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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2016)
Polk County Sports Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 1, 2016 11A PREP BASEBALL Dragons fall to Kingsmen Dallas loses 6-0 in first round of the 5A state playoffs on May 25 By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — Dallas’ base- ball team saw its offense sti- fled during a 6-0 loss to Put- nam on May 25. The eighth-seeded Drag- ons fell in the first round of the state playoffs. Dallas entered the post- season winning its final eight Mid-Willamette Con- ference games to finish sec- ond in the league standings. The team averaged more than five runs per game for the season. But the Kingsmen held the Dragons to three hits, shutting down Dallas’ bats. T h e shutout was only t h e t h i rd time this s e a s o n D a l l a s failed to score a run Earhart and the first time since April 5 against Woodburn. Treve Earhart went two- for-two during the loss, recording two doubles and a walk, but the Dragons could not advance Earhart past second. Putnam pitcher Alex Martin threw eight strike- outs against the Dragons. The Kingsmen led 2-0 be- fore scoring four runs in the fifth inning to put the game away. Putnam was eliminated by Summit in the state quar- terfinals on Friday. Dallas finished the season 17-11 overall and 15-6 in MWC play. The Dragons earned an automatic berth to the first round after placing second in the league standings. Dallas will lose four sen- iors to graduation, includ- ing infielder Parker Ford, pitcher/outfielder Everett Minahan and pitcher/first baseman Tucker Weaver. Weaver was also named MWC Pitcher of the Year. MARLEEN WALLACE/ for the Itemizer-Observer Dallas’ baseball team leaves the field after losing to Putnam 6-0 on May 25. Dragons: Dallas offense stalls against Churchill Weaver earns honor PREP BASEBALL Continued from Page 10A But players aren’t expect- ing a dropoff in overall tal- ent with several strong re- turners, including freshmen Kaelynn Simmons and Emma Classen, both earned all-league honors in 2016. Players believe the future looks bright for Dallas soft- ball, and that this program can build on what they ac- complished this season into something bigger and bet- ter for years to come. “This is just the start of building back up a great program and, in the future, it will get even better be- cause Dallas has a lot of softball talent,” El-Hato said. “… We made it farther LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer Dallas sophomore Jayden Wynia attempts to run down a Sandy baserunner on May 25. than everyone expected but I always knew we were ca- pable of it. … I am going to miss playing for Dallas, but I look forward to seeing how they do in the future.” Rec: City tries to offer runners more choices Continued from Page 10A In addition to mainstays like coed and men’s softball, which begin in June and July, the city will hold a tennis tournament in August, a Halloween run in October, disc golf and corn hole tour- naments, and is gauging in- terest for an adult flag foot- ball league. People have begun to no- tice the increased options. Margaret Pearce, walking club organizer, said activities like the club give people of all fitness levels a chance to be- come more involved and they are taking advantage of it. The city also offers pro- grams for kids, including the Mighty Mites program. The latest iteration, which begins Saturday (registration due Friday) hopes to continue increasing in size. “We started with 30 kids and last time out, we had 65,” Brautigam said. Whether it’s an intense game of basketball or a leisurely stroll through a city park, the city of Dallas looks to expand its offerings. “We want to continue to build on this. Having a vari- ety of things to choose from is really important to us,” Brautigam said. Itemizer-Observer staff report DALLAS — Dallas senior Tucker Weaver was named the Mid-Willamette Confer- ence’s co-Pitcher of the Year with Carson Kinkade, of Crescent Valley. Weaver also earned first- team all-league honors, one of seven Dragon baseball players to receive all-league recognition. Shortstop Tanner Earhart was named first-team all- MWC, while first baseman Clay Coxen, second base- man Eric Kessler, outfield- er/pitcher Everett Minahan and catcher Treve Earhart earned second team all- league honors. Pitcher Jar- rett Stewart received honor- able mention. Weaver also earned sec- ond team all-state recognition and was a state all- star series selection. Ta n n e r Earhart re- Weaver ceived all- state honorable mention. The Dragons finished the 2016 season 17-11 overall and 15-6 in league play, fin- ishing in second place. Dallas advanced to the first round of the 5A state playoffs before falling to Putnam 6-0. Six Central baseball play- ers received all-Mid- Willamette Conference hon- ors. First baseman Luis Amador, outfielder Jackson Holstad and infield- er Peter Mendazona w e r e named first team all- league. Pitcher Amador Humberto Alarcon, catcher Luke Mc- Beth and utility player Mil- iano Alarcon received hon- orable mention. Holstad was also named second team