaws took second-place with a team score of 308. Fruitland won the tournament with a 302. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

Staring out at the native grass, sand traps and water hazards don’t invoke the same heart pumping fervor as they used to for Heather Bruce.

The Enterprise junior carded a 76 at the Buffalo Peak Invitational Friday — her personal best.

In her last round, Bruce shot 79 for her first round under 80.

VALE — The La Grande tennis team is not a figment of your imagination.

Despite having three home matches rained or snowed out, the Tigers are turning in an impressive season — even if the home fans can’t see it.

Shuffling the lineup due to a FBLA trip, the girls team swept Vale 5-0 Thursday.

Twenty-six victories. Cascade Conference Champions. NAIA National Tournament attendee.

All of this was accomplished by EOU men’s basketball coach Ryan Looney in 2007-08, thanks to bringing quality student-athletes into the program, turning it into a near-instant success in four short seasons.

And now, Looney has received commitments from three standout recruits, hoping to build this program even further, perhaps taking it to another level.