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Cougars claw past Cubs
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Now he’s laughing for a different reason. The Cougars beat Enterprise/Joseph 8-6 to clinch the second seed in the state tournament from Special District 6. “These girls put in a lot of hard work,” the head coach said. “Without their attitudes this wouldn’t have happened. We have 15 girls who would do anything for each other. That’s how you build a team.” It’s been a steady climb. The first season ended with a 1-19 record. Season two saw Wallowa finish 4-17. This year a 4-10 record may not look that impressive, but a young team took time to gel. The Cougars received a jump start from a new battery this season. Freshman Kuulei Delatori took center stage in the pitching circle, and classmate McKenzie Shelton filled in at catcher. Delatori kept the Cubs at bay with location. Time and time again, the Cougars right-hander fielded her position for a harmless 1-to-3 putout. Ashley Granning took advantage of one pitch Delatori left up. Granning drove in two runs in the fourth, evening the score at three apiece. Shelton delivered a staggering punch in the fifth, a two-run triple. “We’ve been hitting the ball well lately,” Burns said. “It’s gotten to the point where the girls believe they can do it.” Wallowa showed off that new sense of confidence in the final inning. A team once destined to lose made its own breaks, leading 8-6 in the final inning. Up stepped Granning, whom the Cougars issued a free pass to in the Cubs three-run sixth. Delatori went right after her with a pair of fastballs. With another pitch down below her knees, Granning swung and missed to end the game. Wallowa finally, after three long years, held a trophy. “I’m so proud of these girls,” Burns said. “They never stopped believing in each other. This is a tough league, and even being second is a huge accomplishment.” Ayesha Wortman finished with two hits and two RBIs. Theresa Stangel collected a pair of doubles for Enterprise/Joseph.
Ent/Joe 000 303 0 — 6 7 3 W — Delatori. L — Stangel. 2B— Wallowa, Wortman; E/J, Stangel 2. 3B— Wallowa, Shelton. HR— E/J, Granning.
Bobcats end district slumpIt’s been two years in the making, and the Lady Cats finally ripped the monkey from their backs. Union defeated Wallowa 8-2 in the district championship game. Last season, the Lady Cats fell to Elgin/Imbler, now in Class 3A.
 The Observer/PAUL HARDER “It’s nice to get this finally,” Lady Cats head coach Steve Robertson said. “It was a great day. The girls came out focused to get this title.” Shanna Riomondo jump started the Union offense in the first. Following a double by Jessy Reynolds, Riomondo inched a home run over the fence. The ball hit the top and went over. The Lady Cats broke open the game on an attempted suicide squeeze. A throwing error allowed two runs to score on the play. Reynolds took care of the rest on the mound. She struck out nine, while allowing two runs on three hits. “The defense played very well behind (Jessy),” Robertson said. Now we just need to keep this momentum going.” State playoff games will begin Friday.
Union 200 312 x — 8 9 0 W — Reynolds. L — Delatori. 2B— Union, Reynolds 2, Williams. HR— Union, Riomondo. |
