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Huskies undergo baptism by snow
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The Class 2A defending state champion Huskies embarked on the journey through Class 3A by sinking the Vikings in an ominous doubleheader 5-4 and 11-1 Friday. “Anytime you can start out the league schedule 2-0 it’s a good thing,” Elgin/Imbler head coach Dick Griffin said. “We’re going to see a higher level of competition here, so this is a great way to begin.” Thunder clapped as the first pitch of Game 1 was slung by sophomore Tara Ludwig. Then came hail, snow and rain in various orders throughout the day. Like the weather, Elgin/Imbler had a mixed bag in the opener. Ludwig not accustomed be on the receiving end of a well hit ball, allowed a two-run home run in the first inning — with the help of a 30-mph gust of wind. Shaky defense opened the door for Umatilla to reclaim the lead in the third inning. The Vikings looked to strike again in the top half of the fifth, but freshman Carley Knapp started flashing her leather. Miller snagged a line drive with runners on the corners and one out. Despite a brief moment of indecision, Miller tossed the ball to Brandi Campbell at first base for a double play. Elgin/Imbler knocked down the door in the fifth, grabbing its first lead of the game 5-4. Senior Katie Griffin opened the inning with a triple, and scored a batter later on a sacrifice by Ashley Burgess. Ludwig aided her own cause with a single. She scored on a fielder’s choice. “We knew all we had to do is keep it close,” Griffin said. “(Tara) isn’t in regular season form yet. But she did a good job out there. Our defense was shaky at times but really came through when we needed it.” Miller showcased her defense in the closing inning, taking a single away from the Vikings lead-off hitter. Still, Umatilla had a chance with two outs and a runner at third. The game ended with a harmless grounder to third that Griffin whipped across the diamond for the final out. Ludwig finished with 13 strikeouts and one walk. She allowed four runs on six hits. Griffin finished with two hits and two runs scored. Campbell collected two singles. Katie Griffin moved from third to the pitching circle in Game 2. Armed with a nasty curve, Griffin kept the Umatilla batters at bay. Elgin/Imbler had no trouble finding its offense. The white-coated field turned into a pinball machine in the second inning. Eight runs on nine hits broke open the game for the Huskies. Knapp opened the inning with a single, and later scored on a single by Megan Myers. Campbell greeted a new Vikings’ pitcher with an RBI double. Knapp capped the inning with a single.
 HUSTLING HUSKIES: Megan Myers and the Elgin/Imbler softball team opened its Class 3A schedule with a pair of wins against Umatilla Friday. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER Knapp and Tara Witherspoon picked up two hits in the game. Elgin will host Grant Union today at noon. Game 1 Umatilla 202 000 0 — 5 6 1 Elgin/Imbler 201 020 0 — 6 9 2 W: Ludwig. L: Padilla. 3B— E/I: Griffin. HR— U: Padilla.
Umatilla 000 00 — 0 4 3 Elgin/Imbler 000 00 — 11 11 2 W: Griffin. L: Padilla. 2B— E/I: Campbell.
Riomondo powers Union past CubsENTERPRISE — Inexperience turned into miscues. Miscues turned into a 7-2 loss for the Cubs against visiting Union Friday. The Enterprise/Joseph softball team dropped its first full game of the season against Union 7-2. “It’s tough when you’ve played just three innings” Cubs head coach Travis Huffman said. “But the girls played well. I’m not disappointed about anything.” The Bobcats’ Shanna Riomondo demolished a 2-1 deficit with a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Sophomore Jessy Reynolds took over from there. Reynolds recorded 13 strikeouts in the game, and walked just two. Mariah Warnock paced the Cubs with three hits. Theresa Stangel opened the game with a three-run home run in the first. The Cubs battled back from a 8-3 hole to pull within one run, 10-9. Umpires called Game 2 in the fourth inning due to weather. When the final innings of the game will be made up is still to be determined.
Game 1 Union 000 124 0 — 7 8 1 Ent/Joe 020 000 0 — 2 4 2 W: Reynolds. L: Stangel. 2B- EJ: Stangel. HR- U: Riomondo.
Umatilla 071 2 — 10 7 3 Elgin/Imbler 303 3 — 9 8 2 2B- E/J: Neil, Warnock. HR- E/J: Stangel. |
