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Like ancient history, Bobcats win
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Although heavily outnumbered, these King Leonidas-led soldiers never surrendered. They fought to the bitter end. Made a legendary, heroic last stand. And, even thwarted off rhinos and elephants in the face of adversity. Rhinos? Elephants? Yes. They roamed the vast Persian empire, trying to endanger Spartans — to no avail. But imagine if those soldiers came across Bobcats? Would they have been eaten alive? They were at Union High Friday, as this ferocious animal mascot clawed and chewed visiting Pine Eagle Spartans, sweeping them 20-3, 11-0, in five-inning contests. Walks. Passed balls. Wild pitches. Stolen bases. All of it allowed Union to bat around twice in each game, en route to sweeping Pine Eagle. And it all left a lasting memory for departing seniors Jennifer Moore, Carrie Stratton and Shelbi Williams. “That’s a really classy and fun group of girls,” said Union coach Steve Robertson, who, along with spectators, witnessed the pre-game ceremony as parents, roses and balloons accompanied these Bobcats. “It’s just a way of honoring some kids who have been really important to the program.” It’s a program improving to 19-1 (15-1 Special District 6), thanks to positive leadership exuded by those seniors. They fittingly stood out in this Bobcat Bashing, too, as Williams recorded two RBIs in the opener, while Stratton (2-for-3) and Moore each recorded an RBI in the sequel. Along with these leaders, it was Jessica Poe (double, 3 RBIS), Brittany Josephson (3 RBIs) and Jessica Reynolds (double, 2 RBIs), leading the charge in the opening victory. Meanwhile, Bobcats pitchers limited Spartans’ hitters to zero combined hits, as base runners reached only by walks, fielder’s choice or errors. No hits? Maybe spears and swords — Spartan combat weapons in B.C. times — should have been used, because those Pine Eagle metal bats were virtually useless. Whiff. There’s Reynolds, fanning a batter. Whiff. There’s Shanna Riomondo, fanning another. Seven strikeouts for Reynolds. Four for Riomondo. Sixteen Spartans walking back to the dugout as victims of Bobcat underhand tosses. Spears and swords? Nah. They wouldn’t have helped, either — this was a Bobcat Bashing. So next is OSAA districts, starting at 3 p.m. Friday since host Union receives a first-round bye. If the Bobcats “play consistent and focused,” Robertson said, they will be OK versus either Enterprise, Pine Eagle, Wallowa or Adrian. In the meantime, though, his seniors can reflect on that special pre-game ceremony. “It was nice,” Robertson said. “Go out on a good day, having fun, but still playing pretty good softball.”
Game 1Pine Eagle 100 02 — 3 0 6 Union (10)22 6x — 20 10 2 WP — Reynolds. LP — Hyde. 2B — U, Poe, Reynolds. Game 2Pine Eagle 000 00 — 0 0 1 Union 060 5x — 11 9 1 WP — Riomondo. LP — Pallon. |