all-state, while Amador received honorable mention. The Panthers finished the 2016 season 12-14 overall and 10-11 in league play, fin- ishing fourth. Central fell to Eagle Point 8-1 in the state play-in round. WOU: Larson places 13th in the javelin finals Continued from Page 10A Senior Justin Larson took 13th in the finals of the javelin with a throw of 199 feet, 6 inches. “The day didn’t go how I envisioned, but I am able to walk away from this meet and WOU knowing that I gave it my all,” Lar- son said. “After making the national championship four years in a row, I could not be m o r e thankful a n d blessed for my opportu- nity at Western.” Larson Senior Stephanie Stuckey compet- ed in the prelims of the women’s 1,500, but failed to qualify for the finals. Senior Badane Sultessa just missed qualifying for the finals in the men’s 800, finishing ninth. The top eight advanced to the finals. Josh Dempsey took 15th and Josh Hanna placed 21st in the same race. The meet was WOU’s final competition of the 2015-16 school year. Resolutions: Softball, triathlon, tennis up next Continued from Page 10A The crowd went wild. Cannons blasted confetti all over the green as I celebrat- ed a momentous occasion. That might be a slight ex- aggeration of what hap- pened one afternoon in Feb- ruary. But that didn’t make the moment any less epic (in my head). I stood just off the green on the ninth hole at Dallas Golf Course. I was maybe five to 10 feet away from the hole. And I was at a 44. At stake? The chance to cross one of my New Year’s goals off my list — shoot a 45 over nine holes. I grabbed my putter, lined up and hit the ball confi- dently and forcefully. Alas, there was no crowd to share my crowning mo- ment nor confetti. That didn’t stop me from giving a fist pump and a yell of tri- umph. New Year’s Resolutions are notoriously hard to see through. And here I was, not even two months into 2016, and I was 25 percent done with mine. Yeah, I felt cocky. If only the rest were that easy. Enter the Monmouth-In- dependence Fourth of July Tennis Tournament: Still on track for this one. I’ve even hit the court a couple of times, though the results have been … less than desir- able. The good news is each time I’ve played, I’ve gotten a great workout in. The bad news is that’s because I’m chasing balls that have gone over the fence or into some- one else’s court. Yeah, my glory days of tennis have passed (or never arrived). But I’m bound and determined to show up to the tournament to play some … OK tennis and, hopefully, not hit anyone with a wayward shot. PREP SOFTBALL El-Hato named PoY Itemizer-Observer staff report DALLAS — Dallas senior Yasmine El-Hato was named the Mid-Willamette Confer- ence’s Softball Player of the Year. El-Hato was one of seven Dragon players to be hon- ored. El-Hato and freshman Kaelynn Simmons were named first team all-league. Senior Ciara Greisen, fresh- man Emma Classen and senior Makena Linn were named second team all- league. Junior Olivia Nelson and fresh- man Alli- son Wells received honorable mention. Seven Central softball El-Hato players re- ceived all-league honors. Senior Kylie Nash, junior Jori Kerr and freshman Mariah Hyre were named first team all-Mid- Willamette Conference. Sophomore Erin Cole and senior Br iana Broadus earned second team all- league recognition, while senior Makayla Trevino and freshman Kassidy Noon re- ceived honorable men- tions. The Dragons finished 12-6 in league play and advanced to the state quarterfinals round. Central finished the 2016 season 11-13 overall and 9-9 in league play, finishing fifth. The Panthers fell to Crater 9- 5 in the 5A state play-in round. It’s the little victories sometimes. Enter (and finish) a full/half triathlon: There’s something about New Years that gets me all motivated. Movie speeches on TV make me feel ready to take on the world (Thanks “300”). All my friends bust out the seem- ingly endless motivational quotes and I eat it all up. For the record, a full, Olympic triathlon consists of a 1,500-meter swim, 24.9- mile bike ride and a 6.2-mile run. Am I ready for that? Well, I feel about as prepared as I would be to perform brain surgery on someone with a jackhammer. Naturally, I’m choosing a date. The Rolf Prima Triathlon in Cottage Grove is Saturday, July 23 at 8 a.m. Take part in one of Dallas’ adult rec leagues: Any chance I had to relive my (brief) athletic glory days passed when I definitely missed the boat on Dallas’ basketball league. And so, the men’s softball league begins in July. To my future teammates — a word of warning. My greatest “accomplish- ment” on the baseball dia- mond came when I was 6 or Solution on Page 3A 7. Upon struggling to throw the ball accurately to our first baseman, a coach told me to aim for his head when I threw. To my credit, my aim was true. Unfortunately, the end result was the first baseman taking a ball square in the face. That was pretty much the end of my baseball career in my mind. So how am I doing with my New Years resolutions? Ask me at the end of July. Today, this seems like it’ll be one epic month. If I’m still walking by the end of it, I might have a different view.
