Beaverton held off a furious 7th-inning rally and beat the Wildcats at Westview 7 - 6 on Monday. Coming on the heels of the team's emotional win at Southridge on Friday, the Beavers ran their Metro win streak to 3 games and moved into sole possession of the League's final playoff spot.
The Beavers started slowly at Westview. With two outs in the top of the first, Willow Martinson lined the 9th pitch of her at-bat into left field, but Kayla Lauro hit a 3-0 pitch back to the pitcher for a groundout to end the inning.
The Wildcats had much better success in their half of the first. Starter Megen Ickler gave up a single to right, a stolen base, a bunt single and then got a called third strike and Westview had runners on first and third with one out. Sticking with the short game, the Wildcats clean-up hitter bunted down the third base line and an effort to catch the runner from third coming home was late while the runner on first went all the way to third. The next batter grounded out to Hannah Johnson at second, scoring the runner from third. The next Wildcat struck out to end the inning with Westview up 2 - 0.
The Beavers wasted no time getting rolling in the top of the 2nd. Ruby LaFollette led off with a single up the middle and after an attempt to sacrifice her to second by Hannah Johnson was misplayed, the Beavers had runners on first and second with no outs. Gracie Coburn hit back to the pitcher who forced LaFollette at third. Ickler followed with a solid single, scoring Johnson and moving Coburn to third. Natsuki Horakawa grounded out to first base, scoring Coburn and leaving Ickler on second with two outs. Up next, Maddie Evans laced the first pitch back up the middle, scoring Ickler. The next batter grounded out to first ending the Beavers half of the second.
Ickler needed only 7 pitches to retire the Wildcats in the bottom of the second, getting first-pitch comebackers from the first two batters and a harmless roller to Johnson at second base for the third out. After two, the Beavers led 3 - 2.
The Beaver bats continued to roll along in the third. Martinson opened the inning with another single to left and Lauro followed with a double to right center. LaFollette reached on an error, scoring pinch-runner Moriah Kimmer. Johnson was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases with no outs and setting up what looked like a big inning for the Beavers. Coburn was up next, flying out to center field, but scoring Lauro from third. The opportunity to blow the game open ended with a grounder to the pitcher and a strikeout.
Westview, now down 5 - 2, tried to scrap back in their half of the third. After a lead-off groundout to Johnson, the next batter got aboard with a bunt, but was promptly forced at second when the following batter hit the ball to Evans at short for the relay to Johnson on the bag. Now with two outs and a runner on first, Westview's next batter walked, but a groundout to short ended the Westview threat.
Westview made a pitching change to show the Beaver batters a different look in the top of the fourth. Nevertheless, Evans led off the inning with her second hit, a single that dropped in shallow center field. Megan John sacrificed Evans to second, but a pop foul to third and a grounder back to the pitcher left her stranded there.
Westview went down one-two-three again in the fourth - this time on only six pitches - with grounders to Johnson and Evans and a fly to Johnson.
The Beavers retained their 5 - 2 lead as they came to the plate in the top of the 5th, but another promising start ended with no scoring. LaFollette led off the inning and reached on an error on the Westview first baseman. She was forced at second when Johnson also hit to the first baseman. Coburn, batting third, sacrificed Johnson to second, but the next batter grounded out to second, ending the inning.
Westview struck in their half of the fifth. A lead-off single to center on an 0 - 2 count was quickly followed by two groundouts to Johnson and Ickler, moving the runner to third. The next batter hit a bloop single to right field that unexpectedly dropped between Johnson and right fielder Caitlin Ellerbe, scoring the runner from third. Ickler struck out the next batter, ending the inning with Beaverton still leading 5 - 3.
One major difference in this edition of the Beavers from previous years is its ability to keep scoring until the game is over. Coming up in the sixth, the Beavers knew five runs probably wouldn't get it done, based on their experience against Westview earlier in the season. Leading off the inning, Horakawa drew a walk and was moved to second on Evans' third hit of the game, a single to left. A wild pitch gave the Beavers runners on second and third with no outs. The Beavers then produced back-to-back fly outs to center, but the second one - by Martinson - was deep enough to score Horakawa from third with Evans moving over to occupy that base. Up next, Lauro delivered a single to right on a full count, scoring Evans. LaFollette hit safely up the middle, and a double steal gave the Beavers runners on second and third with two outs. The next batter flied out to center though, ending the Beavers half of the sixth having extended their lead to 7 - 3.
