Hermiston herald., March 16, 2016, Page Page 10, Image 26

Page 10
2A
East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Pilot Rock loaded with talent for title defense
COACH: Darin Fitzpatrick, 5th year
2015 SEASON: 26-2, 10-2 SD6 (2nd)
POSTSEASON STORY: Defeated league-rival Weston-
McEwen 2-1 in the 2A/1A championship game to capture the
schools’ second state title in history.
LOSSES: C/INF Bailey Weinke
KEY RETURNERS: P/UT Tehya Ostrom, jr.; P/OF
Rebekka Holman, sr.; INF Sara Weinke, soph.; OF Rhyanne
Oates, soph.
T
he 2015 season was one to remember for the Pilot
Rock Rockets.
The team lost just two games and won a total of
26 — none bigger than the 2-1 victory over Special District
6 rival Weston-McEwen to capture the schools’ second state
championship.
As they head into 2016, the Rockets are determined to
make it No. 3 as the return all but one starter from last years’
team in catcher Bailey Weinke.
“The goal is the same as it was last year which is to win
another,” Rockets coach Darin Fitzpatrick said. “But we
know we have a target on our backs this year.”
The Rockets return a wealth of talent, returning seven
all-league selections headlined by pitcher Rebekka Holman
(14-0, 1.05 ERA , 73 K’s), Tehya Ostrom (12-2, 0.86 ERA,
95 K’s), Sara Weinke (.479 avg., .507 OBP), and Rhyanne
Oates (.381 avg).
Richardson said that with both Holman and Ostrom
returning to the mound, pitching will once again be the
Rockets’ strong suit this season, carrying over from last
years’ staff that allowed just 39 runs all season (1.4 per
game) which was the second-lowest total in all of OSAA.
“Pitching always is because it has to be in the game of
softball,” he said. “Without it you won’t get very far.”
2QWKHRIIHQVLYHVLGHRIWKH¿HOG3LORW5RFNDOVRUHWXUQV
senior Madison Dave, sophomore Kayla Deist, and junior
Bekah Roe to help carry an offense that averaged just over
nine runs per game last season.
The Rockets will have one less hurdle in their road
to the postseason, as Weston-McEwen has moved up to
3A this season, something that Richardson said left him
disappointed.
“It’s teams like (Weston-McEwen) that make you great
because you have to work harder, so it’s kind of a letdown
not to play them,” he said. The Rockets still play the Tiger-
Scots on Mar. 19 in non-league action, however.
But with that in mind, Richardson is challenging his team
during the non-league schedule by playing a tough slate.
The Rockets are hosting Central Linn, Scio, and Weston-
McEwen on Mar. 18-19 for a tournament that the team will
need to dig deep to win.
2016 SCHEDULE
Mar. 14
Mar. 18
Mar. 18
Mar. 19
Mar. 19
Mar. 25
Mar. 26
Apr. 12
Apr. 16
Apr. 19
Apr. 23
Apr. 26
Apr. 30
May 2
May 3
May 7
May 10
May 14
vs. Riverside
vs. Central Linn
vs. Enterprise
vs. Scio
vs. Weston-McEwen
at Union Tournament
at Union Tournament
at Culver*
vs. Culver (DH)*
vs Burns*
at Burns (DH)*
at Heppner*
vs. Heppner (DH)*
at Mac-Hi
vs. Union*
at Union (DH)*
vs. Irrigon*
at Irrigon (DH)*
4 p.m.
9 a.m.
5 p.m.
11 a.m.
5 p.m.
TBD
TBD
4 p.m.
11 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
1 p.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m.
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m.
*League game
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
In this April 14, 2015 ile photo, Rocket pitcher Rebekka
Holman lets one ly Saturday during the second game
in a doubleheader with Weston-McEwen in Pilot Rock.
P ILOT R OCK B ASEBALL
P ILOT R OCK T RACK & F IELD
COACH: Dan Ward, 2nd year
batting average to land
2015 SEASON: 17-10, 9-3 SD6 (1st)
on the all-district team.
But after that, Rockets
POSTSEASON STORY: The Rockets
coach Dan Ward said that
drew into the state tournament as a No. 8 seed
plenty of spots are still up
DQGDGYDQFHGWRWKH$$TXDUWHU¿QDOVEHIRUH
for grabs.
getting knocked out by Monroe 6-2.
“We kind of have an
LOSSES: P/3B Jacob Pierce, P/1B Mike
idea of the way things
Hiatt, 2B Ryle Campbell, OF Dalton Lowden,
will line up, but we’re still waiting for some
C/OF Dillon Fritz; OF/1B Justin Willingham
KEY RETURNERS: INF Braydon Postma, guys to step up,” he said.
jr.; OF Chis Weinke, soph.; P/OF Levi Thieme,
2016 SCHEDULE
soph.; SS Bryson Pierce, soph.
