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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (March 22, 2017)
Page 6 SOFTBALL East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald 5A COLUMBIA RIVER CONFERENCE 2016 Final Standings Projected Finish T he CRC has belonged to the Pendleton Buckaroos for each of the past five seasons and it doesn’t appear that things will change in 2017. The Buckaroos return six all-league players from one season ago, including Pitcher of the Year Lauren Richards and have some talented newcomers stepping in to fill some gaps. Hood River is expected to take a big step this season as it returns four all-league players, while Hermiston has a chance to make some noise with four all-league returners led by infielder Ellery Jones and pitcher Julissa Almaguer. The Dalles lost four all-league players to graduation, including ace pitcher Kathryn Bradford and are expected to take a step back in 2017. Wednesday, March 22, 2017 Pendleton Buckaroos Hood River Eagles Hermiston Bulldogs The Dalles Riverhawks (Rankings based on coach and media voes) Pendleton Buckaroos Returning all-league CRC Conf. Ovr. Pendleton 10-2 24-5 The Dalles 6-6 19-10 Hermiston 5-7 14-13 Hood River 3-9 10-15 Pendleton — Lauren Richards, jr.; Kalan McGlothan, jr.; Maddie Parker, sr.; Rylee Gentner, jr.; Pay- ton Hergert, sr.; Tatum Fell, sr. Hermiston — Ellery Jones, sr.; Julissa Almaguer, jr.; Sydney Ste- fani, soph.; Amanda Barron, jr. Hood River — Hannah McNer- ney, jr.; Zoe Munn, jr.; Haylee Baker, soph.; Janessa Castenada. The Dalles — Kailin Hoylman, sr.; Sierra Watson, sr.; Kathryn Brad- ford, jr.; Emma Weir, jr. Hermiston Bulldogs The Buckaroos have made it to at least the state semifinals for the last three seasons and will have a shot to go even further in 2017 as they return an ace in the circle and several key pieces of their batting order and defense. HEAD COACH: Tim Cary, 13th year ASSISTANT COACHES: Jeff Hamilton, Jim Newland, John Fowler, Josh Grass, Kristan Garton, Randy Crawford RETURNING STARTERS: Madison Parker, sr., LF; Tatum Fell, sr., CF; Payton Hergert, sr., SS; Lauren Richards, jr., P/1B; Rylee Gentner, jr., 2B; Kalan McGlothan, jr., 3B; Kila Solomon, so., C OTHER RETURNERS: Alexi Brehaut, jr., P/1B; Kirah McGlothan, so., UT; Aspen Garton, so., IMPACT NEWCOMER: Elli Nirschl, so., UT SEASON GOALS: Continuing to understand the value of great work ethic, a great attitude, and the value of being a good teammate are the foundation for another successful season. CARY’S KEY TO THE SEASON: “The key to our season is a willingness to be unselfish and work together as a team. We expect to go out and compete with our best effort in every game. We feel that we are talented enough to win every game, but we also understand that it takes great work ethic, great attitude, and a willingness to be an unselfish teammate.” BIGGEST STRENGTHS: Experienced pitching and lots of returners in the field gives the Bucks a chance to be one of the better defensive teams in the state, but Cary said the team’s biggest strength is its desire to compete and win. In this 2016 file photo, Hermiston’s Ellery Jones awaits a throw as a Pendleton base runner approaches during a 2016 game. Jones will anchor Hermiston’s lineup in 2017 as one of two returning reg- ulars. Staff photo by Kathy Aney HEAD COACH: Kate Greenough, 2nd year ASSISTANT COACHES: Kristen Dunten, Sarah Rood. RETURNING STARTERS: INF Ellery Jones, sr.; OF Amanda Barron, jr.; P Julissa Almaguer, jr. OTHER RETURNERS: OF Sydney Stefani, soph. IMPACT NEWCOMERS: P Janelle Almaguer, fr.; INF Ashley Cameron; INF Kalei Smith; OF Daisy Maddox; OF Baylee Metcalf; C Bailee Noland. Staff photo by E.J. Harris Pendleton’s Lauren Richards throws during a 2016 game. Richards heads into her junior season as Pend- leton’s ace in the pitching circle. 