The INDEPENDENT, May 4, 2006 Page 13 Vernonia Sports Report by Ben Schorzman BASEBALL After dropping two against Northwest League opponents two weeks ago, the Loggers looked to get back in the win- ning track in a double-header against the Portland Christian Royals on April 18. The first game was, literally, a marathon, going 11 innings before being decided on a home run. The Royals jumped out early, taking a 3-0 lead going into the sec- ond inning. The Loggers came right back, getting two on Se- nior Tim Hein’s single. But the Royals scored again in the fourth inning, stretching the lead to 4-2. In the top of the fifth, Vernonia got a solo home run from Senior Ben Schorz- man to cut the lead to one, but PC answered, scoring three in their half. Down 7-3 going into the sixth inning, the Loggers put up seven runs, led by Freshman Byron Schorzman's two run home run. With the Loggers needing only six outs to get the win, Coach Steve Schorzman called on the Log- gers shut down man, Senior Russell Lende. The sixth was a breeze for Lende, who struck out two. The seventh was a dif- ferent story. After getting a quick out, Tyler Nicholson sent a hanging curve ball over the left field fence to cut the lead to two. Lende managed to get an- other out, but then a runner on third scored on an overthrow, making the score 10-9 Vernon- ia. Alex Lemieux got a hit and managed to make it to second base. Then Jesse Severson hit one to right field, scoring Lemieux from second. Then the scorelessness began, with each side getting chance after chance but never capitalizing. Finally, Troy Hernandez put a two out pitch from Lende in the eleventh inning over the fence, winning the game 11-10. The Loggers came out in the sec- ond game wanting to get the taste of defeat out of their mouths. Junior Brent Thomp- son led off the game with a home run. But Sophomore Je- remy Lende couldn’t hold the lead, and the Loggers fell 2-1 after five innings because of darkness. Vernonia came back the next day in a double header against Seaside. Up 8-7 going into the seventh inning, the Loggers self-destructed, losing 8-12. The second game was an improvement but still not what the Loggers wanted. After sev- en innings, with the score tied at three, the game was called on account of darkness and both teams left the field disap- pointed. April 25 saw Vernonia finally get back on the winning track against the Portland Lutheran Blue Jays. PL is 0-17, but has one of the best pitchers in the league in Junior Scotty Burris. The Blue Jay’s woes are caused by a lack of defense, hitting, and the overuse of Bur- ris. (One week he pitched every inning of the three games they played. An arm just can’t take that kind of use.) The first game was a nail biter, but really shouldn’t have been close. The Loggers clung to a 1-0 lead go- ing into the fifth inning when the Blue Jays scored two. At this point, Burris was throwing a no- hitter but, due to an error in the first inning, a run had scored. Finding themselves down, the Loggers answered, with Ben Schorzman not only breaking up the no-hitter with a single, but scoring a run on a Jeremy Lende double that put the Log- gers up by one. PL answered again, tying the game up in the seventh inning. After a score- less eighth for PL, Vernonia scored the winning run on an error by the third baseman. Burris pitched a great game for the Jays, striking out 15 Logger batters. The second game was better, but still not up to the team’s standards. Although the team won 10-4, the Loggers let PL hang around. Russell Lende picked up the win for Vernonia, striking out 13 Blue Jays in five innings. April 28, Vernonia traveled to Knappa for a double-header. The number two ranked team in the state had no problems, with Vernonia taking them- selves out of both games early. Knappa swept the two games 11-1 and 7-1. Davis and Rus- sell Lende took the losses for Vernonia. SOFTBALL The Lady Loggers continued their winning ways, extending their winning streak to six games. At Portland Christian on April 18, the game was clos- er then expected. Up 7-2 going into the bottom of the sixth in- ning, the Royals came back with six runs, taking an 8-7 lead. With their undefeated league season on the line, the Loggers responded with three runs in the top of the seventh, led by Junior Nandi VanMeter’s go-ahead RBI single. Junior Christina Sohler hit