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About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2009)
11 Sports JÊ009 Baseball Team aims for third consecutive league title M organ J oscelyn Staff Reporter After winning the Three Rivers League title for the second year in a row, the Varsity Baseball Team is hoping to come out on top again for a third straight year. With only three players returning with Varsity experience, the young team is working harder then ever to prepare. "As a coaching staff we have really been challenging P lif lii l l i t l :J ; t ï - ' ■ : our guys to compete every pitch. So far for the past six games they have been doing a great job," Mike Lord, head coach, said. "We are looking forward to competing in the toughest league in the state. No one team has won three straight league titles since the 1980s." The team began its preseason against three of the top teams in. the state which will give them an idea of how they match up against the competition. "We work well together on and off the field. Our strong defense, complimented with good pitching, is what is going to win us games," Ryan Barnes, senior shortstop, said. The team is stacked with talent that works hard during the off-season. According to Lord, Barnes is one of the top players in the state, and earlier in the year signed with Oregon State University. Lord thinks that Elliott Smith, senior left-handed pitcher, will also play a huge role this season on the mound. The pitching roster is very deep and includes Riley Wilkerson and Warner Edwards, sophmores, Tyler Weber, junior, and Michael Burke, Austin Bailey, seniors. The team played its first game March 16 against Westview at home. Overall, they played fairly well and managed to come out with a 5-3 win. Smith threw four innings, striking out five batters. Spencer Dube, senior, hit a clutch three run double in the third inning to bring the win home for the Lions. The Lions were once again victorious on April 1, beating last year's State champion Cavaliers. They won 4-2 over Clackamas. "Our senior leadership is one of our strengths. We like to laugh and have fun, keeping a light-hearted atmosphere. It really opens things up for the underclassmen," Mitch Halverson, senior outfielder, said. "(Our goal is) to win league title for the third year in a row!" The team plays its next home game at 5 p.m. against Lake Oswego today and take them on again tomorrow at Lake Oswego at 5 p.m. Debs make progress, capture third at State to place third, the highest Staff Reporter the team has placed in seven tyan Barnes, senior, leads off from second base during a non-league game against Westview. The Lions edged the Wildcats 5-3. Photo by Carly Halverson years. It has been a pleasantly surprising season for the "It was very surprising. Debs Dance Team. Almost The team didn't very high half of the team is composed hopes for the season. This was a very new and young of new members and, in what was supposed to be a team and everyone expected growing year for the team, it to be a building year," m J ennifer S itton and fall, so we are somewhat disadvantage when it comes have come together faster Rachel Tennis, senior captain Staff Reporter experienced." to speed, but they hope to than expected, finishing third said. According to LeVeque, make up for it with improved in State. The last time the Softball This season has been very Rhianna Russell, junior power on offense. They also Team made it to post season In their first competition, special for the seniors who play was 2003, when they lost pitcher, and McKenna Pyeatt, hope to get their four pitchers the Debs scored 66.7, placing have been on the Dance Team senior catcher, will be key for enough pitching time in to Southridge in the play-in them in fifth. On March 7, all four years. the team this year. In softball, games. round of playoffs. This year, "We really exceeded they dramatically improved "People will be playing a the pitcher and the catcher as long as their pitching is their score to a 79, which our expectations. We beat are two of the most important lot of different positions this strong the team should be year. I'm excited to see how good enough to win the Three components, so Russell and they will gel in those different Pyeatt have a lot riding on Rivers League, according to spots," Jasmine Mondor, their shoulders. Jamie LeVeque, coach. sophomore, said. "This year is the first real The season started off a bit The team has been chance our team has had at slow due to the early March working hard this offseason making playoffs. This year rain and snow. The girls were unable to participate in for Ashley Bruser and myself to contribute to the team's is very important to prove to hopeful success. They have outdoor practices for about been working on training ourselves and our families two and a half weeks, but individual skill development that years of playing every that didn't stop them from working on individual skills weekend through the spring, during workouts. The pitchers throw year round with private summer, and fall for club in the gym. coaches and some players The Debutantes Dance Team poses with its third place State trophy. The team played Aloha on sports, private lessons, and They exceeded their expectations during the season, placing higher practice with summer club March 18, beating the Warriors new gear every season has than they have in seven years. Photo courtesy of Dick Krippaehne been worth it," Pyeatt said. "It teams as well. 4-3. The following day, they was good enough to earn Clackamas, who had been the This year, the Lions is the Lions' chance to shine faced off against the Sunset participated in a Spring Break fourth place at the Parkrose first place team in past years. and with the great coaching Apollos, who, according to High School competition. It has been a very sucessful LeVeque, are possibly the best staff, impressive players and tournament in Bend where in the Metro League and lost dedication to the program, we they played against mostly 5A They were also dangerously season overall," Jessie close to beating the always Hedman, senior captain said. schools including Bend and 3-5. Regardless of the team's now have the ability to beat Just three years ago, it was Crook County. They also faced dominant Clackamas, out the other competitors!" current record, it will face finishing only a point and a team that barely avoided off against Culver, Sheldon While the team's various challenges this year, a half short. Overall, it was last place at State. Now they and Redmond during the including fielding a youthful enthusiasm is high, they a very good season for the are among the top three in tournament. They finished do have some things to be team. team. They improved their the state. The future looks with two wins and three worried about. "I'd consider our team scores in every competition very bright for this young losses for the tournament. "This team has a lack young with two seniors, three team. The team's next home game coming into State. of depth at certain key juniors, six sophomores and At State they made an "They will definitely do will be on April 15 against positions. We cannot afford freshmen," LeVeque excellent showing, scoring well and improve in the the Milwaukie Mustangs at v said. "However, most (of the any injuries," LeVeque said. 80.5. This was good enough future," Hedman said. Willamette Park. players) play ball in summer The team also has a slight _____________ Softball Team hopes to advance to playoffs for first time in six years a G unnar W olfe ________
