By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Dallas’ Kadence Tullock knew that she had her hands full as a sophomore this past Spring filling the shoes of Jordan Creswell.
The 2024 Dragon-grad set a standard behind the plate that Tullock took notice of and that she tried to emulate this year in making that jump to Varsity from JV and filling that void at Catcher. Tullock was a part of a Dallas squad that went 17-9 overall and reached the 5A State First Round this past May.
“Just being able to watch her and with her being such a good influence on everyone, it set the standard high for me to follow and it’s a really good experience to have to be able to step into her shoes,” Tullock said of Creswell. “(This past season) teached me so much. This jump from JV to Varsity is so big and I’m so thankful to be able to be on Varsity and to be able to be in that position and the pressure that I was under, I’m really thankful for it all.”
After the High School season ended, Tullock went back to work as she joined the Ignite 18U squad out of Salem as one of their catchers. The incoming junior caught all three games for the Ignite, who went 1-2 on the day in Pool Play of the Stars N’ Stripes tournament at Wallace Marine Park out in West Salem. Tullock went 7-for-8 with two runs driven in and hit-a solo home run in those three games.
Her offense is one of the areas of work she’s hoping to work on this Summer. That and expanding and trying to branch out to other positions on the field. To become overall more versatile.
“Probably my hitting. Maybe expanding to other positions because I only play a lot of catcher, and I really like to expand out there,” Tullock starts. “This Summer, I’m really looking to grow for next season especially,”
Santiam’s Boston Flores and Wolverine-Grad McKenna Dodge each also hit a home run each on the day for the Ignite. Salem Academy’s Addi Bennett struck out eight batters in 13 innings pitching for the Ignite 18U squad.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
