By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
GERVAIS, Ore.– The Gervais softball team has had a recent streak of success the last season-and-a-half.
Last season, the Cougars went 13-12 and reached the 2A/1A State Playoffs for the first time since 2019 and just the second time since 2008. And this year, coming out of an easy week of just two games, the squad from Gervais found themselves 11-6 on the year and just their third ten-win season since 2019.
The hard work, the passion, and the playing as a unit have helped the Cougars in possibly laying the foundation for something special moving forward.
“Just hard work and just showing it on the field, playing good and what it means playing together as a team and together, having fun and loving the sport,” said Camryn Rutledge, one of four seniors on the squad. “I’ve been playing since I was 14. Club season after club season, I love everything about it. I don’t know what I’m going to do after this year, but I’m still loving it,”
The experiences they’ve carried over from last year, facing playoff teams in Blanchet and Salem Academy for example, for this season as they’re currently sitting two back in the loss column to Regis in the 2A/1A Special District 3 League Standings for first-place.
“In the past, having Blanchet and playing them in the past that’s helped us get us where we are and seeing good pitching. Now facing Santiam and Regis, those two teams are the same if not equal to where we are,” adds Addy McCargar. “Yes they may have more wins or play better teams than we have, but we’ve shown them that we can beat them because we beat Santiam and I think we got a good chance against Regis when we play them.”
Addy McCargar, a Mount Hood-commit as an infielder, and one of the other seniors, along with Jennifer Ferschweiler and Ashley Midence, has challenged herself the last two years in becoming the Cougars pitcher.
“Pitching is my job here, and I try to do my best and support everyone else around me and make sure they do their best on the field. They support me when I’m throwing. It may not be my favorite position, but I’m out there and working my butt off to make sure that we win too,” said McCargar.
This week and this upcoming week are blessings in disguise for the Cougars. With two games, two non-league doubleheaders, this past Wednesday against Knappa and Tuesday against Nestucca, it’s giving Gervais an opportunity to catch their breath, heal up and prepare for that last league series with Regis.
“Just resting and practicing. Just practicing our plays, what we need to do, and getting done what we need to get done and working hard,” said Rutledge. “Just believing in our team, believing in ourselves and knowing that we can play well.”
The first pitch for their doubleheader Tuesday against the Bobcats is set for 3pm for the first game.
By Jeremy McDonald
