By Keeghan Gittins
For The New Era
The Sweet Home Huskies softball team fell to Cascade 12-2 on Monday, May 4, before bouncing back with a 3-1 win over Newport and an 8-3 victory against North Marion in last week’s Oregon West Conference play.
Against Cascade, Sweet Home struggled defensively, committing seven errors, compared to the Cougars’ two. The Huskies were only able to collect four hits in the loss.
“The first time we played Cascade we did a better job of holding them defensively and once they got their momentum, we couldn’t cut their offense off fast enough,” said Coach Emily Marchbanks.
Aaliyah Brown took over in the circle for the final inning, but Cascade was still able to score five runs.
“I think there is some of both – Cascade has an excellent pitcher and she threw a great game against us, but we were also not being able to connect with the ball well,” Marchbanks said.
Sweet Home rebounded against Newport, collecting nine hits in a 3-1 win over the Cubs. Katriona Harris and the Huskies defense held Newport scoreless for six of the seven innings. Defense played a major role throughout the matchup, as neither team recorded an extra-base hit.
“We just couldn’t string our hits together against Newport,” said Marchbanks.
Addy Vannice and Miley Smith each stole two bases during the game.
The Huskies followed with another win, against North Marion, defeating the other Huskies 8-3 after breaking the game open in the bottom of the second inning with five straight runs.
“We strung good at-bats together and got the momentum during that inning,” Marchbanks said.
Katriona Harris had a strong performance at the plate with two doubles, while Miley Smith added a triple. Smith and Vannice also each recorded a stolen base.
Harris pitched complete games against both Newport and North Marion.
“Peanut has been working really hard on her hitting and I am glad it has been coming around for her,” said Marchbanks.
This week Sweet Home faced No. 11 Stayton on the road Monday May 11, before coming home to face Philomath and then traveling again to Cascade Thursday, May 14. This will start Sweet Home’s final round of league. The Huskies came into this week sitting in third place in league, 5-5 in league play and 11-10 overall, good for a No. 16 state ranking.
Baseball team goes 2-1 against Newport
Sweet Home’s baseball team opened its series last week against Newport strong, winning the first two games 11-5 and 8-5 before dropping the final matchup 4-1.
In the opening game on the road Monday, May 4, the Huskies used aggressive baserunning and timely hitting to pull away from the Cubs. Kyle Zajic led the offense with four singles, while Luke Rosa finished close behind with three hits and three RBIs. Four different Huskies also stole a base during the win.
Zajic started on the mound for Sweet Home, throwing 105 pitches through six innings. He allowed six hits and five runs while striking out four batters. Lindsey came in to relieve Zajic in the final inning and did not allow a hit. The Huskies’ defense sealed the victory with a double play to end the game.
Sweet Home followed with another offensive performance in the second game, winning 8-5. Rosa again drove in three runs to lead the Huskies, while Zajic and Tregon Francis each added a double.
Eddie Taylor got the start on the mound and pitched the first three innings, recording five strikeouts while allowing seven hits and four runs. Lindsey once again closed the game for Sweet Home, shutting down the Cubs over the final four innings. He allowed just two hits and one run while striking out four batters and not issuing a walk.
Lindsey and several of the younger Huskies pitchers have struggled with free bases this season, but he was able to find his rhythm in the series-clinching win.
In the final game of the series, Sweet Home was unable to complete the sweep, falling 4-1. The Huskies struck out a season-high 11 times in the loss.
Coach Evan Teter could not be reached for comment.
Sweet Home is facing North Marion this week in its second-to-last regular-season series. Sweet Home came into this week in fourth place in league with a 4-5 league record, two games back from Cascade but tied with Newport.