The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019, October 11, 2000, Page 7, Image 7

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    Sports
ThE CI ac I camas P rìnt
________. 7
V/EÓNEsdAy, OcTobER 11, 2000
Cougars lose to improved Japanese team
ALLAN COYLE
Contributing Writer
The Cougars were swept away
by a skilled team of Japanese com­
munity college all-stars in a double
header held in late September.
Every year Japanese community
colleges choose an all-star base­
ball team from Japan and Okinawa.
The team travels to the United
States to test their mettle against
American teams. A difference in
school scheduling brings the Japa­
nese to the states at the end of their
season while the teams from the
states are just beginning school.
Every third year the team travels
I to Oregon.
This year the team from Japan is
tough. In the past, American size,
speed and power conquered the
I Japanese. But last month, a much-
improved squad visited Oregon,
and won both ends of the double­
header against the Cougars. The
Japanese team won the first game
4-1 and finished the sweep with a
score of 6-2 in game two. Official
scoring is not kept due to North­
west Athletic Association of Com­ reach. Trying to start a rally in the
munity Colleges rules.
late innings, freshman hopeful
“It is always a pleasure to host Tyler Hull drove a single to the
the Japanese team,” Robinson right-center gap. While making the
said. “This year they took it to us. turn to second base, Hull rolled and
Two years ago we beat them twice broke his ankle on first base. Hull
with less of a team than we have has shown he has the capability to
now. That just goes to show you play well at this level and was a
how much they have improved.”
contender to be the Cougar’s start­
Game one starting pitcher, ing center fielder. With rehabilita­
Clackamas sophomore George tion and time, Hull should be back
Sohler, pitched five scoreless in­ for winter practice.
nings, giving up only one hit.
“We really only had one prac­
Sohler gave way to freshman pitch­ tice before we played a tough Japa­
ers trying to make the Cougar nese team,” Robinson stated. “I am
squad. Walks and hits plagued the proud of our guys for what they
Cougars in the final two innings, accomplished and the class they
plating four Japanese runners. showed doing it.”
Japanese pitchers surrendered
Coach Robinson added that the
only two hits.
combination of improved pitching
Game two saw more of the same by the Japanese team and many of
from Cougar pitching. Sophomore the Cougar players hitting with
pitcher Aaron Shanks started and wood bats for the first time proved
gave up a couple of runs. Shanks too much for Cougar hitters.
pitched well, but an error and timely
Friendship is always a big part
hitting by the Japanese put them of this international duel between
ahead for good. Late in the game, the Cougars and the Japanese ball
with the Japanese up 3-2, a Japa­ clubs. Gifts are always exchanged
nese pinch-hitter slugged a three- between players, coaches and dig­
run double to put the game out of nitaries. This year saw players and
A Japaneses player is held in check by the Clackamas first
baseman "Jojo" Ordonecez
coaches exchanging team gear
(hats, bats and helmets) right on
the field after the doubleheader.
The Japanese have close ties with
the coaching staff here at
Clackamas. Although the Japanese
played Linn-Benton Community
College and Concordia University
during their four day schedule,
they chose to stay in Clackamas
during the evening hours with the
Cougar coaching staff. It has also
become customary that the
coaches from both teams eat din­
ner at Gustav’s and share stories,
baseball philosophy and great
times. During years that the Japa­
nese travel to other states to play,
the dignitaries and coaches always
make a stop in Oregon City just to
visit the staff at Clackamas.
I am Cougar, hear me roar! Grrrr...
ALLAN COYLE
Contributing Writer
Cougars practice fora hard Southern Region Division.
Clackamas was undefeated in
league play until losing to
Chemeketa last week.
The »Cougars are currently in
third place for the Southern Re­
gion, and are well on their way to
competing in the Northwest Ath­
letic Association of Community
Colleges (NWAACC) Champion­
ships. With a league record of five
wins and three losses, the Cougars
are just one loss behind rival
Chemeketa. Clackamas has a
record of 12 wins and nine losses
overall.
The Cougars lost to Chemeketa
Wednesday in five games, with
scores of 12-15,15-5,15-5,8-15 and
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CORPORATION
15-13 a week ago. Friday brought
the Cougars to Coos Bay to play
against Soutwestem CC in which
the Cougars lost in five with scores
of 4-15,15-10,15-17,15-10and 15-
10. Saturday’s game brought no
more happiness as the Cougars
were swept by Umpqua CC 15-5,
15-6 and 15-10.
The Cougars next game is the
Columbia Basin Crossover tourna­
ment, this weekend in Pasco, WA.
Woods said the success of the
Cougars will be greatly helped
by the leadership of the team’s cap­
tains, sophomores Christina
Merrill, Kalei Crisafi and Shelly
Brannon.
Help will also come from star play­
ers Eryn Wagner and Lisa Free, who
have both been named Defensive
Player of the Week, with Wagner
also receiving the Offensive Player
of the Week in the first week of play.
Also returning is sophomore
Dasha Wakefield. The leadership
that comes from strong sopho­
mores is crucial in a two-year pro­
gram. They have been around the
league and know what to expect.
It is up to them to bring themselves
and the freshmen up to champion­
ship quality. New to the Northwest
Athletic Association of Commu­
nity Colleges (NWAACC) volley­
ball this year are freshmen Haley
Howe, Julie Dancer, Meghan
Boeckman, Sabrina Arrayan, Amy
Klusmann, Sarah Entenman and
Misty Bernhardt.
The Cougar volleyball team has
enjoyed much success in the past
five years. Four of the last five
years the Cougars captured the
Southern Region title. Each of the
last five years the Cougars ap­
peared and placed in the NWAACC
Tournament. In 1996, the team won
the NWAACC Tournament.
Woods is in her twentieth year
as head volleyball coach. She has
earned much respect from her
peers. With her winning program,
the coach is often invited to speak
throughout the northwest on
motivation and team unity. It
is her motivation and team
skills that teach the players to
believe in each other and their
program.
Head Assistant Coach Casie
Ireland is a former player for
Woods. Ireland continued her
playing career at Southern Or­
egon University while earning
her bachelor’ degree in Com­
puter Information Systems.
She is in her third year as as­
sistant coach and returned to
be a part of the Cougar tradi­
tion.
Curtis Arrayan is an assis­
tant who attended Clackamas in
1992-94 and has also returned
to be a part of this outstanding
program.
Cougar players put in “three-
a-day” practices for a full
month before fall term began.
Off the court, the Cougars have
spent time doing beach clean­
ups, visiting rest homes, and
helping with various functions
around school.
Meet Olympic Silver
Medalist Matt Lindland
Thursday Oct. 26,12-1 in
the Skylight Dining Room