3/8/14
WALLA WALLA — The Mount Hood Community College softball team rattled the bats here Saturday afternoon to the tune off eight home runs and 27 runs in a doubleheader against Walla Walla.
MHCC blanked the Warriors 10-0 in the opening game and added an impressive 17-6 win in the second game of the twin bill.
“We just left some pitches — when we got into positive counts — where they could hit them, “ WWCC coach Mark Michaud said. “We left some pitches in spots where they could hit the ball well. They’re an aggressive hitting team and a very good program.
“They showed up with a couple games under their belt,” he added. “We were getting out there with our first game and that showed the first couple of at-bats.”
The Saints’ designated player, Megan Reed, led with three homers while center fielder Kelsey Reams added two. Three other MHCC players — Chelsea Spanier, Kasidee Lemberger and Mercedes Green — also clubbed home runs.
Warriors pitcher Jamie Moe pitched 4 1/3 innings in game one. She was tagged for 10 runs and 11 hits while her fielders committed three errors.
Hanna DeBaugh finished game one in the circle for the Warriors, as she secured the final two outs before starting the second game. She lasted only 2/3 of an inning and gave up six runs.
Warrior relief pitcher Miranda Smith battled through the final 6 1/3 innings of game two and gave up another 11 runs.
“As far as our pitchers go, we got into good counts and left balls that were hittable out there,” Michaud said. “They (MHCC) got us down in 0-2, 1-2 counts and put us away. That was the story in that regard.”
The Warriors managed to score six runs on eight hits in game two, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Saints’ explosive offense.
“We scored a good amount of runs,” Michaud said. “The girls fought, we battled the entire time. (We) started getting the bats going and that was good to see, very positive.”
Kristen Crawford tossed a complete game and was responsible for all four of the Warrior runs in game two.
Saints pitcher Ann-Marie Guischer was near flawless in game one, as she went the distance in the circle. She allowed four hits and struck out seven over her five innings of work.
Article by Dustin Holden of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