Westview tried to get the runs back in the bottom of the sixth. The first two Wildcat batters singled and were sacrificed to second and third. But with one out, Ickler got consecutive strikeouts, stopping the Wildcats in their tracks.
Coming to the seventh, the Beavers enjoyed a 7 - 3 lead and no doubt hoped to extend it yet again, but consecutive flyouts to right field and a hard liner that was snared at third base ended the Beavers final at-bat in regulation.
Westview did not become the quality softball program it has been for years by rolling over when the going gets tough. The Wildcats roared back into the game with a ferocity that would have unhinged previous Beaver teams. Two singles and an error gave Westview loaded bases and their cleanup hitter at the plate - one swing from tying the game. In a bit of strategery, the Beavers issued her an intentional walk, giving up a run to get to the bottom half of the Wildcat order. Now down 7 - 4, the next Wildcat batter hit the ball back to Ickler, who threw to Martinson for the force at home. A single to left by the next Westview hitter scored another run, and kept the bases loaded as Westview closed to 7 - 5. The 7th batter of the inning hit the ball to short, where Evans fielded it and stepped on third for the force, but allowing yet another run to score. Now the game was really on the line with runners on first and second, two outs and Westview trailing by only one run. The team's 8th batter obliged the Beavers by hitting a grounder to Lauro, who almost casually gunned her out at first, ending the game.
Ickler picked up the win and the Beavers moved into sole possession of 4th place in the Metro League, only one game out of third. The team faces undefeated Jesuit Wednesday, a school it has not beaten in years. But after breaking through against Southridge Friday - a team Beaverton had not beaten since 2004 - a better showing then the 10 - 0 pasting the Crusaders delivered earlier in the season certainly seems possible.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Beavers Give One Away In 10-Inning Thriller At Canby
For anyone who thinks that the outcome of a softball game couldn't possibly turn on only one or two plays, the Beaverton -Canby matchup on Thursday is recommended. After battling for 10 innings, Canby came away with the 4 - 2 victory in 10 innings.
Things started slowly on offense for the Beavers against Canby ace Jen O'Donnell. Through 5 innings, Beaverton managed only 3 hits and one walk and never seriously threatened to score, advancing only one runner as far as second base. Canby had little more success against Beaverton ace Megen Ickler (3-2), who scattered 5 hits through five innings. Ickler and the defense hurt themselves, however - giving up two unearned runs - in ways Canby never did.
In the Canby 2nd inning, Ickler hit the first batter in the ankle on an 0 - 2 count. The next batter attempted to sacrifice, but reached base on an unforced throwing error, allowing the Cougars to gain a first and third situation with no outs. After a pop-up to first, a bloop infield single loaded the bases and the next batter hit a long fly ball to center field, scoring the runner from third. A routine ground out to third ended the inning with Canby up 1 - 0.
The Cougars scored again in the 4th. With one out, a towering shot was hit to left center field. Beaver outfielders almost collided and then threw away the relay, allowing the batter to score. Fly outs to short and left field sandwiched a single up the middle and ended the inning.
Down 2 - 0 and down to their last six outs, the Beavers finally got to O'Donnell in the 6th. Ruby LaFollette led off the inning with a sharp line drive to left center and Willow Martinson drew a walk. Ickler was next, grounding out to second, but advancing both runners. Megan John then roped a 2 - 0 pitch down the right field line for a double, scoring LaFollette and pinch runner Valerie Sanchez and tying the game. John moved to third on a passed ball and the Beavers seemed primed to take the lead, but two strikeouts stopped the rally.
In the Canby 6th, another Beaver throwing error and a walk gave the Cougars runners on first and second with one out. The next batter tried to sacrifice, but Ickler threw her out at first, and Hannah Johnson, covering from second, gunned out the runner at third as Gracie Coburn raced in from left to take the throw.
