Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2007)
r aerasse, Softball, Track, and Tennis Baseball clinches league with six straight wins ■ J on H elmkamp co-Sports Editor With six consecutive wins, the Varsity Baseball Team clinched the Three Rivers League title with a 14-5 drubbing of Putnam, the one team West Linn had failed to beat this season. Nathan Gonzalez, senior, came up huge with a grand slam and Ryan Barnes, sophomore, and Mitchell Bailey, senior, each had a home run. Following a victory over Lakeridge 12-1 on April 20, the Lions were looking at a week that would prove to be telling, playing Putnam on April 23, Lake Oswego on April 25, and Clackamas on April 27. Going into that week, Mike Lord, head coach, stressed how important those three games would be. "This next week is like the playoffs. If you guys want to prove that you deserve to get to State, you have to prove yourselves with these three games," Lord said to the team after the Lakeridge game. The team squared off with tnam, losing 5-3. Against Lake Oswego they lost 10-6, and suffered another setback against Clackamas with a 6-5 loss. In their match up with Putnam, four of Putnam's five runs were unearned. Both teams had eight hits, but it was poor defense that led to a Lion loss. Against Lake Oswego, they left eight guys on base and went only five for 14 with runners in scoring position. The opportunities were there, but they couldn't take advantage of them. Against Clackamas, they gave up two unearned runs and again left eight guys on base. "It wasn't like we played horribly that week. They just didn't go our way," Brian Bailey, assistant coach, said. After three games that dampened the spirits of West Linn baseball enthusiasts, the Lions came back and won their next four games, two of « which were rematches against teams that beat them in their three consecutive losses. On April 30, the Lions Girls' Rugby Team wins State title for fourth straight season ■ K atie C arnahan Staff Reporter colleges offer scholarships for rugby players, one team member, Audrey Jones, a student from Lake Oswego High School, was selected as an alternate for the USA Eagles, a U-19 team which After winning its first State championship in 2004, the Girls' Varsity Rugby Team has been nearly undefeated taking home many titles. At the National Invitational Tournament held in Milwaukee, Wise, on May 19 and 20, the team won every game taking home ninth place. On April 28, the team added a fourth consecutive State Championship after defeating a Canby team and on May 5, Zchone Jones, sophomore, outruns the Canby the girls played at defense in the State championship game. Pacific NW Regionals The Lions defended their State title for the and placed third. fourth consecutive time, 33-10. "It w as exciting, Photo submitted by Megan Hackney but overall I think we gives girls a chance to continue their success in the just did okay," Kylie Rogers, World Cup Competition. junior, said. Overall, Rogers and Every day, at Athey Hackney added that the Creek Middle School, the game is a lot of fun and that teams practice passing they hope next season will go drills, tackling, scrums and even better. rocking. "(In rugby), 'rocking' is "Last year, there were when you tackle someone, no signs, and really no and instead of stopping the acknowledgments of the game, you just push the team. It was nice to see the other player and keep going," 'Come to Girls Rugby' and Megan Hackney, sophomore, the 'Congratgulations' signs hanging in the halls," Rogers Jjaid. * Although no Oregon said. faced off against Lakeridge, crushing them 18-2. Two days later, they hosted Clackamas, redeeming themselves with a 6-0 shutout. On May 4, despite having to pack the team and all its gear into four trucks to get to the game, the Lions beat Lake Oswego, 7-3. They beat Oregon City 5-1 on May 7 with Kyle Kraus stealing the show, pitching a complete game in only 69 pitches. After a week of success, the Lions once again perched atop the league, one Nathan Gonzalez, senior, takes his lead from second base against Putnam on May 14. The Lions went on to win 14-5, earning the league title. game ahead of Lake Photo by Jon Helmkamp Oswego. "They're a really talented knowing I should be able to The team hopes team. Next year (on Varsity) be back so I can contribute in to see the return of Alex they should be contending for playoffs," Edwards said. Edwards, senior, first a State title," Edwards said. Next year, the team will baseman, who broke his wrist Colby Martzall, senior, return most of the Varsity in a collision with a base leads the Lions' offensive players, including the entire runner at first base earlier in attack with a batting average pitching staff and Barnes, the season. He has missed of .500 and 26 RBI's, along who is currently batting .468 almost the entire season, but with Bailey who's batting with 22 runs batted in. He's has been at every practice .457 and Justin Monahan, the Varsity lead-off hitter as and every game and has a junior, who's batting .411. a sophomore, stepping into a positive attitude about the leadership role. Lord will also Bailey, catcher, and Martzall, season. be bringing up members from shortstop, along with being "It helps watching the the JV team that has lost only huge offensive threats, are the team play and not getting core of the defense as well. one game. to participate, but it helps Two girls nam ed to Elite Team; Lions m akes case fo r State j l ZAK L a STER________________ co-Sports Editor The Oregon Elite Travel Team is a group of 18 girls chosen from a group of 86 Varsity lacrosse players. These 18 girls form a team that represents the state in a series of games. They play two tournaments during the summer in Vail, Colo, and one tournament on the east coast in early October. The team will have a few practices but the majority of the preparation for the tournaments will be on their own time. Two girls from West Linn, Solveig Lee and Erika Busch juniors were deemed qualified enough to make the Oregon Elite Travel Team. For both Busch and Lee, being on the team is something that they are really excited about. "We were able to exhibit skills at a level high enough to be placed on the Oregon Elite Travel Team. It is an honor for me," Lee said. "I think to be a part of the Oregon Elite Travel Team is really cool. It's a big opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to it," Busch said. Their placement on the team has capped off what has been a remarkable season for the team which won 14 of its 17 games. One of the top teams in the state, the Oregon City Pioneers, first in league and undefeated, gave the Lions the Shannon Edwards, junior, picks up a loose ball most problems. against Lakeridge on May 8. The Lions won the Photo by Sarah Chicoine They lost twice to game 12-3. them, each time at the Tualatin Recreation by one only point. Center began for the Lions "We have done much better on May 18 with a 11-7 than anyone could have victory over Roseburg. They expected. Even before try-outs advanced to the semi-finals nobody had predicted the against St. Mary's on May kind of success we've had this 22. The winner of that game season," Lee said would play the winner of the The goal for the Lions is Oregon City/Lincoln game a State championship. This for the State championship. is very realistic based on the Results of these games were way the girls have played not available by press time. against their competition. "This year, has been Whether or not they win a one of my favorite years of State championship, they will playing lacrosse. We are a all remain friends for a long very bonded group and we time, according to Lee. do a good job at helping each The State tournament held other," Lee said.
