Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 30, 2018)
WEDNESDAY May 30, 2018 SOFTBALL The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Grant Union Prospector Cody Jo Madden pitches in the quarterfinal matchup against the Clatskanie Tigers Friday, May 25, in John Day. Season of success ends at quarterfinal One run decides two-day game By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle T he Grant Union Prospector girls met their match in the Clatskanie Tigers. The Prospectors ended the two-day OSAA Softball State Championship quarterfinal matchup in John Day with a heartbreaking 7-6 loss. A lightning delay in the top of the seventh inning caused a break in the drama of a close game with a closely matched team Friday afternoon, and the action continued Saturday morning. “They played well, they played hard, they never gave up,” said Grant Union head coach Zach Williams. “I told them there was more adversity in this game than I’ve ever experienced in my coaching and playing ca- reer.” The Grant Union players left an indelible impression on their supportive fans during the two-day game, with exciting moments, including two homers from Prospec- tor senior Brianna Zweygardt for 3 RBIs, plus anoth- er RBI off a single, and a double play when short stop junior Madi McKrola threw to second baseman senior Whitney McClellan for an out, who threw to junior Macy Strong at first for a second out to close the top of the sixth inning. Grant Union pitcher senior Cody Jo Madden start- ed in the circle for the Prospectors, and senior Ma- riah Moulton relieved in the bottom half of the third. Zweygardt pitched the fifth through the seventh innings on Friday, and Madden returned on Saturday morning. Clatskanie, led by head coach Kevin Sprague, had Tiger freshman Shelby Blodgett pitching a full game. Grant Union entered the game with a 22-2 overall record, while Clatskanie had a 21-3 record. The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Grant Union Prospector Shaine Madden gets in on the action in the state playoff game versus Riverside/Arlington May 23 in John Day. Girls grind out 6-0 victory over Pirates By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle The Prospectors were first on the scoreboard after junior Hailie Wright hit a double, then scored a run off Zweygardt’s single in the bottom of the first. The Tigers scored in the third inning. Grant Union’s Mariah Moulton fired up the Prospec- tors with a 2-run homer in the first inning of the OSAA 3A state playoff game May 23 in John Day, the Prospectors defeating Riverside/Arlington 6-0. Moulton batted in Whitney McClellan who, at the top of the order, tripled in her first at-bat of the game. It was the first time Grant Union advanced to the state quarterfinals in at least five years, said Prospector head coach Zach Williams. Prospector starting pitcher Cody Jo Madden was cool in the circle, pitching the first four innings. Moulton See SEASON, Page B10 See WIN, Page B10 The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Prospector Brianna Zweygardt pitches in Grant Union’s quarterfinal game against Clatskanie, second baseman Whitney McClellan in back. Grant Union boys end baseball season at state playoffs Prospectors I fall to No. 2 Reedsport By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Contributed photo/Kimberly Neault Grant Union Prospector Logan McCluskey takes the mound in the quarterfinal game against Reedsport, with third baseman Peyton Neault in back. The 2A/1A Grant Union Prospector boys ended their season May 23 in a state play- off round, falling 15-0 to The Brave of Reedsport. “They’re a good team,” Grant Union head coach Dusty Williams said of their oppo- nents. “They’ve been back and forth with Knappa for first and second (in state).” Reedsport had only one loss on the season to a 4A school. The Brave, coached by Ja- son Lavigne, racked up 9 runs early in the first inning off Prospector pitcher senior Zack Deiter. Prospector Warner Rob- ertson, a sophomore, relieved was impressed with their dedication and work ethic. They were just always working hard to get better. It’s been a great bunch of kids to work with.’ Deiter in the bottom of the first, and freshman Logan Mc- Cluskey came in at the bottom of the sixth. Reedsport added their final runs in the last three innings. “We hit the ball a little bit, and had opportunities to score, but with their pitching veloc- ity, we were just rolling over and popping up,” Williams said. The Prospectors had a few hits, including seniors Wade Reimers and Ty McDaniel each hitting a double and Rob- ertson hitting a single. Grant Union hosted the Elgin Huskies Thursday, May 17, winning the league playoff game 8-1 for the shot in the state playoffs. “It was a great opportunity for our kids to make it to the state level and see another lev- el of competition,” Williams said. “We’re losing three great seniors, and they’re going to be missed. Maybe Grant Union can have a good run here in the next year or two.” He said he was happy with his team this season. “I was impressed with their dedication and work ethic,” he said. “They were just always working hard to get better. It’s been a great bunch of kids to work with.” He added, “I want to thank Russ Reimers and Doug Sharp and my wife, Stephanie, for always being dedicated to the program.” Williams said, due to his busy schedule working at the Grant County Fairgrounds, he turned in his resignation as coach after the game against Union. “I’d like to thank Grant School District 3 for the op- portunity to coach the past two years,” he said. “It’s been a great experience, and I wish the program the best.” Deiter and Reimers both said they appreciated the un- derclassmen stepping up this year. “It was a fun season,” De- iter said. “We ended up with a positive record.” “I had fun this year,” Re- imers said. “It was a good group of kids, and I got along with everyone. I’m proud of the younger players who had to step up in tough situations.”
