Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 12, 1989)
SPORTS THE CLACKAMAS PRINT April 12,1989 Page 7 Johnson's pitching, hitting key to Cougars success by Mark A. Borrelli Sports Editor Hard work,desire, and the love of competition are the three things that sophomore pitching sensa tion Yvonne Johnson has used to make herself an outstanding all- around softball player. Johnson, a graduate of Canby High School in 1987, came to Clackamas last year and made an immediate impression. As a fresh man, Yvonne was nothing short of incredible. Although her rec ord of 10 wins and eight losses would not seem to be impressive, every time she stepped on the mound she was a terror to oppo nents. Despite her average record of 10-8, she amassed a very nice earned run average of 1.12; She was chosen 1st team all league pitcher, and first team all-league DH. It didn’t stop there for the freshman phenomenon, as she was chosen MVP of the league. Although Johnson handled the transition from high school pitching to college pitching very easily, for the normal person the transition would be very difficult. “The difference between pitch ing in high school, and college are very different. In high school you pitch the windmill, but in college you use a modified pitch. It’s a big change, but all of us have come along real well,” said Johnson. To go along with her light ning quick fast ball, Johnson also carries a quick bat up to the plate. Last year she was her team’s best hitter, batting as the designated hitter. • Johnson got herverysuccess- ful softball career started thanks to the urging of a friend. “I was nine years old, and one of my friends persuaded me to give it a try, I did, and I really liked it,” said Johnson. Johnson, while at Canby High School, was very active in sports. She played four years of volley ball, three years of softball, and two years of basketball. “I love the competition. It makes me feel good to know that I can help my team. I want to do anything I can to help my team win,” said Johnson. Last year the Cougars finished tied for second in league play, and finished fourth in the NWAACC tournament. Johnson is hoping that this year’s team will fare bet ter than last year’s team did. “Our team goals are to make the playoffs. I think we can if we do the best that we can as a team,’ said Johnson. One disadvantage that Yvonne and her teammates face is that they are the only community col lege team in Oregon. This means a lot of road trips to Washington. “In a way the travel is a disadvan tage, bu ♦ they are always fun,” said Johnson. When Yvonne is not having fun on a road trip, she likes to water ski, read, or just be with friends. She is undecided on her major at this time, but she is lean ing towards a business program. She hopes to transfer to Oregon State, or a business school next year, where she wants to keep playing softball. “Ilove the competition. The feeling of being part of a team, working together to win. Know ing that if you work hard enough that you can go all the way,” said Johnson. For now, Yvonne,will con centrate on leading the Cougars into the playoffs. And with her incredible athletic talents, and her winning attitude there’s no telling how far she can help her team go. Baseball future bright for Prall by S tad Beard StaffWriter If Jay Prall’s first outing on the mound is any indication of things to come then the Cougars can expect a lot from their num ber one starter. In a season that has been delayed due to numerous rainouts, Prall has only had one start but it ' " ' 1 showed strong potential. In five innings ofwork he threw a two hit shutout. This is Prall’s second year with Clackamas. Last year he posted a five and three record. “I want to improve on last year’s record. I don’t want to lose a game,” explained Prall. His coach Paul Roeder feels . ........................................... Photo by Jillian Porter Pitcher Jay Prall hopes to use his exceptional fastball to help the Cougars land their first ever playoff berth. Prall’s strongest pitches are his change up and slider. “He throws hard. If he stays at his level of improvement he will get better with more time on the mound,” states Roeder. Prall came to Clackamas from McNary High School where he partidpated in soccer and basket ball besides baseball. Even though injured during his senior season of baseball he still secured a schol arship to play at Clackamas. “He is a asset to CCC. Prall holds down the opposition. He is going to do a very capable job for us,” expressed Roeder. Teammates also share in that sentiment. “Prall is a big asset to our team. Our team has confidence that Prall can get the job done,” stated shortstop Doug Manley. With a year of experience behind him Prall also helps in a leadership role for the other pitch ers. “Prall provides a leadership to the other pitchers by example. He is a very good team player,” explained Roeder. Prall is anxious for the good weather to return so the team can improve on their zero and four record. “Everyone wants to start play ing. We need to do some improv ing but we need to get outside so we can start doing it,"stated Prall As his last season at Clacka mas comes to a end Prall wants baseball to be in his future. “If I had my choice I want to get drafted by the New York Mets,” expressed Prall. Sophomore sensation Yvonne Johnson Is already in mid-season form. She is 4-0 in her first four games. Road not kind to Clackamas... Cougars off to slow start by Mark A Bonelli Sports Editor Warm weather was a welcome sight to the Clackamas Cougars baseball team, as they were finally able to get their season underway. The first stop for Clackamas was at Mt Hood Thursday. Clacka mas jumped out on top early, scoring a run in the first inning. Doug Manley led off with a single and stole second. Then, after two outs, Dino Fiarito delivered a clutch base hit to plate Manley and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. That lead looked safe, as Cougar ace Jay Prall set Saint batters down in order in the first two innings. But Prall ran into control problems in the third inning. After getting two quick outs, Prall gave up a single to Shane Gilbert Steffen Lind followed with a basé rap to left to chase Gilbert to third on a error by Rich Para day. With runners at firsthand second, Prall walked Éric Kinne to load the bases» Then Tod Kruse walked to force home Gilbert and tie the game. Prall walked Tim O’leary, to force home another run, then, with the bases loaded Jason Schuler doubled to the gap in center field to clear the bases, and give Mt. Hood a 5-1 lead. - Mt. Hood picked up three more runs in the fourth inning off of Prall to build a commanding 8- 1 lead. Clackamas tried to rally, as they scored three runs in the fifth, two coming off a monster home run to straight away center field by Kevin Kvarstrom. But it was too little to late, as the Saints held on to win the game 10-6. The next stop for Clackamas was at Chemeketa Friday. Things got off to a shaky start for the Cougars, and they never able to recover. Craig Andyke started the game for the Cougars, and was ruffed up early. Andyke faced seven Chief batters, and gave up three hits, and three walks. Andyke allowed three runs before being pulled with just one out in the first inning. Chemeketa sent ten men to the plate, and scored six, to put the Cougars in an early 6-0 hole that Clackamas would never be able to Climb out of. Chemeketa pitch ers kept the Cougar bats silent all day, as Clackamas could only muster 6 hits, and three runs in route to their second straight league loss 8-3. The road weary Cougars hit the road to Eugene to face Lane, still in search of their first win of the season. Mike Houck was the starting pitcher for Clackamas, and he did something that no other Cougar has been able to do consistently. He got the ball over the plate. Houck pitched a brilliant game, giving up three hits, and no runs as he went the distance to give Clackamas its first win of the sea son 3-0. Rich Paraday and Scott Kenagy paced the Cougar hitting attack, as Kenagy went 2-3, and Paraday went 2-4. The Cougars, 1-2 in league and 1-6 overall will be back in action Thursday with a non-league game at George Fox. Clackamas will resume league play Saturday traveling to Linn-Benton to Close out the first half of the season.