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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2016)
4A/3A East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald Page 8 Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Pioneers reload for another run at state 2016 SCHEDULE M AC -H I S OFTBALL March 17 vs. Weston-McEwen 4:30 p.m. March 21 vs. Sister (at Bend) 11:30 a.m. March 21 vs. Scappoose (at Bend) 4:30 p.m. March 22 vs. Crook County (at Bend) 11:30 a.m. March 22 vs. Madras (at Bend) 4:30 p.m. March 25 vs. Stayton 6:30 p.m. March 26 vs. Twin Falls 9:45 a.m. March 26 vs. Estacada 3 p.m. April 2 vs. Yamhill-Carlton Noon April 2 vs. Banks 2:30 p.m. April 5 at The Dalles 4:30 p.m. April 9 vs. Ontario (DH)* Noon/2 p.m. April 12 at Pendleton 4:30 p.m. April 15 at La Grande (DH)* 2/4 p.m. April 19 vs. Walla Walla 5 p.m. April 23 at Baker (DH)* Noon/2 p.m. April 30 at Ontario (DH)* 2/4 p.m. May 2 at Pilot Rock 4 p.m. May 9 vs. La Grande (DH)* 2/4 p.m. May 13 vs. Baker (DH)* 2/4 p.m. COACH: Nicole Christian, 8th year 2015 SEASON: 28-1, 12-0 GOL (1st) POSTSEASON STORY: The 3LRQHHUV ¿QLVKHG WKH VHDVRQ RQ a 21-game winning streak to win their second straight state title. They outscored their four playoff opponents 42-0 and beat Banks 4-0 in the championship. LOSSES: P Colette Robert, 1B Makayla Kelly, SS Stefanie Copeland KEY RETURNERS: INF Shannon Carter, sr.; INF Micha Fortune, jr.; OF Jenny Field, sr.; OF/INF Brooke Kralman, sr.; P/C Mallory Copeland, jr.; DH/INF Abi Biggs, sr. By MATT ENTRUP East Oregonian I t’s no secret that the Pioneers KDYHDKXJKROHWR¿OOWKLV season with the graduation of pitcher Colette Robert, who was named the state’s Player of the Year at the Oregon Sports Awards as well as Pitcher of the Year in Class 4A after guiding the team to its second-straight state championships last season. Coach Nicole Christian is hoping that fact will lead some teams to underestimate the potent mix of talent returning to the team this year. “I think a lot of people think they’re going to walk all over us *League game EO ile photo/Kathy Aney In the March 31, 2015 ile photo, Mac-Hi’s Micha Fortune sprints for irst base after bun- ting against Scappoose during a softball game in Milton-Freewater. this year,” she said. “I hope they do overlook us.” The Pioneers return six players that made all-state teams last season, and Christian said she likes their chances to make another deep playoff run, perhaps even win a third state title. “That’s the thing, we know everybody is gunning for us,” she said. “Everybody thinks they can get us now that Colette is gone, but I don’t think we’re by any means out of the loop of getting back again.” Robert’s production on the rubber and at the plate isn’t something the team can replace with one player, but with strong defense, the quickest roster Christian has coached in her eight seasons, and plenty of capable hitters, the Pioneers believe they FDQ¿QGSOHQW\RIZD\VWRNHHSWKH wins coming at a rapid pace. Junior Mallory Copeland, an all-state catcher last season, will VWHSRXWLQWKH¿HOGDQGWRHWKH rubber this season. “Her passion is behind the plate but she also knows that she M AC -H I B ASEBALL COACH: Mark Michaud, 1st year 2015 SEASON: 5-20, 0-12 GOL (4th) POSTSEASON STORY: The Pioneers last played a postseason game in 2012. LOSSES: INF Joey Barn- hart, INF Kody Banek, OF Jacob Dougherty, OF