Three dominating wins pushed the Huskies solidly into second place one loss behind Elmira in the Sky-Em softball league.
The Huskies started the week on April 15 shutting out Cottage Grove 9-0 at home. On the road Thursday, they defeated Sutherlin 19-6, scoring 10 runs in the seventh inning. On Friday, the Huskies defeated Junction City 19-3, with nine of the runs in the seventh inning.
“The girls are starting to come on strong,” said Coach Shane Cochran. “Defense is tough, and our offense is even tougher.
“You always have to play good defense to win games. It’s a must. But if your offense can pick a pitcher apart and get 15 plus hits a game, you are going to win. The girls are executing well on offense and hitting the ball hard and sharp.”
Cochran switched the batting lineup a bit, and it’s paid off, he said. “I have girls where they need to be now. The team’s small game has been very good, and mixed with some power hitting, we have been scoring a lot of runs.”
At the plate, Sierra Thayer is on fire and leading the team in hits, RBIs and runs scored, Cochran said. She has hit six triples and four doubles so far.
Natalie Thorpe is getting on base a lot stealing bases well, Cochran said. If she reaches base, she’s standing on third within three or four pitches.
“Mckenzie Cochran’s bat has come to life, which helps this team move and score runners in front of her,” Cochran said. “McKenzie is a very good bunter and puts the ball in play ever time up to bat.”
Ally Tow has hit the ball to the fence a few times and has three doubles so far, Cochran said. Sarita Zanona has driven in a lot of runs this year and “seems to always be able to scrap her way on base with a hit.”
“Madi Barringer and Makenna Melbey are coming up with clutch hits at the right times, and Caytlin Gillespie is starting to put the bat on the ball with a lot of force,” Cochran said. Britney Zook has switched from the right side to the left side and is coming around very well.
“Zook is a big competitor, and she is very fast,” Coachran said. “When she gets on base, I give the steal to her every pitch.”
Ally Tow and Sarita Zanona have given the Huskies great pitching, Cochran said. “These two girls did not expect to pitch this year, but when Brianna Hoffman broke her leg, they both jumped in and worked hard. This has been a big key to winning games for us. Without these two girls, we would be in trouble.”
The girls are looking forward to playing Elmira Friday, Cochran said
The Huskies lost their only league game 9-6 to Elmira earlier this month.
“We owe them a few,” Cochran said. “They will be extremely focused for that game, and I suspect the girls will put a lot of runs on the board.”
Sweet Home 9, Cottage Grove 0
The Huskies scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead and held Cottage Grove scoreless.
Thorpe, Thayer and Zook each hit the ball twice, while Tow Zanona and Barringer each had a hit. Zanona pitched all seven innings.
Cottage Grove 000 000 0 – 0 1 7
Sweet Home 250 002 x – 9 10 0
Sweet Home 19, Sutherlin 6
The Huskies scored five runs in the top of the first and added a run in the fourth and two in the fifth to build an 8-6 lead and seal the win Thursday on the road. The team collected 22 hits.
Tow pitched 4.5 innings, and Zanona pitched two.
At bat, Thayer hit the ball five times, while Cochran and Tow hit it four times each. Thorpe colleted three hits; Gillespie and Zook, two; and Zanona and Mikayla Spencer, one.
Sweet Home 500 121 10 – 19 22 1
Sutherlin 002 003 1 – 6 7 6
Sweet Home 19, Junction City 3
Sweet Home scored five runs in the first inning to take permanent control over Junction City Friday on the road. Teamwide they hit the ball 26 times.
Thayer notched five more hits, with Thorpe and Zanona recording four. Cochran, Tow, Barringer and Melbey each hit three times, and Gillespie hit once.
Tow pitched all seven innings.
Sweet Home 501 004 9 – 19 26 2
Junction City 020 010 0 – 3 6 6