Mount Hood

Wolves quiet ‘Jackets’s buzz, stung in rematch

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

The clock’s winding down on the softball season and the race for the GNAC championships. The Wolves looked to four pivotal home games from April 21-22 against Montana State-Billings to stay in postseason conversation. The first game started them out right, defeating the Yellowjackets, 5-2.

They had the help of their premier hitters on the year to nudge them ahead of the Yellowjackets in game one. Second in runs scored in the conference, and first-year right fielder Tyler Creach turned home after a steal to second to start Western’s scoring. Tied for first in the GNAC in doubles, junior outfielder Cheyenne Rimer had another to score in, team home run leader and senior outfielder, Zoe Clark.

The sixth inning came and so did the load up on bases for scores. Junior infielder Ryanne Huffman batted in first-year infielder Sydney Bowers for the game clincher.

The series and score flipped, as the Yellowjackets took game two, 5-2. Montana was bolstered by their own power hitters. Two solo-homers did the damage including one by Montana State-Billings’s pitcher Megan Dettling.

A second doubleheader on April 22 saw Montana and Western even. The ‘Jackets returned again to their batting ways in game one, led by current GNAC home run leader and infielder Cameron Cassinelli who homered in the first run. Montana-State sought to take a commanding series lead up 5-3 going into the seventh inning, but the Wolves made their run.

A solo-homer by sophomore left fielder Ayanna Arceneaux brought them within one. Then, with the bases loaded and after a Creach run to tie, infield sophomore Chandler Bishop hit a walk-off single to win it.

Montana State came back stinging, however, in the final game for the 12-8 victory. Five home runs were smashed out of the park, including a big, grand-slam homer by Dettling in the second inning. The Yellowjackets continued their momentum scoring three more runs to go up 9-0 in the same period.

Western made a significant return as Clark, Huffman, Creach and company scored runs to pull them closer late in the innings but the visiting team created too much cushion between them.

As it’s been all season, the remaining games played by any of Western’s conference foes can shape the playoff picture as one team’s already clinched.

“We have to make sure we take care of ourselves and let the other teams fall where they may,” said Bishop.

They have four remaining games on the season-all played at home-to make up ground.

The four games will be played on April 28-29 with the first doubleheader against Simon Fraser. First pitch is at noon.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Baseball records 26 hits, demolishes Saints 22-4 for sweep

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

Twelve straight runs by Western’s baseball team provided the starting point for the four game sweep against St. Martin’s from April 21-22. The runs created enough separation from St. Martin’s, as the visiting team went down, 12-4 in game one.

The first game set the tone for the rest of the series as scores by first-year left fielder Griffey Halle and senior infielder Jay Leverett would come again in later games. Sophomore first baseman Connor McCord hit a three-shot homer to close game one.

Western’s fielding suffocated the Saints so they could not make much of a difference in base running through seven innings. Seven strikeouts were earned by sophomore pitcher Alex Roth for his fourth win. Roth has not lost a game in his pitching campaign.

The Wolves almost faltered in the first inning of game two in part to a two-shot from Saints’s first baseman Adam Eskil that ran in right fielder Austin Feist. Ground was eventually made up by senior center fielder Cody Dykstra’s two run-in’s. McCord and Halle returned to home plate to retake command at 5-2. The duo of Eskil and Feist returned to tie the scoreboard at 5-5 but it was Wolves senior pinch hitter Spencer Bennion’s game saving walk-off single passed the left infield that prevailed.

Western turned the table completely in game three with 22 runs by the Wolves — the most since they recorded 23 against San Francisco State in 2004. A nine-run fourth inning was part of 17 runs, up until that point. Twenty-six hits tied a team-record and the team hit and scored in every way possible and from every player available. A double, triple, homer, a hit-by-pitch — even a balk by a St. Martin’s pitcher — provided the win. In all, 13 different players on the roster scored.

Almost letting game four go and down 6-1 in the third, the home team kept their composure and stopped the Saints from adding to their score.

In the fifth inning, Halle’s 2-RBI double tied it, and scored himself afterwards off of Dykstra’s double.

Senior outfielder Jacob Martinez’s single in to Dykstra put a cap on the series.

Now, at 19-12 in the GNAC, the team’s run of four straight has come at a turning point in the season. Just ahead of them, and atop the conference, is Montana State-Billings, who recently have won six straight. Four games were forfeited versus Montana earlier in the season because of location difficulties and could mean the difference in seeding for the playoffs.

Western continues a six game home stand starting with Lewis & Clark State college on April 25. They hit the diamond at 2 p.m.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Rugby contends for pacific coast championship

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

The rugby ruck continued for the women’s rugby season, but ended on April 14, as the team pushed on to another trench match with Cal-State Monterey Bay. Despite the 15-5 defeat, the Wolves gave a copious amount of effort to where a few breakaway runs could have declared them divisional champions and an advancement into the next round of the small college rugby organizational tournament.