In the 7th, the Beavers went three and out, and were looking to hold Canby to send the game to extra frames. The first Cougar batter flied out to Short, but the next singled to right field, then took second on another Beaver throwing error. With a runner in scoring position, the third Canby batter of the inning hit a fly ball which Shortstop Maddie Evans snared for the second out. The Cougar runner on second was caught off the base, leaning towards third, however, and Evans flipped the ball to Hannah Johnson for the force out at second and the Beavers' second double play in as many innings.
The only real threat to end the game in the 8th or 9th innings came in the Canby half of the 9th. After a lead-off double to the left-field line, Ickler got a pop-up to Martinson at catcher, a routine grounder to Johnson at second and then made a spectacular diving catch of a pop-up in no-man's land between first base and the pitching plate.
Under OSAA rules, once the 10th inning comes around, the game goes to the tie-breaker rules so familiar to those who play summer ball. The final out of the previous inning is positioned on second base, giving teams a better chance to score and end the game. In the Beaverton 10th, this put Evans on second. She was promptly sacrificed to third by Caitlin Ellerbe. With two chances to take their first lead, the Beavers again produced two strikeouts.
In their turn, Canby took advantage of the last Beaver mistake. Starting with a runner on second, Ickler got a called third strike for the first out, but also issued a wild pitch moving the runner to third. With the Canby clean-up hitter at the plate and a 2 - 0 count, the next pitch was thrown right over the middle of the plate and deposited over the fence in left center field, giving Canby a hard-won 4 - 2 victory.
Canby is clearly a quality opponent, having beaten Westview and lost a close game to Jesuit this season. The 10th-inning home run was one of the few earned runs Beaverton has given up in the pre-season schedule. Despite the errors, the Beavers showed dramatic improvement in remaining focused throughout the game. Continued improvement in this area is likely to yield positive results going forward.
The Beavers now move into the Metro League season with a 5 - 4 record and having scored 2/3 as many runs as they did all last season. The Metro season promises tough tests three times per week through May 15 and perhaps the most competitive top-to-bottom group in the state. The team's goal is a return to the playoffs. In 2008, that took 6 league wins.
Things started slowly on offense for the Beavers against Canby ace Jen O'Donnell. Through 5 innings, Beaverton managed only 3 hits and one walk and never seriously threatened to score, advancing only one runner as far as second base. Canby had little more success against Beaverton ace Megen Ickler (3-2), who scattered 5 hits through five innings. Ickler and the defense hurt themselves, however - giving up two unearned runs - in ways Canby never did.
In the Canby 2nd inning, Ickler hit the first batter in the ankle on an 0 - 2 count. The next batter attempted to sacrifice, but reached base on an unforced throwing error, allowing the Cougars to gain a first and third situation with no outs. After a pop-up to first, a bloop infield single loaded the bases and the next batter hit a long fly ball to center field, scoring the runner from third. A routine ground out to third ended the inning with Canby up 1 - 0.
The Cougars scored again in the 4th. With one out, a towering shot was hit to left center field. Beaver outfielders almost collided and then threw away the relay, allowing the batter to score. Fly outs to short and left field sandwiched a single up the middle and ended the inning.
Down 2 - 0 and down to their last six outs, the Beavers finally got to O'Donnell in the 6th. Ruby LaFollette led off the inning with a sharp line drive to left center and Willow Martinson drew a walk. Ickler was next, grounding out to second, but advancing both runners. Megan John then roped a 2 - 0 pitch down the right field line for a double, scoring LaFollette and pinch runner Valerie Sanchez and tying the game. John moved to third on a passed ball and the Beavers seemed primed to take the lead, but two strikeouts stopped the rally.
In the Canby 6th, another Beaver throwing error and a walk gave the Cougars runners on first and second with one out. The next batter tried to sacrifice, but Ickler threw her out at first, and Hannah Johnson, covering from second, gunned out the runner at third as Gracie Coburn raced in from left to take the throw.
