By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
ALBANY, Ore.– Regis’ Max Eaton came in relief in the eighth inning of Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader, what eventually would be a 4-3 victory over Linn-Benton for Chemeketa’s third straight win over the Roadrunners. The college freshman, coming off of a successful career at Regis, knew his role coming into the eighth inning.
To Hold the Line.
They set the tone on Thursday during their doubleheader up in Salem, taking both games by way of walk-off hits, and the message Saturday was to Hold The Line. Chemeketa had just scored four runs in the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead over NWAC Juggernaut Linn-Benton, and Eaton entered the game in the eighth on the heels of seven strong innings by Jack Klee
Holding the line was Eaton’s job from the work Klee and the defense did prior to his entrance, and it was something he did in his one inning of work coming off of Thursday’s performance in the Storm’s doubleheader sweep of the Roadrunners up in Salem.
“It was all about taking it one pitch at a time and holding the line for the boys. We set the tone Thursday, and we knew what had to be done this weekend, and that was the message all day was ‘Hold The Line,’ and I knew that was my responsibility,” said Eaton.
Eaton, though he threw 11 pitches Saturday’s on the heels of Thursday’s two inning outing against these same Linn-Benton batters, he held the Roadrunners to one hit as the former OSAA Class 2A/1A pitcher has been taking full advantage of the opportunities given to him thus far his first year in college.
“It’s a great opportunity, and I’m thankful for the coaches giving me the opportunity and everything leading to me being able to play here. I’m really happy to represent the smaller schools from around the area,” said Eaton, who’s pitched 21-and-two-third innings over 11 games with 12 strikeouts and a save this year pitching “The job is never finished.”
Chemeketa closed out the 4-3 win with Lance Kreisburg getting the save.
Chemeketa held the line once again in Game 2 as they held off the Roadrunners 9-8 with a last second play at home to preserve the victory Joe Vaccaro threw out Jake Holmes at home from Left Field with Wyatt Hooper making the tag at home to save the win.
Last season, Wyatt Hooper had redshirted coming out of Stayton High School. The year giving the former Eagle catcher an opportunity to make that transition from High School ball to Junior College ball at Chemeketa Community College, something that has now paid off as Hooper has became the primary catcher for the Storm this Spring.
Playing in 37 games this season, Hooper has made 184 put-outs, 21 assists, and caught nine stealing as starting catcher for Chemeketa this Spring.
“It’s really a shoutout to my boys on the diamond. Those guys, we all work hard, and I couldn’t do it without any of them. They’re my boys,” said Hooper. “I think I’m doing alright. I’m just approaching every day as a way to get better. I’m just sticking to the process and leaning on my boys to help me get better.”
The Storm finishes out the regular season with a four-game series with Southwestern Oregon Community College and are sitting 24-18 overall and 16-15 in NWAC South Region Play.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