Senior lock Madison Fagnani spoke proudly of her team’s performance, “For some, it was only their second official rugby game, and they played their heart out. We communicated and trusted each other and played rugby. Our fullback, Brooke Kaylor, made some game-saving tackles.” Fellow leader of the team and forward Sabra Duarte also acknowledged the performance.

“Everyone went out and gave it their all for the whole 80 minutes. We seemed to keep up our energy pretty well throughout the whole game.”
The Wolves have had an eventful season in the lead up to the match. Their record stood at 7-3 and, in a season that’s spanned since early fall, they became battle tested having faced off with competitors such as Willamette University and division I school Eastern Washington. They derailed Willamette three times on the season, including a route of 48-5 on March 10, and got the best of Eastern Washington, 27-7, a week after on March 17. Both Eastern and Willamette were the two lone teams to defeat Western.
The wins were also part of a larger five game win streak that included two other blow out wins of 78-5, and 49-0.

“Our main goal is to get girls to fall in love with rugby,” commented Fagnani. “Rugby teaches you so much more than just how to play. It teaches you (both on and off the field) sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie. Our goal was to build a family and we did it.”

Their next opponent, Cal-State, were ever the formidable opponent. The game was an uphill climb for both teams to start as either team hardly got passed midfield. But a breakaway try put the Golden Eagles on the board first.
Both teams neared to the goal line several times in the second half. Western created initial ground in the half off Fagnani’s returned kick for a big gain, but Cal-State’s defense in the scrums and rucks prevented them from reaching closer many times over.
Finally, with 15 minutes left, Western broke through Cal-State’s rucks for their only try in the game.  

After the game, Fagnani and Duarte applauded the teams play; “It was an awesome opportunity getting to play in California,” said Duarte, “It’s always exciting to see us hold our own against schools that are bigger than us and get more experience throughout the year.”

“Each one of us did something amazing on the field,” expressed Fagnani, “and the best part is that we are a rookie team (mainly beginner players). The fact that there are only minor issues to work on is amazing and that speaks loudly on our coaching staff Emily Applegate, Marissa Minato, and Sammi Williams. We will only get better from here.”

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: Simson Garcia

MVP Corner: Lillard Time

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

The NBA’s 2017-2018 season will be one to remember. James Harden and LeBron James have played up to MVP standards and, while both are heavily favored for the award, Damian Lillard’s breakout year should also be worth consideration. He’s had an MVP type year, no doubt, and here are a few unique reasons why.
Let’s break away from the obvious as Lillard’s helped the Portland Trail Blazers surpass expectations by sporting records better than San Antonio and Oklahoma City, teams with multiple stars. He’s upped his game in shooting, passing and even defense apparatuses this year. Without him, Portland certainly wouldn’t be where they are now. But MVP caliber seasons have something that sticks out from the rest.
Last year, 42 triple doubles, the most ever in a season, helped award Russell Westbrook the MVP. Lillard certainly has a few things up his sleeve this year, too, that puts him in MVPn conversations among NBA pundits. Known in his career for clutch performances during crunch time, the numbers tell it this year and should help place him in consideration for the award.
Down to the wire is where it counts — it’s what fans remember. Everybody remembers MJ and Kobe’s clutch moments. This season showed that Lillard is better than both Harden and James by a mile when the game’s in the balance. In one of the most clutch situations — the free-throw line — Lillard has followed through making 33-36. This was when the game was under five minutes left while neither team was ahead by more than five points, according to NBA Miner.
If stretched a few feet further out to three-point, he’s still better than Harden and James when one considers this interesting stat: Lillard improves his three-point percentage in clutch situations by .385. James drops by .045. Harden declines by .067. In fact, both drop off drastically in free-throw percentages as well.
When one remembers remarkable MVP-like seasons with wire-to-wire finishes — and Lillard’s had many — they’ll remember his time. That’s now.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: oregonlive.com

Wolves get even with Cavs

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

A move to Concordia’s softball facility in Portland changed Western’s playing field as rainouts caused a shift of four home games. But the Wolves evened up the series from April 14-15.
Game one went to the Wolves and their junior pitcher, Haley Fabian, who took command, carrying them to a 3-0 victory. The Cavaliers could not get more than three at-bats throughout the innings. In all, Fabian threw 5 strikeouts, and allowed only three hits and a walk. Fabian’s pitching helped open up the game for the offense to score, running three in, in her complete game shutout.
Concordia was kept scoreless to start the second game as Western’s junior infielder Ryanne Huffman led the way. With 18 runs batted in on the season, she showed for it after a triple allowed for her and first-year utility Tyler Creach to score it 2-0. The game was a back and forth jostle after Concordia came back slashing to a 3-2 lead. The Wolves loaded the bases in the fifth that helped tie the game and returned the advantage in the sixth, 4-3. But the Cavaliers found their niche, and scored four straight runs in the final inning for the 7-5 win to tie the series.  
The Wolves’s early batting order has had a knack for striking initial momentum in games this season and set the pace for the rest of game three. Creach, usually first in the batting order before Huffman, who’s hit to a .405 batting average with 10 RBI’s up to game three’s meeting, did so. The speedy utility scored on all four at-bats shaping the game in Western’s favor and eventual win, 8-4, and series advantage.
Concordia, however, wanted to even things up and made that clear in the final meeting. They’d score six runs up until the seventh. Sophomore outfielder Ayanna Arceneaux and Creach found RBI doubles one right after the other to help score three, but it only avoided a shutout as the Cavaliers prevailed, 6-3, to even the series.
Softball’s scheduled for another four games from April 21-22. They’ll go toe-to-toe with the Montana State-Billlings Yellowjackets. The first throw in game one is at noon. The games are subject to change in case of rainouts.
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: wouwolves.com