In the 7th, the Beavers went three and out, and were looking to hold Canby to send the game to extra frames. The first Cougar batter flied out to Short, but the next singled to right field, then took second on another Beaver throwing error. With a runner in scoring position, the third Canby batter of the inning hit a fly ball which Shortstop Maddie Evans snared for the second out. The Cougar runner on second was caught off the base, leaning towards third, however, and Evans flipped the ball to Hannah Johnson for the force out at second and the Beavers' second double play in as many innings.
The only real threat to end the game in the 8th or 9th innings came in the Canby half of the 9th. After a lead-off double to the left-field line, Ickler got a pop-up to Martinson at catcher, a routine grounder to Johnson at second and then made a spectacular diving catch of a pop-up in no-man's land between first base and the pitching plate.
Under OSAA rules, once the 10th inning comes around, the game goes to the tie-breaker rules so familiar to those who play summer ball. The final out of the previous inning is positioned on second base, giving teams a better chance to score and end the game. In the Beaverton 10th, this put Evans on second. She was promptly sacrificed to third by Caitlin Ellerbe. With two chances to take their first lead, the Beavers again produced two strikeouts.
In their turn, Canby took advantage of the last Beaver mistake. Starting with a runner on second, Ickler got a called third strike for the first out, but also issued a wild pitch moving the runner to third. With the Canby clean-up hitter at the plate and a 2 - 0 count, the next pitch was thrown right over the middle of the plate and deposited over the fence in left center field, giving Canby a hard-won 4 - 2 victory.
Canby is clearly a quality opponent, having beaten Westview and lost a close game to Jesuit this season. The 10th-inning home run was one of the few earned runs Beaverton has given up in the pre-season schedule. Despite the errors, the Beavers showed dramatic improvement in remaining focused throughout the game. Continued improvement in this area is likely to yield positive results going forward.
The Beavers now move into the Metro League season with a 5 - 4 record and having scored 2/3 as many runs as they did all last season. The Metro season promises tough tests three times per week through May 15 and perhaps the most competitive top-to-bottom group in the state. The team's goal is a return to the playoffs. In 2008, that took 6 league wins.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Beaver Bats Deliver 21 Hits, Rout Newberg in 5
The Beavers played their first game at Montag Stadium since March 20th, and responded to the home cookin' by pounding out 21 hits in only 5 innings Tuesday, beating overmatched Newberg
17 - 7. With the exception of a shaky 4th inning, the Beaver defense and pitching performed well, limiting Newberg to just 5 hits.
Megen Ickler (3-1) got the start in the circle for the Beavers and allowed 2 hits in the top of the first, including a bunt single to the second batter she faced. After a called third strike for the second out, the Tigers' clean-up hitter stroked a single to left field, giving Newberg runners on first and third. Ickler struck out the next batter to end the threat.
The Beavers started rolling on offense from their opening at bat. Hannah Johnson led off with a walk and was followed by Ruby LaFollette's single to right. That brought Willow Martinson to the plate and she crushed an 0 - 2 pitch to deep left field for a 3-run homer. Leading 3 - 0 with no outs, the next batter grounded out to third, but the Newberg pitcher hit Ickler in the foot and gave up a single to Gracie Coburn. Megan John laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Victoria Sanchez (pinch running for Ickler) to third and Coburn to second. Maddie Evans then delivered a first-pitch single to right center, scoring Sanchez. A single to shallow centerfield by Natsuki Horakawa led to Evans being forced at second, ending the inning with the Beavers up 4 - 0.
In the 2nd, Ickler allowed a lead-off single, but then got a strikeout and two harmless ground balls to short and second to shut Newberg down. Having batted through the order in the first, the Beavers were ready for more. Hannah Johnson - who came to the plate a remarkable 5 times in the game - led off again, this time reaching base on a throwing error by the Newberg third baseman. After a flyout to center, Martinson lazered a single, giving the Beavers two on with one out. Kayla Lauro was up next, and she delivered a ball to straightaway centerfield that probably needed binoculars to see the fence as it sailed over. The 3-run shot pushed Beaverton's lead to 7 - 0, and prompted a pitching change for Newberg. Right back at it, Ickler singled and after a pop-out to second base, John doubled, scoring Tyler (running for Ickler). Evans was next, singling again and notching another RBI as John scooted for home. Horakowa continued the hit parade to left center for a double, plating Evans. With official scorer Chris Johnson's hand beginning to cramp up, Hannah Johnson reached for the second time in the inning with a single. LaFollette walked to load the bases, but a pop-up to shortstop ended the incredible Beaver inning with the team enjoying an 11 - 0 lead.