Mar. 18
vs. Enterprise (DH)
11 a.m.
Mar. 21
vs. Elgin (DH)
11 a.m.
he Pilot Rock Rockets are set up for
Mar. 24
vs. Umatilla (DH)
11 a.m.
another successful season as they try to
Mar. 29
at Heppner
4:30 p.m.
earn a second-straight district title.
Apr. 1
at Irrigon (DH)
11 a.m.
Their road to that district title will be a bit
vs. Heppner
4:30 p.m.
different, however, as Pilot Rock moves to over Apr. 4
vs. Sherman
4 p.m.
Special District 7 this year where they will face Apr. 8
Apr. 12
vs. Weston-McEwen*
4 p.m.
the likes of Burns, Grant Union, Union, and
Apr. 16 vs. Weston-McEwen* (DH) 11 a.m.
Weston-McEwen in league action.
Apr. 19
at Burns*
3:30 p.m.
The Rockets return a plethora of under-
Apr. 22
vs. Burns* (DH)
1 p.m.
classmen talent led by sophomores Levi
Apr. 26
vs. Mac-Hi
4:30 p.m.
Thieme, Chris Weinke and Bryson Pierce.
at Union*
4 p.m.
Thieme is set up to be the teams’ No. 1 pitcher, May 3
May 7
vs. Union* (DH)
11 a.m.
and Pierce has a year of experience under his
May 10
vs. Grant Union*
4 p.m.
belt after spending his freshman year as the
May 14
at Grant Union* (DH) 11 a.m.
starting shortstop.
May 21
Districts (at Pendleton)
TBD
3LORW5RFNDOVRJHWVEDFNMXQLRULQ¿HOGHU
%UD\GRQ3RVWPDZKR¿QLVKHGZLWKD *League game
¿QLVKHGVHYHQWKDW
COACH: Phil King, 2nd year
the state meet.
POSTSEASON
STORY:
The
Also back on
5RFNHWV TXDOL¿HG VL[ LQGLYLGXDOV WR WKH
the girls team
state track meet, where the girls team
is junior Rachel
placed 20th and the boys team 24th.
Willingham
RETURNERS: (BOYS) Gunner
(fourth in 300
McCall, sr.; Devin Hasher, jr.; (GIRLS)
meter hurdles),
Abby Rigby, soph.; Megan Glynn, sr.;
Siobhan Holman, soph.; Rachel Will- sophomore Siobhan Holman (100
meter hurdles), and senior Megan
ingham, jr.
Glynn (400 meter dash). The trio also
teamed up for the 4x100 relay team,
fter qualifying six individuals
with Glynn serving as the anchor.
for the 2015 state track meet,
the Pilot Rock Rockets are set
up for another successful season as
they return all six of those runners.
2016 SCHEDULE
On the boys side, the Rockets are
Mar. 17 at Buck Track Classic Noon
led by senior Gunner McCall — who
Apr. 1
Mac-Hi Carnival
1 p.m.
HDUQHGDVL[WKSODFH¿QLVKLQWKH
Apr.
2
Sherman
Invite
11
a.m.
400 meter dash — and junior Devin
Apr.
8
River’s
Edge
(Umatilla)
3
p.m.
+DVKHUZKR¿QLVKHGLQVHFRQGSODFH
$SU
6WDQ¿HOG,QYLWH
DP
in the high jump by clearing a 6-foot-1
Apr.
14
Mustang
Invite
10 a.m.
height.
Apr. 15 Green & Gold Invite 3 p.m.
On the girls side, sophomore Abby
Apr. 19
Grant Union Meet 3:30 p.m.
Rigby returns and is ready to continue
Apr.
23
Union
Pepsi Invite 11 a.m.
her success after a stellar freshman
Condon Invite
11 a.m.
\HDUVDZKHUHDUQDQHLJKWKSODFH¿QLVK Apr. 30
May 6
Baker Invite 11:30 a.m.
in the 100 meter dash and a fourth
May 13 Districts (at Athena)
TBD
SODFH¿QLVKLQPHWHUGDVKDVZHOO
as serving on the 4x100 relay team that May 19
State (at Eugene)
TBD
T
A
I RRIGON B ASEBALL
I RRIGON S OFTBALL
The
Knights’
Austin
Rice pitch-
es during
a game
in Irrigon
last sea-
son. Rice
returns as
a valuable
leader
for the
Knights
this sea-
son.
EO file photo/
Kathy Aney
COACH: Jeff Botefuhr,
1st year
2015 SEASON: 13-13,
5-7 SD6 (4th)
POSTSEASON
STORY: The Knights
made their most recent state
playoff appearance in 2013.