Sterling Sandberg, INF Scott Zitterkopf, INF Jacob Chaney KEY RETURNERS: P/SS/CF Hunter Yensen, sr.; P/INF Jesus Vela, soph.; INF/P Miguel Garcia, jr.; INF/P Bailey DeBord, sr.; C/1B Keaton Smith, jr.; P/INF Justin Carlson, soph.; T he goals for the Pioneers in Coach 0LFKDXG¶V¿UVWVHDVRQDUHQ¶WUHODWHGWR wins and losses. The former volunteer assistant said he wants the team to focus on fundamentals, playing better each day and being great teammates. Michaud expects pitching to be one of the team’s strengths, and said senior Hunter Yensen may be the best hurler in the Greater Oregon League. Behind him, sophomore Jesus Vela and junior Miguel Garcia had productive summers and should give the team a solid starting rotation, which will wants to do her best for the team wherever we put her,” Christian said. “She’s been working really hard in the offseason on the mound and she’s been working in the cages and getting better. “She’s ready to go. She’s just gotten better since the last time I saw her.” The team had several younger players that are vying for innings in the circle as well, and all of them will be backed by a defense Christian expects to be one of the team’s biggest strengths once she M AC -H I T RACK & F IELD be necessary with six doubleheaders on the schedule. The rest of the lineup is little more murky, but Michaud said he likes the talent he’s got and it’s just a matter of putting everybody in the position they’ll best serve the team. “I’m excited to get this year going,” he said. “I’m excited for this opportunity and excited to see the kids grow.” 2016 SCHEDULE March 15 vs. College Place 4 p.m. March 17 at Weston-McEwen 4:30 p.m. 0DUFK YV2UR¿QR SP April 5 at Elgin 4 p.m. April 9 vs. Ontario (DH)* Noon/2 p.m. April 13 at DeSales, Wash. 6 p.m. April 15 at La Grande (DH)* 2/4 p.m. April 18 vs. College Place 4 p.m. April 23 at Baker (DH)* Noon/2 p.m. April 26 at Pilot Rock 4:30 p.m. April 27 at Irrigon 4 p.m. April 28 vs. Pilot Rock 4:30 p.m. April 30 at Ontario (DH)* Noon/2 p.m. May 3 vs. Riverside 4:30 p.m. May 4 at Joseph TBD May 9 vs. La Grande (DH)* 2/4 p.m. May 11 at Riverside 4:30 p.m. May 13 vs. Baker (DH)* 3/5 p.m. COACH: John Milleson, 1st year 2015 SEASON: The Pioneers boys and girls each ¿QLVKHG IRXUWK DW WKH *2/ district meet. POSTSEASON STORY: Three boys and six girls TXDOL¿HGIRUWKHVWDWHPHHWLQ 11 events. Kristi Childers won a gold medal in the 300-meter hurdles and Austin Cousineau won bronze in the 800 meters. KEY LOSSES: (Boys) Austin Cous- ineau (middle distance), Gabe McAlester (sprints); (Girls) Kristi Childers (hurdles), Susana Romero-Diaz (relay), Anna Lonai (relay) KEY RETURNERS: (Boys) Landon Warne, jr. (throws); (Girls) Kitanya Crisman, sr. (relay), Alicia Walter, sr. (throws, pole vault), Amber Wells, sr. (throws), Brianna Hernandez, soph. (middle distance) I n a prearranged move, Coach Milleson steps back into the head role while last season’s head coach Stacie Lieuallen will be helping with jumpers and hurdlers while she focuses on family life. M AC -H I T ENNIS COACH: Michelle Snyder, 12th year 2015 SEASON: The boys placed second at the district tournament and the girls were sixth. Both teams won their sub-district tournament. POSTSEASON STORY: Carlos Angel was the only Pioneer to advance to the state bracket and went 1-1 there. LOSSES: (Boys) Alex Alvaraz, Ulysses Zaragoza, Carlos Angel. (Girls) Anniek Kevietsbosch, Sam Tveidt KEY RETURNERS: (Boys) Rigo Ponce, sr.; Deazen Zerba, soph.; Fran- cisco Robledo, soph.; Jose Abrego, VU *LUOV (OLVH *ULI¿WK VU 0DULD Castillo, sr.; Jacky Reyes, sr.; Anna Rodriguez, sr.; Emily Cuellar, jr. T he Pioneers are reloading with the intent of repeating as district champions this season and Coach Snyder is hoping for big things from her girls singles. 