Wednesday, March 23, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
13
Outlaws prepare for baseball season
By Rongi Yost
Correspondent
The Outlaws are hard at
work preparing for the season
ahead. Sisters graduated sev-
eral seniors, but they return
a core of players who have
played together since Little
League.
Connor Lake is the lone
senior who returns to the var-
sity squad, and saw only mini-
mal time on varsity last year.
Lake will play at first base for
the Outlaws, and will also see
some time on the mound.
“Connor has real power
at the bat,” said Coach Steve
Hodges. “He showed signs
last year of being a potential
power hitter, but I haven’t
seen him hit yet this season
due to basketball just coming
to a close.”
Two juniors return for
another year — Alec Gannon
and Ryan Funk.
Gannon, an all-leaguer
from last year, will be a versa-
tile player for the Outlaws this
year. He’s a left-handed hit-
ter and will most likely hit at
the No. 1 or No. 2 spot. Alec
started as a freshman, has been
in playoff situations, and will
bring with him over 50 games
of varsity experience. Alec
will play in the infield at both
shortstop and second base, and
will be in the pitching rotation.
Funk is a returning first-
team all-league catcher, and
will start at that position again
this year. Ryan has also been
on the varsity squad since he
was a freshman, and will be
the foundation of the team this
season. He hits for power and
average and will drive in runs
for the Outlaws. Ryan will also
see some time on the mound.
Juniors Jake Larson, Jona-
than Bertagna, Hayden Par-
sons, Ryan Cook, and Will
Werts all made appearances
on the varsity squad last year,
but will start for the Outlaws
this year.
Larson will play in the out-
field, and will see a lot of time
in centerfield due to his speed.
Hodges noted that Jake is a
smart player, understands the
game, and will bring quick-
ness and speed on the base
pass.
Bertagna is a versatile
player and will see time at
first base, outfield, and also
as pitcher. Parsons will play
at second base and also have a
spot role as pitcher. Hayden is
a very good bunter and fielder,
and has very sure hands. Werts
will see time in the outfield.
Cook will play third base,
outfield, and also pitch.
Hodges said, “Ryan has
proven he’s a good contact
hitter. He had some key hits
for us last year, and coming up
from JV to varsity shouldn’t
be a hard jump for him.”
Sophomore Zach Morgan
returns as a first-team all-
leaguer and a first-team all-
state pitcher. Zach was a pow-
erful pitcher for the Outlaws
as a freshman and will start at
that position again this year.
He can pitch to specific loca-
tions, and he’s developed his
off-speed pitch, which really
throws off the batters.
“We’re looking for Zach to
build on his experience he got
as a freshman,” said Hodges.
“It was exciting to see his con-
fidence grow as the year went
along, and it was because of
the success he was having.”
It was exciting to see
his confidence grow as
the year went along, and
it was because of the
success he was having.
— steve hodges
Four sophomores will also
join the varsity squad: T.J.
Lawrence, Taylor Scholl, Jake
Stevens and Christopher Luz.
Lawrence will help the
Outlaws with the catching
duties, and will possibly see
time in the outfield. Hodges
noted that T.J. will gain valu-
able experience as he trains
and works with Funk, and
looks for him to continue to
improve throughout the year.
Scholl will see time in the
outfield, at pitcher, and pos-
sibly first base. Stevens will
see time in the outfield. Jake
Starts Friday
Fri., March 25 – Thurs., March 31
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Dinner, April 8
Mar. 23 / Wed. / 8 PM
Hot Buttered Rum
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April 2 / Sat. / 8 PM
Fri-Sat 1:00, 4:15, 7:30
Sun 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Mon-Thurs 3:30, 6:30
My Big Fat Greek
Wedding 2 (PG-13)
Poor Man’s Whiskey
Fri-Sat 2:45, 5:15, 7:45
Sun 2:00, 4:15, 6:30
Mon-Thurs 4:00, 6:15
April 30 / Sat. / 8 PM
Miracles From
Heaven (PG)
Bringing the energy and
electric intensity of Pink Floyd
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to an intimate theater setting.
Fri-Sat 2:00, 4:30, 7:00
Sun 1:30, 3:45, 6:15
Mon-Thurs 3:45, 6:00
May 17 / Tues. / 7 PM
Zootopia (PG)
Fusion of bluegrass/old-time,
Southern rock, and old-school
jam in a high-energy live show
Pigs on The Wing
Sean Watkins
with special guest
Coyote Willow
Singer, songwriter and multi-
instrumentalist Sean Watkins
(Nickel Creek) bolsters
an acoustic lineup with
a rock rhythm section.
PUB OPENS ONE HOUR
PRIOR TO SHOWS
Breakfast & Lunch
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BelfryEvents.com
541.549.2699
541-815-9122
403 E. Hoo. Ave.
Batman vs.
