The Clackamas print., May 21, 2014, Page 7, Image 7

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WEDNESDAY, MÀY 21,2014 4
SOFTBALL: Clackamas falls short
in NWAACC championship game
continued from PAGE 1
The fourth inning was huge for M t
Hood. Unfazed by Clackamas’ quick
start, M t H ood answered back on
defense with their own three straight
outs. Then it was their offense’s turn
to answer. A n error and a single put
runners on first and second base, and
a hom erun erased Clackamas’ lead
and p u t M t H ood up 3-2. Clackamas
got the next two batters out before
M t H ood could add to the lead but
hom erun proved to be too m uch to
overcome for Clackamas.
Clackamas was unable to do any­
thing offensively in the fifth inning,
and M t H ood stretched their lead to
4-2 after an RBI single. Coach Jessica
Buel decided to switch pitchers, replac­
ing Alyson Boytz w ith Morrison,
w ho already pitched earlier that day.
M orrison didn’t appear sore o r tired
as she shut out M t H ood in the sixth.
Clackamas didn’t score either, so it
cam e dow n to the seventh inning.
The Clackamas rally caps were on
and outfielder Rachel Ray got on base
to start the inning. Infielder Rashaun
Sells flew o ut to center field for the
first out and Vasquez came up next.
Vasquez hit a short pop-up that was
caught for out num ber two but M t
H ood also beat Ray back to first to
complete the double play and win
the game.
Clackamas finished second place
overall after a great season, b ut it was
clear the team was upset with the finish
and wanted more. From the coaching
staff to the players, there were a lot of
emotions and tears.
“It's a rough way to go out, but we
had a very good season,” outfielder
Samantha Owirka said. “I’m justreally
happy to have the group o f girls we
did.”
Assistant coach Dustin Bare admit­
ted it “hurt”, but was optimistic about
next season.
Players cried and hugged family
and teammates, but they were also able
to laugh and joke around, afterward.
They even attem pted a team dogpile.
After the initial sting wore off, the team
looked back and appreciated what they
accomplished on the field and off.
“All the team work and just coming
together as one was probably the best
thing” M orrison said. “We worked
together m ore this year and we got
things done.”
Buel agreed with that sentiment
and added, “it’s a great group of girls.
They’re determined, they work hard
every day, they went for their goals,
they surpassed a lot o f them.”
Owirka, a sophomore, took the
loss particularly hard but reflected on
her career w ith great adm iration and
pride. “W hen I came to Clackamas I
“It just wasn’t our d ay’ Buel said.
was told once you’re a C o u g you’re
“We could’ve maybe executed a little
better, but we played a great game,
we fought hard and we d id what we
needed to do.” .
always a Coug”’ she said. “I honestly
didn’tk n o w if itdbe true, but it really is.
You never stop being a Coug’. It’s great”
Pitcher A ly so n B o y tz w ir ic f s ^ p f o r a p i tc h a g a in s t T reasu re Valley d u rin g C la c k a m a s ' 11-1 -win.,
N W A A C C C h a m p io n s h ip T o u r n a m e n t
R ec a p
D ay - O p p o n e n t - R es u lt - S c o r e
F r iday - E v e r e t t - W - 6-2
F r iday - T r e a su r e V a lle y - W -11 -1
S a tu r d a y - W e n a t c h e e V a lle y - W - 3-2
S a tu r d a y - M t . H ood - L -1-2
M o n d a y - T r ea su r e V a lle y - w - 8-3
M o n d a y - M t . H o od - L - 2-4
Cougars Catcher Kandace Furlong attempts to throw a runner out.
Cougars softball team huddles up pre-game.
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