Newberg got on the board in the top of the third. A leadoff single was followed by a fly out to second, and the third Tiger batter then knocked a double off a diving John's glove in right center for the RBI. Ickler again got routine grounders to short and third to end the inning. The Beavers could manage only one run in their half of the inning. Two quick outs were followed by Coburn reaching on an error and singles by John and Evans. The bases were loaded for Horakawa who walked on four straight pitches from Newberg's third pitcher of the game, scoring Coburn. A foul pop-up to first stranded three more Beaver runners.
In the fourth, with Tyler on in relief of Ickler and the Beavers leading 11 - 1, spectators might have been forgiven had they felt transported back in time to the Tigard game. Things appeared fine for a moment as Tyler gave up a walk, then got an easy fly ball to John in centerfield. This was followed, however, by another walk, a single which scored a run, and then 3 straight errors on routine ground balls and in ill-advised efforts to fool runners on third with fake throw-downs to second base. The Tigers ended up scoring 6 unearned runs in the frame on just one hit before Tyler restored order and got groundouts to second and first.
Luckily the Beavers had an advantage they lacked at Tigard - a big lead. Up 11 - 7, the Beavers tacked on another run in the bottom of the 4th. LaFollette led off the inning with a triple down the right field line, and came home when the relay was thrown over the pitcher's head and up against the Beaver's dugout. Martinson was up next and blasted a double to left, but the next two Beaver batters grounded out to third and short, only moving her to third. Sanchez, on for Coburn, drew a walk, but with runners at first and third, the next hitter popped up to first ending the Beaver inning with the score 12 - 7.
Up against it, Newberg started the 5th with two quick groundouts to second and third on 4 pitches. After a walk and a single, the Tiger's lead-off hitter grounded into a force play at third for Horakawa.
High school "mercy" rules allow for a stoppage of the game if a team is leading by 10 or more runs after 5 innings and the Beavers came to bat needing five more runs to call it an early evening. After a strikeout, Horakawa singled and Johnson walked. After another strikeout, Martinson came to the plate and stroked her second double and third extra-base hit, scoring Horakawa. Lauro singled scoring Johnson, Tyler drew a walk and Sanchez singled to score Martinson and Lauro. Now with two outs, the Beavers needed just one more run, and John delivered again, singling to score Tyler from second. Tyler collided with the Newberg catcher - who was blocking home plate without the ball - and had to crawl the last couple of feet to touch the base. She appeared to have a slight knee sprain, but medical reports were pending at press time.
The Beavers turned in some incredible hitting performances against Newberg. Martinson went 3 - 4 with 4 runs batted in, Lauro also had 4 RBI, John was 3 - 4 with 2 RBI, Evans was 3 - 4 with 2 RBI and Horakawa was 3 - 3 with 2 RBI and a walk. Up next on Thursday are the Canby Cougars, a team that will provide a much stiffer challenge.
17 - 7. With the exception of a shaky 4th inning, the Beaver defense and pitching performed well, limiting Newberg to just 5 hits.
Megen Ickler (3-1) got the start in the circle for the Beavers and allowed 2 hits in the top of the first, including a bunt single to the second batter she faced. After a called third strike for the second out, the Tigers' clean-up hitter stroked a single to left field, giving Newberg runners on first and third. Ickler struck out the next batter to end the threat.
The Beavers started rolling on offense from their opening at bat. Hannah Johnson led off with a walk and was followed by Ruby LaFollette's single to right. That brought Willow Martinson to the plate and she crushed an 0 - 2 pitch to deep left field for a 3-run homer. Leading 3 - 0 with no outs, the next batter grounded out to third, but the Newberg pitcher hit Ickler in the foot and gave up a single to Gracie Coburn. Megan John laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Victoria Sanchez (pinch running for Ickler) to third and Coburn to second. Maddie Evans then delivered a first-pitch single to right center, scoring Sanchez. A single to shallow centerfield by Natsuki Horakawa led to Evans being forced at second, ending the inning with the Beavers up 4 - 0.