2017 Schedule 2017 Schedule March 14 March 17 March 18 March 21 March 23 March 25 March 27-28 March 29 April 6 April 11 April 15 April 18 April 22 April 24 April 28 May 2 May 5 May 9 May 12 vs Hanford 4 p.m. vs Hillsboro 4 p.m. vs St. Helens Noon vs La Grande 4:30 p.m. vs Southridge (WA) 4 p.m. vs Walla Walla (WA) (2) Noon/1:30 p.m. at Putman Tourney TBA at Milwaukie Noon at La Grande 4 p.m. at Mac-Hi 6 p.m. vs The Dalles (2)* Noon/2 p.m. at The Dalles* 4 p.m. vs Hood River (2)* Noon/1:30 p.m. at Hood River* 4 p.m. at Hermiston (2)* 3/4:30 p.m. vs Hermiston* 4:30 p.m. at The Dalles* 4 p.m. at Hood River* 4:30 p.m. vs Hermiston* 4:30 p.m. Staff photo by Eric Singer Hermiston’s Julissa Almaguer pitch- es during the Bulldogs’ home open- er against St. Helens on Mar. 17, 2017. Almaguer will be Hermiston’s ace in the circle this season in her third year on the varsity team. *-denotes league game #-denotes Spring Break Challenge at Happy Valley. *-denotes league game Mac-Hi Pioneers The Pioneers have appeared in the last four straight 4A state championships, winning two, and have no intention of ending that streak this season. HEAD COACH: Nicole Christian, 8th year ASSISTANT COACHES: Bob Christian, Kathryn Rodighiero, Baily Bennett, Andrea Roeder, Kortnie Walter. RETURNING STARTERS: Mallory Copeland, sr., P/C; Sydney Richwine, sr., 1B; Micha Fortune, sr., 3B; Kaitlyn Slusarenko, sr., OF; Rachael Lyon, jr., SS; Sydney Earls, so., P OTHER RETURNERS: Brooke Smiley, sr., DH IMPACT NEWCOMERS: Brittany Potts, jr., 2B; Faith Kelley, jr., 2B: Becca Jones, jr., OF: McKenna Yensen, jr., OF; Britney Wells, so., OF; Graci Bullock, fr., P/ OF; Ashlyn Marly, fr., C/OF SEASON GOALS: The Pioneers know there are teams ready to write them off, but aren’t buying into any rebuilding talk and are set on returning to another state championship. CHRISTIAN’S KEY TO THE SEASON: “I have a lot of talent and puzzle pieces I need to fit together to get us back to the state title game. I expect it to be a little rocky at first as we are getting used to filling in spots of key players lost and new players battling for starting roles. I’m excited to see who steps up and rises to the challenge.” BIGGEST STRENGTHS: A strong youth system continues to supply the Pioneers with capable athletes, and a strong sense of community keeps the Pioneers grounded. Speed, hitting and strong player leadership will guide them on the field. 2017 Schedule Mar. 16 Mar. 25 Mar. 25 Mar. 27 Mar. 27 Mar. 28 Mar. 28 Mar. 31 Mar. 31 April 1 April 8 April 11 April 15 April 18 April 20 April 29 May 6 May 12 at Weston-McEwen W 20-17 vs (at Yamhill-Carlton) TBD at Yamhill-Carlton TBD vs Gladstone# Noon vs Elmira # 4 p.m. vs Milwaukie # Noon vs South Salem # 4 p.m. vs Stayton 4 p.m. vs Junction City 6 p.m. vs Estacada 4 p.m. at Ontario (2)* Noon vs Pendleton 6 p.m. vs La Grande (2)* Noon vs Walla Walla (WA) TBD at Baker (2)* 3/5 p.m. vs Ontario (2)* Noon at La Grande (2)* Noon vs Baker (2)* 3/5 p.m. *-denotes league game #-denotes Spring Break Tournament at Canby Mar. 14 at Ridgeview L 14-3 Mar. 17 vs St. Helens W 16-2 Mar. 18 vs Hillsboro L 4-2 Mar. 22 vs Bend 4 p.m. Mar. 24 at Pasco (WA) 4 p.m. Mar. 27 vs Gresham# 4 p.m. Mar. 28 vs. TBD# TBD Apr. 5 at Sherwood 5 p.m. Apr. 8 vs Central Cath. (2) 1 p.m. Apr. 11 vs La Grande (2) 3/5 p.m. Apr. 15 at Hood River (2)* Noon Apr. 18 vs Hood River* 4:30 p.m. Apr. 22 at The Dalles (2)* Noon April 25 vs The Dalles* 4:30 p.m. April 28 vs Pendleton (2)* 3 p.m. May 2 at Pendleton* 4:30 p.m. May 5 vs Hood River* 4:30 p.m. 4A GREATER OREGON LEAGUE 2017 Projected Finish Mac-Hi Pioneers Returning All-League Players Mac-Hi — Mallory Copeland, sr. (POY); Micha Fortune, sr.; Rachael Lyon, soph.; Sydney Richwine, sr.; Kaitlyn Slusarenko, sr. Ontario — Alexis Navarette, soph.; Erin Turner, sr.; Abby Turner, sr.; Sydney Sather, sr. La Grande — Lexee Gomes, soph.; Breann Givens, sr.; Mady Bell, jr.; Delaney Lester, jr.; Alaina Carson, soph.; Kara Gooderham, soph. Baker — Jordan Rudolph, sr.; Morgan Plumbtree, sr.; Gussie Cook, soph. Ontario Tigers La Grande Tigers Baker/Powder Valley Bulldogs 2016 Final Standings GOL Conf. Ovr. Mac-Hi 12-0 25-6 Ontario 5-7 16-11 La Grande 5-7 9-14 Baker 2-10 11-14 Proud of Our Athletes! YOUTH IS OUR FUTURE! 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