6HQLRU(OLVH*ULI¿WKOHDGVD veteran group as the No. 1 singles player, and all of the girls have been in the program since they were freshmen. Senior Anna Rodriguez and junior Emily Cuellar are slated to be the No. 1 doubles team. Snyder is optimistic for the boys’ team as well, but more youth makes their prospects a little more uncertain. However, senior Rigo Ponce is another four-year player the Snyder is hoping can fare well at No. 1 singles. Senior Jose Abrego and sophomore Francisco Robledo will pair at No. 1 doubles. “I have a great group of kids and I love working with everyone, and I’m looking forward to a great season,” Snyder said. 2016 SCHEDULE March 15 at College Place, Wash. 4 p.m. March 29 (B) vs. The Dalles 4 p.m. March 29 (G) at The Dalles 4 p.m. March 30 at Riverside 3:30 p.m. April 1 (B) vs. Pendleton 4 p.m. April 1 (G) at Pendleton 4 p.m. April 2 vs. La Grande 11 a.m. April 4 vs. Umatilla 3 p.m. April 5 vs. W-M/Helix 4 p.m. April 7 at Weston-McEwen 4 p.m. April 8 vs. Ione 3 p.m. April 11 at Umatilla 4 p.m. $SULO DW6WDQ¿HOG SP April 14 vs. College Place 4 p.m. April 18 (B) at Pendleton 4 p.m. April 18 (G) vs. Pendleton 4 p.m. April 19 vs. Helix/W-M 4 p.m. April 21 at La Grande 3 p.m. April 22 (B) vs. Sandy TBD April 23 vs. Mac-Hi Tournament TBD April 30 at Helix Tournament 9 a.m. May 7-9 at Sub-Districts (Kennewick) TBD May 13-14 at Districts (Ontario) 11 a.m. good teams, got some private schools. It’s tough.” “The good news is we have some depth. We only grad- uated one guy out of 14, so we have 13 guys coming back. That helps.” 2016 SCHEDULE Mar. 17 vs. Union Mar. 19 vs. DeSales (WA)(DH) Mar. 22 at Riverside Tourney Mar. 23 at Riverside Tourney Mar. 29 vs. Kennedy at The Dalles April 1 vs. Umatilla (DH)* LWKORWVRIUHWXUQHUVWKH6WDQ¿HOG7LJHUVDSSHDU April 5 at Riverside (DH)* to be in good position, once again, to win the April 8 vs. Burns (DH)* 3A Eastern Oregon League. Stalwarts Dylan April 12 at Tri-City Prep (WA) Grogan, Ryan Bailey, Tony Flores and Thyler Monkus April 15 vs. Imbler (DH)* DOOUHWXUQWKRXJK6WDQ¿HOGFRXOGEHZLWKRXWWKHYHUVDWLOH April 19 vs. Pilot Rock Klay Jenson, who suffered a gruesome hip injury in the April 21 vs. Santian Christian fall and is still yet to return. April 23 at Taft Johnson is hopeful Jenson can return at some point this vs. Monroe at Taft season, but it seems like a longshot. Hunter Barnes might not April 23 April 29 vs. Vale (DH)* play, either. at Nyssa (DH)* ³7KH\DOO¿OOHGJRDOVRXWWKHRWKHUGD\DQGWKH\WKLQN May 6 at Enterprise (DH)* we’re capable of competing for a stat title. But it’s tough May 13 DW$2QFH\RXJHWWRWKH¿QDOHLJKWWKHUHDUHVRPHUHDOO\ *League game W Milleson expects his throwers to be a primary strength for both teams, and KRSHVDQLQÀX[RITXLFNDWKOHWHVFDQKHOS make the girls into a well-rounded squad. “We’re hoping those young kids learn fast because we’ve got some good ones out here, and they’re going to be making our returners earn their keep for sure,” he said. “Sophomores and juniors, they just came out of the woodwork this year.” The boys’ team has even more learning curves to navigate, though. “The boys’ side is pretty wide open,” Milleson said. “We’ve lost a lot of guys to graduation the last couple years so we’re hurting.” 