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Fri-Sat 1:45, 4:00, 6:30
Sun 1:30, 3:45, 6:00
Mon-Thurs 3:45, 6:00
Movie times and titles are
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is one of the fastest players on
the team, and will bring his
quickness to the game.
“Jake shows a lot of prom-
ise and has a lot of tools,” said
Hodges. “When those tools
get refined we’ll see great
improvement.”
Luz will play middle
infield, and see time at both
shortstop and second base.
“Christopher brings quick-
ness, a good arm, and is a good
contact hitter,” stated Hodges.
“He loves the game, has good
baseball instincts, and I think
this year will be a break-out
year for him.”
Hodges is excited to have
several left-handed hitters;
Gannon, Bertagna, and Werts.
“Left-handed hitters have a
big advantage,” said Hodges.
“Most pitches come from the
right side, so the left-handed
hitters see the ball better, and
the curve ball comes into their
swing, rather than away.”
“We have a lot of guys who
are going to have to fulfill the
role as pitcher, since a lot of
guys that pitched for us either
graduated or moved away,”
added Hodges.
We have a lot of guys who
are going to have to fulfill
the role as pitcher, since
a lot of guys that pitched
for us either graduated
or moved away.
— steve hodges
The Outlaws’ first appear-
ance this year was in Scotts-
dale, Arizona, at the Chandler
Prep Tournament, which was
held March 17-19.
Entertainment/Arts/Events
Wed.~Mar. 23
The Belfry Live Music with
Hot Buttered Rum & Front
Country 8 to 11:30 p.m. $16
online at bendticket.com or
$20 at the door. For more info
go to belfryevents.com.
Thursday~Mar. 24
Sisters Fire Hall Sisters Trails
Alliance Speaker Series
7 p.m. (doors open 6 p.m.)
STA presents Marc Thalacker,
manager of the Three Sisters
Irrigation District. Free to the
public, with refreshments. For
more information call 541-719-
8822 or go to sisterstrails.org.
Friday~Mar. 25
Cork Cellars Live Music
with Jim Cornelius & Mike
Biggers 7 to 9 p.m. No cover!
For additional information call
541-549-2675 or go online to
corkcellars.com.
Downtown Sisters 4th
Friday Art Stroll 4 to 7 p.m.
Many Sisters galleries and
shops have extended hours
for the stroll, some with live
entertainment & refreshments!
Black Butte Ranch Doggie
Dash Fun Run/Walk 10 a.m.
registration, 11 a.m. event. at
the Lakeside Activities Center.
~2 miles. $5 entry goes to
Three Rivers Humane Society.
Followed by a Doggie Talent
Show! Register online at
blackbutteranch.com.
Sunday~Mar. 27
Creekside Park Annual
Easter Egg Hunt 12:40 p.m.
for age group divisions (for
ages infant to 11). The hunt
starts at 1 p.m. Presented by
the Sisters-Camp Sherman &
Cloverdale fi re departments.
Limited parking; arrive early!
For info call 541-549-0771.
Black Butte Ranch Annual
Easter Egg Hunt 11 a.m.
At the Sports Field. With
the Easter Bunny! For more
information call 541-595-1252.
Friday~April 1
Hardtails Bar & Grill Live
Music with Tommy Hogan
9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The
guitarist extraordinaire will
be performing for the big 5th
anniversary party! Never a
cover! Info: 541-549-6114 or
Saturday~Mar. 26 go to hardtailsoregon.com.
Cork Cellars Live Music
Paulina Springs Books
with Doc Ryan 7 to 9 p.m.
Author Reading &
No cover! For additional
Slideshow with Ellen Bishop information call 541-549-2675
6 p.m. Ellen shares “Living
or go to corkcellars.com.
with Thunder: Exploring the
Geologic Past, Present, and
Saturday~April 2
Future of the Pacifi c Northwest
The Belfry Live Music with
Landscape.” Refreshments
Poor Man’s Whiskey 8 to
served. $5 admission
11:30 p.m. Bluegrass/old-time
refunded upon purchase of
Southern rock! $17 online at
the featured book. 541-549-
bendticket.com or $20 at the
0866 or paulinasprings.com.
door. Info: belfryevents.com.
Caldera Arts Center
Hardtails Bar & Grill Live
Open Studio at Blue Lake
1 to 3 p.m. Free to the public. Music with The Weekenders
Meet the Artists in Residence! 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. for the big
5th anniversary party, with
For additional information go
specials starting at 11 a.m.!
online to calderaarts.org or
Never a cover! 541-549-6114
call 541-595-09
541-595-0956.
or go to hardtailsoregon.com.
Deadline to submit items is
5 p.m. Fridays. Email
teresa@nuggetnews.com