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
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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
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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.