River Ridge gets first fastpitch win

PREPS: Frustrating stretch finally ends as Hawks get 13 hits to get past Tenino, 8-5

The Olympian • Published April 28, 2009

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The 2009 season has been a struggle for the River Ridge Hawks fastpitch players.

At times, their youth and inexperience has been apparent. Other times, they’ve been oh-soclose to notching a victory.

But on Monday afternoon in their nonleague home game against Tenino, the Hawks finally put everything together and got their first win, an 8-5 victory over the visiting Beavers.

River Ridge is now 1-12.

“We really just came through with our hitting,” River Ridge coach Jami Macki said. “It was all spread through the lineup. They were so excited.”

The Hawks belted out 13 hits and broke open the game with a four-run third inning.

“The girls were executing their bunts and getting the bat on the ball,” Macki said. “We left so many people on base in the previous games.”

Victoria Ness, Halee Hernandez and Aleah Cox each went 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in four runs combined. Cox also got the win on the mound, striking out six and walking three.

“She’s our only pitcher,” Macki said. “It’s all her, all the time.”

River Ridge resumes Class 2A Evergreen Conference play today against Black Hills.

Timberline 9, North Thurston 2: Despite Timberline committing five errors, Taryn Smith only allowed one North Thurston run in the teams’ Western Cascade Conference dual.

Smith, the Blazers’ pitcher, gave up two runs in the third inning on one hit. She also struck out eight and was 4-for-4 at the plate.

Timberline scored at least one run in five its six innings on 12 hits. Ali Shamberg got the lone Rams hit.

Baseball

Northwest Christian 19, Ocosta 0: The Navigators continued to steamroll their opponents, this time by a five-run mercy rule, to remain undefeated at 15-0.

Northwest Christian batted around in the first inning, scoring eight runs.

Ryan Heinze was 2-for-3 with two of the Navigators’ four home runs. He also had four RBI. Sophomore Zack Thomas was 4-for-4 with one home run.

“We hit the ball really well,” Northwest Christian coach Don Heinze said.