In the 2nd, Ickler allowed a lead-off single, but then got a strikeout and two harmless ground balls to short and second to shut Newberg down. Having batted through the order in the first, the Beavers were ready for more. Hannah Johnson - who came to the plate a remarkable 5 times in the game - led off again, this time reaching base on a throwing error by the Newberg third baseman. After a flyout to center, Martinson lazered a single, giving the Beavers two on with one out. Kayla Lauro was up next, and she delivered a ball to straightaway centerfield that probably needed binoculars to see the fence as it sailed over. The 3-run shot pushed Beaverton's lead to 7 - 0, and prompted a pitching change for Newberg. Right back at it, Ickler singled and after a pop-out to second base, John doubled, scoring Tyler (running for Ickler). Evans was next, singling again and notching another RBI as John scooted for home. Horakowa continued the hit parade to left center for a double, plating Evans. With official scorer Chris Johnson's hand beginning to cramp up, Hannah Johnson reached for the second time in the inning with a single. LaFollette walked to load the bases, but a pop-up to shortstop ended the incredible Beaver inning with the team enjoying an 11 - 0 lead.
Newberg got on the board in the top of the third. A leadoff single was followed by a fly out to second, and the third Tiger batter then knocked a double off a diving John's glove in right center for the RBI. Ickler again got routine grounders to short and third to end the inning. The Beavers could manage only one run in their half of the inning. Two quick outs were followed by Coburn reaching on an error and singles by John and Evans. The bases were loaded for Horakawa who walked on four straight pitches from Newberg's third pitcher of the game, scoring Coburn. A foul pop-up to first stranded three more Beaver runners.
In the fourth, with Tyler on in relief of Ickler and the Beavers leading 11 - 1, spectators might have been forgiven had they felt transported back in time to the Tigard game. Things appeared fine for a moment as Tyler gave up a walk, then got an easy fly ball to John in centerfield. This was followed, however, by another walk, a single which scored a run, and then 3 straight errors on routine ground balls and in ill-advised efforts to fool runners on third with fake throw-downs to second base. The Tigers ended up scoring 6 unearned runs in the frame on just one hit before Tyler restored order and got groundouts to second and first.
Luckily the Beavers had an advantage they lacked at Tigard - a big lead. Up 11 - 7, the Beavers tacked on another run in the bottom of the 4th. LaFollette led off the inning with a triple down the right field line, and came home when the relay was thrown over the pitcher's head and up against the Beaver's dugout. Martinson was up next and blasted a double to left, but the next two Beaver batters grounded out to third and short, only moving her to third. Sanchez, on for Coburn, drew a walk, but with runners at first and third, the next hitter popped up to first ending the Beaver inning with the score 12 - 7.
Up against it, Newberg started the 5th with two quick groundouts to second and third on 4 pitches. After a walk and a single, the Tiger's lead-off hitter grounded into a force play at third for Horakawa.
High school "mercy" rules allow for a stoppage of the game if a team is leading by 10 or more runs after 5 innings and the Beavers came to bat needing five more runs to call it an early evening. After a strikeout, Horakawa singled and Johnson walked. After another strikeout, Martinson came to the plate and stroked her second double and third extra-base hit, scoring Horakawa. Lauro singled scoring Johnson, Tyler drew a walk and Sanchez singled to score Martinson and Lauro. Now with two outs, the Beavers needed just one more run, and John delivered again, singling to score Tyler from second. Tyler collided with the Newberg catcher - who was blocking home plate without the ball - and had to crawl the last couple of feet to touch the base. She appeared to have a slight knee sprain, but medical reports were pending at press time.
The Beavers turned in some incredible hitting performances against Newberg. Martinson went 3 - 4 with 4 runs batted in, Lauro also had 4 RBI, John was 3 - 4 with 2 RBI, Evans was 3 - 4 with 2 RBI and Horakawa was 3 - 3 with 2 RBI and a walk. Up next on Thursday are the Canby Cougars, a team that will provide a much stiffer challenge.
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