LOSSES: OF Anna
Ayala, 3B Desi Jo Roybal
KEY
RETURNERS:
P Julisa Garza, sr.; CF
Kelly McLaughlin, sr.; 2B
Bailey Vandecar, sr.; SS Bea
Aguilera, jr.; P/UT Kayla
Gilman, jr.; 1B Casandra
Fleming, jr.; UT Mya
Chapman, soph.
T
he Knights are
looking for a return to
the state postseason
with several key returners
IRU&RDFK%RWHIXKU¶V¿UVW
season.
“I’m real excited for
what I’ve seen the last two
weeks,” he said. “It’s just
been nothing but positive,
and the communication
between the kids has been
great. Of course we want
to win and we want to
compete for league champs
and districts, but at the
same time we’ve got a goal
for that at the end of the
season, but for now we’re
just going week by week
and just going form there.”
Julisa Garza and Kayla
Gilman return as the team’s
top pitchers and Botefuhr
said he’s got a lineup that
should be able to produce
plenty of runs to support
them.
Along with key defen-
sive returners, Botefuhr
said junior catcher Lily
Mills has looked strong in
practice and sophomore
Jada Burns will be playing
various positions as she
makes her varsity debut.
“They’re all working
hard and that’s our motto
this year, it’s all about
team, team, team,” Bote-
fuhr said. “I think we’ll be
GH¿QLWHO\EHFRPSHWLWLYH
2016 SCHEDULE
COACH:
Randy
Henrichs, 2nd year
2015 SEASON: 16-11,
6-6 SD6 (3rd)
POSTSEASON
STORY: The Knights were
defeated in the second round
of the district tournament.
They have never played in
the state playoffs.
LOSSES: OF Darin
Chapman, OF A.J. Timpy,
INF Alan Blackman, INF/
OF Ryan Reynolds
KEY RETURNERS:
1B/P Nate Verley, sr.; P/
LF Fredy Vera, sr.; C
Cougar Kroske, sr.; P/CF
Austin Rice, jr.; SS Adrian
Roa, soph.; UT/INF Nate
Gumbert; 2B Tanner Mills,
soph.; 1B Johnny Phillips,
soph.; P/RF Hayden White,
jr.; OF Jose Covarrubia, sr.
E
xperience and
familiarity are two
things the Knights
have plenty of this season
as Coach Henrichs enters
his second season with
the high school, but has
been coaching most of his
players since they were in
Little League.
The Knights also bring
back a strong group of
leaders that includes
seniors Nate Verley, Fredy
Vera and Cougar Kroske,
and junior Austin Rice.
“They are the best
leaders you could ever ask
for for a coach,” Henrichs
said. “They’re just doing a
great job for me.”
Add in some talented
underclassmen that are
pushing for playing time
and the Knights are looking
for their best season yet in
March 17
March 22
March 22
March 23
March 23
March 28
April 5
April 12
April 16
April 19
April 23
April 26
April 30
May 3
May 7
May 10
May 14
*League game
2016.
“We’re looking really
good, I’m looking forward
to a good season,” Henrichs
said. “The kids are working
really hard, they’re focused
and listening well. I’m just
really pleased with them.
I think they’re going to be
pretty competitive this year.
“We want to make
districts and we want
to make state and from
that point we’ll set goals
for higher when we get
there.”
3:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
TBD
4 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
4 p.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
10 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
1 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
3/5 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
1/3 p.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
4 p.m.
11 a.m./1 p.m.
GOOD LUCK TO
2016 SCHEDULE
March 17
vs. Riverside
March 22
vs. TBD (Irrigon Tournament)
March 23
vs. TBD (Irrigon Tournament)
March 28
vs. Riverside
April 1
vs. Pilot Rock (DH)
April 12
vs. Dufur*
April 16
at Dufur (DH)*
April 19
vs. Culver*
April 21
at Umatilla
April 23
at Culver (DH)*
April 26
at Heppner*
April 28
vs. Umatilla
April 30
vs. Heppner (DH)*
May 10
at Sherman*
May 14
vs. Sherman (DH)*
*League game
vs. Riverside
vs. Willamina
vs. Burns
vs. Toledo
vs. Knappa
vs. Riverside
vs. Umatilla (DH)
vs. Union*
at Union (DH)*
vs. Culver*
at Culver (DH)*
at Burns*
vs. Burns (DH)*
vs. Heppner*
at Heppner (DH)*
at Pilot Rock*
vs. Pilot Rock (DH)*
HEPPNER MUSTANGS!
gs
Mustan
are #1!
G O
GO
USTANGS !
MUSTANGS! M
C OLUMBIA
B ASIN
E LECTRIC
C O -O P
“Something from the
Jewelers is always
something special.”
HEPPNER • 541-676-9200
Mon-Sat 9:00am-6:00pm
Les Schwab Tire Center
541-676-9481 • Heppner
Fossil • Condon
Heppner • Ione
Lexington
Heppner 541-676-9146
Condon 541-384-2023