Keizertimes., April 30, 2021, Page 25, Image 25

APRIL 30, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A25
Celts continue early-season dominance
SPORTS
Heather Ebner crosses the plate after hitting a solo homer in the top of the third inning in McNary's 18-0 win over North Salem.
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
The McNary softball team has been
used to winning in convincing fashion
this season.
That theme continued in their game
against North Salem on Monday, April
26.
Hannah Ebner threw a two-hitter in
the circle while her sister Heather went
3-for-4 at the dish with a home run and
three RBIs as the Celtics defeated the
Vikings 18-0 in four innings.
“This team meshes really well
together,” Hannah Ebner said.
In their first five games McNary has
outscored their opponents 62-1
“I am loving how we are playing,”
McNary head coach Kevin Wise said.
“We are having a lot of fun, but these
girls also do a good job of pushing each
other.”
The Celtics jumped out to a large
lead in the top of the first after putting
up a five-spot. Abbi Covalt started the
scoring with an RBI-single to left field,
then later came home on a wild pitch.
After an RBI-groundout by Kaylee
Schwab, Shaylee Cluster roped an RBI-
triple down the right field line.
With Hannah Ebner on the bump,
McNary put together a defensive clinic,
starting with a tremendous defensive
play from Kate Ronning at shortstop
in the bottom of the first. After a hard
ground ball was hit in the hole towards
her
right,
Ronning laid out
for an unbeliev-
able backhanded
stop before fir-
ing a seed over
the first in time
for the out.
“It is inde-
scribable
to
know that if I
miss a single
spot that I have
a great defense
to back me up
no matter what.
It makes pitch-
ing all the more
McNary pitcher
easier,” Hannah
Ebner said.
It is indescribable to
know that if I miss a
single spot that I have
a great defense to back
me up no matter what.
It makes pitching all the
more easier.
— HANNAH EBNER
Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes
Junior pitcher Hannah Ebner threw four scoreless innings and gave up just two hits for the
Celtics.
Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes
“The defense is making plays all over
the place and I think that transfers over
to when they are hitting,” Wise added.
After not being able to score in the
second inning, Heather Ebner drove the
first pitch of the third inning over the
right field wall for her second homer of
the season.
“I just got up there ready to swing,”
Ebner said. “I was looking for the first
pitch.”
With a 6-0 lead after three frames,
the Celtics exploded for 12 runs in the
top of the fourth.
Ronning and Heather Ebner each
had RBI-singles. Then, a two-run dou-
ble by Madison Morse made the score
11-0.
Hannah Ebner kept the rally going
with a RBI-hit, followed by back-to-back
RBI doubles from Covalt and Lacey
Vasas.
“We all did really well at the plate,”
Hannah Ebner said.
While he typically likes playing in
games that are more competitive, Wise
was glad that he got the opportunity to
empty his bench and make sure each
player got a chance to compete.
“They all love each other and they
don't care if they get subbed out,” Wise
said. “They have been working as hard
as anyone else, and we want to get them
opportunities to get in and get comfort-
able so that next year, when we lose five
seniors, they will be ready to go.”