Cavaliers outduel Wolves in baseball series, 2-1

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

Monmouth’s rainout also moved Baseball but the team kept things in order for their first game, 6-5, on April 13.
Faced with a 4-1 deficit heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Wolves were down and had to settle in to inch closer. Settling in meant sacrificial plays.

It started with a sacrifice fly that led senior infielder Jay Leverett in to score, and the Wolves continued the hunt. With the bases loaded in the eighth, Leverett returned again to single in a runner that cut the lead to one. The very next play, the bases still loaded, another sac fly by senior infielder Nyles Nygaard scored to tie it.

After the Cavs restructured the score at 5-4, the game looked to be in their hands. With a full count, one more out remained for the Wolves offense before a walk-off home run scored two for the come from behind win.
The duel continued on April 16, and so did the tightly contested gameplay. Concordia loaded the bases to start game two, and a triple ensued to score three in the third inning. Western took its turn in scoring off of Leverett’s sacrifice fly to bat in senior outfielder Jacob Martinez. The previous play shortened Concordia’s lead to 3-2, but the Cavaliers continued where they left off in the fourth scoring two more.
Western tried the comeback strategy again. First-year outfielder Griffey Halle’s solo homer and RBI were just short of the 5-4 defeat.

In the final game, Western tried once again to recover, and found themselves once more in the eighth, after being down 4-1. Their comeback trail started off with junior catcher Justin Wakem’s left field double that scored Nygaard.
One out remained with three on, and it was senior outfielder Cody Dykstra’s single through the left side enabling Wakem and sophomore outfielder Torreahno Sweet to tie. But an RBI single to left field was all the Cavaliers needed for the win.

Western gets four at home against the St. Martin’s University Saints from April 21-22. They’ll hit the mound first at 1 p.m.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: Wouwolves.com

Nighthawks prey on Wolves

 

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

The Nighthawks rained down on the Wolves from April 5-6 in a pair of doubleheaders that saw a four-game series belong to Northwest Nazarene, 3-1.

Northwest protected their diamond field in game one and put up a series of runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings that made it 10-2.

Number one at-bat and first-year Tyler Creach tripled down the left-field line to start play for the Wolves. But Creach’s run in thereafter, along with outfielder Zoe Clark’s solo home run in the fourth inning were Western’s only scores. First-year pitcher for the Nighthawks, Jordan Adams, kept opposing batters from doing much damage. With the highest earned-run-average — 1.64 — in the GNAC, and a 12-5 win-loss record, her pitching power showed. Adams struck out 10 in the complete game.

The action intensified in game two, starting in the first inning. Creach initiated play again with the game’s first single and junior infield teammate Ryanne Huffman followed suit. After the two scored, two more built Western’s lead, thanks to Clark’s triple that batted in junior catcher Nicole Miller and first-year Kylie Lynn, who ran in Clark.

Nazarene came back in their half of the first, scoring three runs of their own. While it looked as if the Nighthawks weren’t done, a 6-4-3 double play prevented them from establishing more momentum.

Clark became familiar with Nazarene’s sophomore pitcher Rae Young, and homered to help extend the lead to 7-3. The pair of Creach and Huffman scored home for the second time in the fourth and, a few innings later, Clark’s two-shot homer poured icing on the cake for the 11-5 win.

Adams returned to the mound for game three and the Wolves could not figure her out. This allowed the offense to flourish for the Nighthawks: a single, double, triple and homer each helped score runs throughout that decided the game at 7-0.

Western sought to even up the series in the final game and locked in during the second inning. The bases were loaded, and a series of advances via walks, wild pitches and sacrifice fly’s built the difference to 5-1. Soaring back were the Nighthawks, however, with three runs of their own in the fourth.

One more Wolf run was added before Adams returned to the helm in the fifth. At six-all in the seventh, the game went into extras in a pitching matchup of Western junior Haley Fabian versus Adams. The two went toe-to-toe until a walk-off homer in the ninth retired the Wolves, 7-6.

A return to home field is in store for Western on April 14, when they’ll match up with Concordia in a doubleheader. A second doubleheader set will be played on April 15 in Portland, OR. The Wolves throw first at 12 p.m. in game one.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: wouwolves.com

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