Huskies work on getting offense rolling on diamond
The Sweet Home Huskies continue to show potential early in the season, beating Cottage Grove at home 10-0 on March 31, and keeping it relatively close on the road the next day at No. 10 Molalla in a 6-0 loss.
“In terms of both games, we played solid defense and our pitchers have been performing well,” Coach Evan Teter said.
“Cottage Grove was a weaker offensive team, and we made the plays we needed to. Molalla was a solid offensive team and they hit the ball well. We made some good plays over there as well, but they were able to create chaos and put the ball in play often.
“Once our offense picks up the pace, we will be in a great spot; we just haven’t been able to figure out that side of the game yet.”
Against Molalla, the Huskies struggled, but kept it close for most of the game.
Molalla’s pitcher gave the Huskies trouble, serving them 12 strikeouts, and only letting three Sweet Home batters record a hit.
“Molalla’s pitcher was a good competitor. We put him in a couple difficult situations with runners in scoring position, but he kept his composure,” Teter said.
Despite the offensive struggles, Sweet Home remained competitive thanks to its defense, trailing by just three runs entering the bottom of the fifth inning.
“We are right there. Our defense can hang with just about anyone when we are at our best,” Teter said.
On the mound, Luke Rosa started the game, pitching three innings while allowing five hits and three runs. Kyle Zajic came on in relief, throwing the final three innings and surrendering just two hits, though he also allowed three runs.
“We have some pitchers that we also trust that haven’t seen much time on the mound because our starters have been able to go deep into games,” Teter said.
Defensively, the Huskies have made noticeable strides, significantly reducing errors over recent games. In the last 4 games the Huskies were averaging 5-7 errors per game, In the last two just 1-2 per game.
“Defense is very important, and the guys have done a good job of cleaning up some of the mistakes we saw earlier in the season. It definitely helps us stay competitive and always have a shot at winning a game.” said Teter
The improvements were definitely displayed in a dominant 10-0 victory over Cottage Grove, where the Huskies invoked the mercy rule in a landslide win.
Zajic delivered a standout performance on the mound, pitching five innings on just 58 pitches, including 38 strikes. After allowing a hit in the second at-bat of the game, Zajic and the Huskies did not allow another base runner. He struck out nine of the 16 batters he faced.
“He’s been lights-out for us so far this year.” said Teter
Offensively, the Huskies broke the game open in the second inning. After loading the bases with three consecutive walks, Luke Rosa delivered an inside-the-park grand slam as Sweet Home erupted for eight runs in the inning.
With continued defensive consistency and pitching depth, the Huskies appear poised to take the next step once their offense finds its rhythm.
The Huskies will host No. 18 North Bend, Tuesday April 7, then will play at Harrisburg Friday April 10.
“We just need to make some adjustments at the plate to put some runs on the board. Once we figure that out, we can compete with anyone,” Teter said.
– Keeghan Gittins
Huskies down Woodburn in home track meet
Sweet Home hosted Woodburn Thursday, April 2, in the first of two homestands for the Huskies, winning the boys competition 109-35 and the girls 118-21.
It was the first full competition for the Huskies, who were also to host Newport and Stayton Tuesday, April 2, as their season gets rolling.
Winners for Sweet Home were freshman Brayden Driver in the 200 (24.64), junior David Adderson in the 400 (1:01.89), freshman Elijah Rodriguez in the 3000 (10:30.26) and junior Nick Larson in the 110 hurdles (18.07).
The boys 4×100 relay team of junior Landon Murry, sophomore Sam Barringer, junior Kaeson Walker and Driver won that event in 45.71)
The boys 4×400 relay team of Driver, freshman Bentley Uhlry, Murray and junior Ryker Burr (3:49.81).
In the throws, junior Gavin Tyler finished first in the shot (45-9¾), senior Cannon Klumph in the discus (114-5) and junior Gunnar Summers in the javelin in a personal best of 113-1.
Senior Elisha Scofield won the the high jump (5-6), and Larson won his first outing in the pole vault with a leap of 10-4. Sophomore Mason Tyler won the in the long jump (19-1¼) and Barringer the triple jump (38-5½).
On the girls side, Sweet Home won almost all of the track events.
Senior Loralai Mark won the 100 (13.70); junior Noelle Helfrich the 400 (1:07.32); freshman Kali Vogel the 800 (2:56.41); senior McKenzie Miller the 1500 (5:13.88); and sophomore Emma Whitton the 3000 (11:55.48, a PR).
Senior Delanie Pratt was first in the 100 hurdles (19.20) and junior Amara Gonzales in the 300 hurdles (56.97).
Junior Brooke Elder, Pratt, junior Jayla Moore and Mark teamed up to win the 4×100 (54.00), and Miller, Helfrich, freshman Elizabeth Hankins and Elder were in the 4×400 relay (4:36.96).
In the field, sophomore Sydney Dominy won the shot 30-7¾, while senior Selah Wright was the top finisher in the discus (88-6) and the javelin (101-8, a PR).
Gonzales won the high jump (4-6) and the triple jump (28-7), Mark the long jump (15-4) and
Pratt in the pole vault (7-6).
Sweet Home will be on the road Saturday, April 11, to Banks for the Rob Frank Invitational, which will also include East Linn (see below).
– Staff
East Linn girls first at Regis meet
A limited roster of Lebanon track and field athletes, along with East Linn, competed April 2 at Regis.
Lebanon’s depth paid off with 51 points, over Regis (36) and East Linn (46) on the boys side, while the Eagles won the girls competition with 64 points to 36 for Regis and 38 for Lebanon, which saved its top varsity performers for the Titan meet at West Salem on Saturday (see Lebanon track preview in this edition for more details on that competition. .
Individual winners on the track at Regis for the Lebanon boys were sophomore Eadon Marshall in the 100 (11.88, a personal best) and senior Logan Taylor in the 400 (56.27, a PR), while the
4×100 relay team of senior Boston Borgmann, junior Jack Whitacre, Marshall and Taylor won that event in 45.96.
Winners for the East Linn boys were Ryder Howard in the 200 (24.31, a PR) and the
4×400 all-sophomore team of Gaber Talleur, Jonah Magness, Cole Pennington and Howard (3:47.11).
Howard also won the high jump (5-10) and the long jump (19-7, a PR) and
Pennington won the javelin 129-6, a PR, while senior Hank Davidson won the pole vault in 12-6, his first competition in that event this year.
Freshman Libby Pointer won the long jump for Lebanon girls with a leap of 14-6.
Winners for the East Linn girls were senior Lexy Kauffman in the 100 (13.34) and 200 (27.41), and freshman Morgan Lalonde in the 3000 (13.14.77).
Junior June Cowan won the 100 hurdles (17.55).
Sophomore Kaylyn Kauffman, Cowan, junior Avery Runyon and Lexy Kauffman teamed up to win the 4×100 relay in 53.95.
Sophomore Maci Modderman won the shot (31-2) and the discus (95-9), and senior Svetlana Manner in the javelin (96-9) and the pole vault (7-9) and the triple jump (29-6).
Up next for ELCA is the Harrisburg Invitational Thursday, April 9, followed by the Rob Frank Invitational at Banks Saturday, April 11.
– Staff