Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current, June 07, 2017, Image 14

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Polk County itemizer observer., June 07, 2017, Page 14A, Image 14

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Newspaper Page TextPolk County Sports 14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 7, 2017 Dragons: Dallas returns nearly all players in 2018 LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Dallas pitcher Kaelynn Simmons throws against Marist Catholic on Saturday afternoon. Continued from Page 13A Kaelynn Simmons and Lauren Wallace each had two hits. Classen finished the game with three RBIs. Dallas tal- lied seven total hits. “It was definitely nerve wracking, but we remem- bered it was just another game,” Classen said. “We knew that no matter what, we had a successful season.” It wasn’t the fairy tale end- ing players envisioned, but it was a landmark season nonetheless. The Dragons finished the season with a 25-5 record overall — including an 18-0 mark in Mid-Willamette Conference play — and earned the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs. Dallas dispatched Silver- ton 10-2 in the semifinals on May 30 to advance to the title game. Nelson had three hits and one RBI, and Sim- mons had two hits and three RBIs against the Silver Foxes. “It was amazing,” senior Ashlee Lichtenberger said after the win over Silverton. “It feels like a dream.” Saturday marked the first time the softball program advanced to a state title LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Dallas players receive their second-place medals on Saturday. game in school history. “This is all you can hope for throughout your high school career,” Nelson, a senior, said. The Dragons could be a major threat at state for the next few years. Dallas loses two seniors to graduation. With nearly the entire team intact — including Sim- mons, the MWC’s Player of the Year — there is hope that this isn’t the end of a journey but rather the beginning of one. “Making it this far for the first time can be a little in- timidating,” Jackson said. “We had awesome support. We had all those fans in the stands. You can only hope that with all our under- classmen, we can get here again and be a little more relaxed next time. It shows that anything is possible whether you’re from a small town or not. This gives us a new name, you could say. It shows what can come from showing heart and working hard every single day, and gives us something to work to- ward every single year.” Hess: Has coached multiple sports at Dallas High Continued from Page 13A He’s clearly expanded his coaching horizons — and along the way the chance to help students grow as ath- letes and as people in gener- al — became just as, if not more, meaningful than the wins and losses. Hess’ coaching career began when someone took a chance on him. And though he was honored as Assistant Coach of the Year, he hopes his greatest lega- cy will be helping to inspire future generations of coaches. “Get involved with the youth programs,” Hess said. “Find out if this is some- thing that you want to do. Put yourself in a position where you can do as much as you can to get a taste of it. Greg gave me the opportu- nity to coach high school and putting the care into the other coach and myself meant a lot. It made me grow up considerablely and changed how I worked with people. You have to be a lis- tener and follower at first and willing to take a chance.” PREP BASEBALL Central, Dallas players named all-league Itemizer-Observer staff report POLK COUNTY — Six Central baseball players and five Dallas players received Mid- Wi l l a m e t t e Co n f e re n c e a l l - league honors. Central’s Humberto Alarcon (pitcher), Jackson Holstad (out- field), Luis Amador (utility) and Peter Mendazona (infield) earned Holstad first team recog- nition. Josh Ro- driguez (pitch- er) was named to the second team and Emil- iano Alarcon (catcher) re- ceived honor- Amador IMAGINE OUR able mention. Holstad was also voted first team all-state, while Humberto Alarcon and Amador earned honorable men- tions. Dallas’ Tanner Earhart (outfield) and Treve Earhart (catcher) earned first team all- league honors. Jaret Stewart (pitcher) and Eric Kessler (infield) received second team all-MWC Earhart recognition and Clay Coxen (in- field) earned honorable men- tion. Ta n n e r a n d Tre v e E a r h a r t were also named second team all- state. Coxen Let’s have a chat Communities without our LOCAL NEWSPAPER! Thank the Businesses who advertise in the Itemizer-Observer without them... LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Dallas softball coach Brandi Jackson talks with Ashlee Lichtenberger during the Dragons 10-2 victory over Silverton on May 30. The Dragons advanced to the 5A state softball championship game for the first time in program history before falling to Marist Catholic 12-7. Solution on Page 6A Interested in advertising? Call 503-623-2373