By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
MEDFORD, Ore.– The Dayton Softball picked up the energy in their North Medford Tournament opener against Salem Academy Monday morning.
Down 2-0 to the Crusaders after two innings, the Pirates picked up the energy, scoring three runs in the top half of the third inning and the momentum just built from there.
Their defense was locked down, their offense continued to perform as they took the opening game 5-2 in Medford and jumped out to a 6-0 lead in their second game of the day against Yreka of California.
Dayton led the Miners 9-0 going into the fourth as their energy didn’t waver after their slow start to the day.
“I think we were all very tired, but coach really woke us up. He was like, ‘you guys need to come out here and swing the bat’ and we took that and just kept our energy up from there and we got the game done and got the win,” said Gabby Chupp.
Chupp, a freshman, pitched all five innings of the 12-2 win over Yreka. Striking out 11 in the five-inning, mercy-rule game as the Pirates are now off to a 3-0 start to the year going into Tuesday’s doubleheader in Medford.
“I think I did well. I think on the mental side of it I wasn’t ready, but physically, I think I did pretty well. Mentally, i went back there and took a deep breath, took my time, and soaked it all in,” said Chupp.
Charly Upmeyer went 3-for-3 with 3RBI’s against Yreka and had six hits on the day. Isabella Lopez and Kyra Navari each drove in two runs for Dayton. The Pirates play Hoopa of California and Elmira/Mapleton on Tuesday to wrap up the North Medford Tournament.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