2016 SCHEDULE March 17 at Pendleton April 1 Mac-Hi Carnival of Speed April 8 at Umatilla April 15 at Hood River April 23 at Union April 27 at Hermiston April 30 at Ontario May 6 at Baker City May 14 at Districts (Ontario) Noon 11 a.m. Noon 4 p.m. 11 a.m. TBD 11 a.m. 1 p.m. TBD M AC -H I G OLF S TANFIELD B ASEBALL Coach: Bryan Johnson, 8th year 2015 SEASON: 20-8, 9-1 EOL (1st) POSTSEASON STORY: Lost 9-6 at &DVFDGH&KULVWLDQLQWKHVWDWHTXDUWHU¿- nals. LOSS: U Steven Allen RETURNERS: INF Dylan Grogan, jr.; INF Tony Flores, jr.; OF Thyler Monkus, jr.; OF Jason Fitzpatrick, sr.; INF Ryan Bailey, jr.,; INF Hunter Barnes, jr.; OF Justin Keeney, soph.; OF Makiah Blankenship, soph.; Shane Keltz, soph.; Keith Wampler, sr.; Damien Curiel, soph. ¿JXUHVZKRZLOOSOD\ZKHUH “We’ve got a lot of things that we have options of trying, which I love because these kids are so versatile,” she said. “Defensively we match up well and it’s going to be whoever can hit the ball well the stays in the lineup. “I have so many options and LW¶VJRLQJWREHWRXJKWR¿JXUHRXW what’s going to work for us, and who’s going to rise to the pressure. I don’t think we’re too far off talent-wise knowing that we cane get back (to state).” 4 p.m. 11 a.m. 10 a.m. TBD 4:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 5 p.m. 1 p.m. 5 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10 a.m. noon 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. COACH: Barry Wofford, 5th year 2015 SEASON: The Pioneers boys placed third at the district tournament led by individual champion Riley Chester. POSTSEASON STORY: Chester was the only Pioneer to PDNHWKHVWDWH¿QDOVDQG¿QLVKHGWKLQD¿HOGRIJROIHUV KEY RETURNERS: Riley Chester, jr., Evan Kain, jr., Noah Wilson, soph., Armando Garcia, sr. T he Pioneers didn’t lose any players to graduation and were just eight strokes from qualifying for the state tournament as a team last season. “Our goal, we talked about it a lot, we want to make the state as a team,” Coach Wofford said. “You have to be top two in the district and we want to do that badly.” Behind the four varsity returners, the Pioneers have a lot of youth that Wofford is hoping means good things for the future of the program. “One thing I am excited about, out of our 12 guys eight are freshmen or sophomores, so I have time to work with them and hopefully they’ll have fun and stick with it,” he said. March 17 March 23 March 29 March 31 April 1 April 4 April 12 April 14 April 15 April 18 April 21 April 25 April 27 May 4 May 9-10 2016 SCHEDULE at M-F Municipal GC at Wine Valley GC at Veterans Memorial GC at Walla Walla CC at M-F Municipal GC at Wildhorse GC (G) at La Grande CC (B) at Pendleton CC (B) at La Grande CC (G) at Quail Ridge GC at Big River GC (B) at Quail Ridge GC at Wine Valley GC at Veterans Memorial GC at Districts 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Noon TBD 1 p.m. Noon 1 p.m. Noon 9 a.m. 1 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2 p.m. TBD WAY TO GO MAC-HI! Go Pioneers! 613 N. Main Street Milton Freewater, OR 541-938-5162 www.saagershoeshop.com Do Your Best Mac-Hi! (541) 938-3331 725 S. Main Street Milton-Freewater, OR
