Baseball/Softball

April 28th, 2016

By Teresa Schatz and Courtney Baker

With the first round of conference games in the books, the Phoenix baseball and softball seasons are well underway. The softball and baseball teams have put up many notable offensive and defensive plays this season, and are looking to work their way into playoff spots. Although both teams share a league record of 2-5, the two teams matched up well in the Skyline Conference, and are ready to face the teams in the Skyline for a second time to secure this spot.

Due to the loss of many key players, the Lady Pirates this year are a relatively young team with many new faces taking on the field. The girls undoubtedly had a shaky start to their season, but are continuing to improve and come together as a team. The team had been given many opportunities to prepare for the teams in the Skyline with non-league games. One of which took place at Rogue River. While the team put up a strong offense, they ultimately lost on crucial defensive errors in a 14-8 road loss. Freshman Taylor Wallack ended the night 4-for-4 with one run and one RBI, and Hannah Hague 2-for-4 with one RBI. Tiona Hurd contributed two runs for the Pirates- ending the day 2-for-4, and Ember Wolfe and Courtney Baker both knocked in two RBIs.

The Lady Pirates then dove straight into league games- starting off at North Valley, in which the Pirates demonstrated mass amounts heart and hustle, but were unable to string hits together in a 12-0 road loss against the Knights. Courtney Baker connected three hits to finish the night 3-for-3. Conference games continued through the week with a double header against Klamath Union. On their home turf, the team’s offense worked in unison as the girls earned their first wins of the year. Phoenix’s Tiona Hurd had an inside-the-park home run and earned the pitching victory in the five-inning opener against the Pelicans. Sophomore Brooke Kentner cleared the fence for her first home run to highlight the Skyline Conference sweep at Colver Field. Hurd finished 2-for-2 with three runs and one RBI in the opener, while Amber Taylor was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Kindra Hall was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and Taylor Wallack drove in two runs for the Pirates. In Game 2, Makenna Page went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI and Amber Taylor struck out nine and allowed only five hits by Klamath Union in the 19-5 and 6-3 wins. The Pirates took their team-wins into a home matchup against Hidden Valley. The girls put up a great fight, with Ember Wolfe and Brooke Kentner each collecting three hits and combined for four RBIs, but ultimately fell to the Mustangs in a close 8-7 seven-inning loss.

The baseball team, on the other hand, are for the most part familiar with each other as a team. The team had an outstanding performance in their non-league games where they picked up five wins. In their first road conference game to North Valley, the boys fell in a tough 7-2 loss to the Knights. Colton Beer had an RBI groundout for Phoenix during the Skyline Conference play, and the Pirates scored their other run on an error against North Valley. The boys picked it up for their double header against Klamath Union where James Turnbull compiled five hits overall and pitched a three-hit shutout in Game 2 of Phoenix’s Skyline Conference sweep. Turnbull went 3-for-4 with two doubles, four runs scored and two stolen bases in the opener, which the Pirates claimed in five innings. The Pirates’ Chase Courtney had a pair of hits, including a three-run triple, and Colton Beer and Brennen Watts both went 2-for-4. Beer drove in three runs and Watts had a pair of RBIs and two runs scored. Turnbull struck out seven and walked one in Game 2 and also went 2-for-2 with two runs scored in their 14-4 and 8-0 wins.

The baseball team brought their wins into their next league game against Hidden Valley, but their offense fell short in a 6-4 loss. Dylan Knudson was 2-for-3 with two runs scored for Phoenix during Skyline Conference play. The boys then traveled to Klamath Falls to take on the #1 Ranked Henley Hornets in a double header. The team matched up very well to the top ranked team, but were unable to keep up with Henley’s fast-pace offense in a close 4-3 loss in game 1 and 11-4 loss in game 2. Phoenix leadoff hitter James Turnbull had a big day at the plate. Turnbull rapped five hits and scored a pair of runs for the Pirates. In the opener, Turnbull walked in the first inning and scored the first of two Pirate runs in the opening frame. Thomas Skaff added two hits for Phoenix. In Game 2, Turnbull collected three hits and Kyle Botermans had a double and single against the Hornets. On Tuesday, the boys traveled back to Klamath Falls to take on Mazama and end the first round of conference games. Mazama’s offense heated up in the first three innings before freshman Freedom Martinez shut out the Vikings for the rest of the night in a 16-13 loss. Drake Knowles went 3-for-4 with four RBIs to lead the Phoenix 11-hit attack. Colton Beer provided two hits, two RBIs and two runs, and Thomas Skaff had two hits and scored three times for the Pirates.

The softball and baseball team both share a 2-5 league record, and are looking to secure a playoff spot by improving their record with this last round of conference games. The teams have a double header against North Valley at Colver Field this Saturday, so come out and support your softball and baseball teams as they work towards a playoff spot. Games are at noon and 2.