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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 24, 2017)
B2 Sports Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter Grant Union Prospector Marissa Smith scores in Friday’s league playoff game. SOFTBALL Continued from Page B1 Grant Union Prospector Mariah Moulton gets a high-five from assistant coach Monty Nash after singling in Friday’s playoff game against Burns. The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. www.eomediagroup.com “Freedom is Not Free” Grant County Chamber would like to pay special tribute to the men and women who served and sacrificed to protect the lives and freedoms of Americans. We celebrate their courage, honor their memories and thank them for all they gave. Their legacy lives on, and we will never forget them. WE SALUTE OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS Grant County Chamber • 301 W. Main St., John Day • 541-575-0547 • www.gcoregonlive.com be determined; if Dayton wins, the game will be played in Dayton, and if Burns wins, the game will be in John Day. Dayton (21-2) is ranked No. 3, and Burns (12-12) is No.14. The Grant Union Pros- pectors had the lead through most of the first five innings of Friday’s league playoff battle versus Burns, but the Hilanders scored two runs in the seventh for an 8-7 win. Although Grant Union lost, the team ranked in the top 16 to advance to the state playoffs, filling one of two at-large spots. Grant Union previously met up with Burns in Hilan- der territory April 28, split- ting wins with a 15-3 loss, followed by a 17-3 win in the doubleheader. Friday’s game got off to a tough start when Grant Union’s offensive power- house Ravyn Walker, the No. 2 batter in the lineup, collid- ed with the Hilander short- stop after attempting to steal second base in the bottom of the first inning. Walker was taken to the hospital by ambulance for further evaluation and is ex- pected to be fine. Nash said Walker should be ready to play by Wednesday. Grant Union was behind by two until the bottom of the second. The bases were loaded when Prospector Natalie Stea- rns hit deep in the outfield, scoring Reagan Shelley, who was in as a courtesy runner for Brianna Zweygardt, and Hai- lie Wright. Prospector Tressa Ran- ft singled, sending Marissa Smith home, giving Grant Union its first lead in the game, 3-2. Grant Union pitcher Ma- riah Moulton allowed Burns a run in the first and second Join Prairie City in celebrating Lyn McDonald’s Retirement! contributed/Shanna Wright Troy & Windy Hanson Jackie Osborne • Christopher Gibson 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day • 541-575-0529 www.driskillmemorialchapel.com 05644 The fabulous Mrs. Lynette McDonald, the city clerk for The City of Prairie City, is retiring after a 28 year stint with the city. Join us for an open house on Friday May 26th, 9am-5pm. Enjoy some cake while saying good bye to Lyn, and hello to her replacement, Ms. Bobbie Brown! 05515 Grant Union Prospector Cody Jo Madden pitches the final two and a half innings of Friday’s league playoff battle versus Burns. innings, but held them at bay in the third. In the bottom of the third, Stearns doubled to score Shel- ley, and teammate Cody Jo Madden also doubled, scoring Stearns, increasing their lead to 5-2. Burns had another run in the fourth. Then Zweygardt’s single in the bottom of the inning brought Whitney Mc- Clellan home for a 6-3 lead. The Hilanders started off the fifth with a one-run homer and later scored another. Madden then took the cir- cle to relieve Moulton. Burns threatened, loading the bases, but Grant Union got out of the inning, left fielder McClellan catching the final out. Hilander pitcher Ally Sut- cliffe allowed no Prospector runs in the bottom of the in- ning, and the Hilanders tied up the score 6-6 in the sixth. Grant Union’s offense stalled in the bottom of the sixth, and Burns followed up with two runs in the seventh. The Prospectors started a comeback when McClellan singled, scoring Smith. How- ever, Burns held onto its one- point lead for the win. Nash said she was proud of the way her team played, and said they were able to stay fo- cused after losing Walker ear- ly in the game. “They just kept play- ing and didn’t let it interfere with what they needed to do as a team, which is what we preached to them all year,” Nash said. “It’s not one per- son — I know they believed it.” She said Moulton and Madden pitched well. One factor that was dif- ferent for the team was going from a 45-degree weather game to a much warmer day. Friday’s temperature in Vale was 85 degrees. “It takes a toll,” Nash said. Burns head coach Charity Wensenk said she was happy with her team’s positive atti- tudes. The team, she said, was able to adjust to the new pitcher (Madden), adding the come-from-behind win was big for them. “Once we’re down, it’s hard for us to come back,” she said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.” Nash said she and her as- sistant coaches have been learning more about Glide. “We know they have had some hard fought games and have been well respected all year in the rankings,” Nash said. “We are up to the chal- lenge, having been road test- ed this year, playing 15 road games. “It feels normal to get on the bus again, and the girls don’t care where we play. Our fan base has also been very supportive this year following us everywhere we have trav- eled.” Michael B. DesJardin Dentistry, PC Preventive, Restorative & Endodontics New Patients Welcome! 208 NW Canton John Day 541-575-2725 mbddental@live.com michaelbdesjardindmd.com
