By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
MILL CITY, Ore.– With league play coming around for both Heppner/Ione/Condon and Santiam, their midday clash Friday afternoon was just what they needed before softball’s second season begins in the coming days.
The Wolverines Boston Flores and the Mustangs Maya Payne led their respective defenses to battle in what would be a low scoring preseason game.
Santiam struck first. Flores hits a triple in the second inning and later scored to give Santiam a 1-0 lead that held for the next two innings.
“What really helped us was yesterday at practice we all focused in, worked on our weaknesses and took a lot of reps. We come to realize that our team builds off of reps and support,” said Flores. “Our outfield was working so hard. They had amazing fielding. (Heppner/Ione/Condon) had amazing hits too, but we had solid catches, and I’m really proud of my team.”
The Mustangs tied the game up at one in the fifth inning, which the game stood going into the seventh inning. Fatigue was sinking in, but neither team gave in.
But it came down to the seventh inning where Heppner/Ione/Condon made their move. They loaded up the bases with one out, almost took the lead, then before a put-out at home, had the game looking as if it may go to extras with how both squads were playing.
Then Olivia Ogden, the squads Pinch Hitter, drove two in with two outs with a single that gave the Mustangs a 3-1 lead. A lead they didn’t relinquished as Maya Payne shut down the Santiam bats to help Heppner/Ione/Condon improve to 8-0 on the year
“It was a big one for us on the road. We woke up a little sluggish in the beginning and were able to catch up. Santiam played great defense. We couldn’t find a hole. It was a good game,” said Heppner Head Coach Petra Payne. “That defense was huge for our pitcher Maya. She threw a lot of strikes, so we had to do that, and we did that today.”
Maya Payne struck out eight and allowed two hits. Lindsey Briley and Flores each had a hit for Santiam. Flores struck out five pitching and allowed three hits, Isabel Payne had two hits for the Mustangs, and Ogden had the other hit.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
