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
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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
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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
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wins coming at a rapid pace.
Junior Mallory Copeland, an
all-state catcher last season, will
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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
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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.
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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
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district meet.
POSTSEASON STORY:
Three boys and six girls
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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)*
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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
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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
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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.
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“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
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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
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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