well for the team, going 2-3 with two runs scored, a RBI, and two walks. On the mound, Brittney Lin- dauer went six innings, giving up six earned runs, and striking out nine. In a possible State Playoff preview, the Lady Loggers hosted an excellent Regis Rams team on April 19. Ver- nonia’s ace, Junior Joreigh Landers, threw an outstanding game, announcing that Vernon- ia is one of the best in the state. She allowed only one run on three hits, and struck out 15 in the 3-1 victory. Vernonia jumped out early, scoring three runs in the first three innings, led by Senior Kristin Cota’s two runs. The team added three more wins to their record with an easy 10-0 win over De La Salle on April 25, followed by a com- plete domination of the Neah- Kah-Nie Pirates on April 27. In a double-header with the Pi- rates, the Loggers won the first game 26-0, batting around more than once in the first in- ning. In two at bats, Landers was 2-2 with a triple and a sin- gle and three RBI. The second game was much the same, with Lindauer pitching for Vernonia and getting the 19-3 win. Vernonia continued their success the next day at Knap- pa with two more wins. The first win came relatively easily, with Vernonia winning 15-1 behind the strong pitching of Landers. 2nd Town Hall Forum Long Range Planning for Vernonia Schools May 16, 2006, 7:00 p.m. at Vernonia Middle School But the second game was very different. Knappa wouldn’t go away after the 14 run beating, and stayed with Vernonia the entire game. It took some good hitting and some excellent pitching by Lindauer for Ver- nonia to get the 5-0 win. TRACK With two meets remaining before Districts, the track team is continuing to improve. Be- hind the solid performances of Junior Colton DeWitt in shot put, Junior Nicole Franz in the 3000, Senior Laura Brookins in the three throwing events, and foreign exchange student Rob Champion in the Long Jump and 200, and 100 meter sprints, the Loggers are hoping to sneak a couple more people into the State meet this year. Champion has been the real success story for the team this year, placing in the top three in the 200, and 100 meter sprints every time. Even in the Long Jump, an event he’s never done before, he jumped an 18’7”, which is a state qualify- ing jump. Another pleasant sur- prise is Sophomore Michael Calhoun. After a very success- ful Cross-Country season, Cal- houn has cut his 1500 meter time to 4:51, 13 seconds better than his personal best. “Michael will eventually be- come one of the best 1500 run- ners in years at Vernonia,” were Coach Byron Brown’s re- marks about the sophomore. Franz has also kept up her dominance from last year’s State qualifying fun, winning most of her races so far this year. Coach Brown is very im- pressed by this year’s group of kids and says they are very tal- ented with lots of potential, “It’s been a pleasure to coach this team. The real challenges will come in the next two weeks. Our athletes have a lot of pride and I’m sure they will do their best.” GOLF The golf team has played in a lot of meets this season, but due to some conflicts in sched- uling, I haven’t been able to get results. The next paper will have top finishers and team scores. Cub Scouts get to meet the birds Elizabeth, from the Audubon Society, with Hazel the owl. A special visit from the Port- land Audubon Society fascinat- ed Cub Scout Pack 201 and their families, April 19. Follow- ing a slide show presentation about Birds of Prey, the scouts were able to observe and touch various wings, talons and skulls. The best part of the night, according to the boys, was meeting Hazel, a four-year-old Spotted Owl who was rescued around the age of one. She is a permanent resident at the Audubon Society. At the end of the presentation the boys were given the opportunity to spon- sor Hazel with part of the pro- ceeds from the visit. The monies will help with her care and diet of mice. Each youngster was also given a couple of owl pellets collected by rural Vernonia res- ident Jim Prpich, from his resi- dent barn owl. Computer Counselors Doug Tesdal and Glenda Delemos • • • • • New Systems, Upgrades and Desktop Support Virus Prevention & Protection Digital Camera Support and Operation Applications for both Home and Business DSL and Wireless Network Set Up 503-429-4074 503-522-9663 E-mail: dougtez@comcast.net E-mail: glendade@peoplepc.com