By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Dayton’s Charly Upmeyer had an interesting last couple of days.
She flew out to Colorado as a pick-up player with the NW Vandals 16U-Terry squad between Tuesday and Friday before flying back to rejoin her NW Dirtbags 16U squad at Wallace Marine Park on Saturday morning.
In three games with the Vandals in Colorado, Upmeyer struck out four in eight innings before contribute to the Dirtbags 2-1 day with three strikeouts in two innings as well as contributing two hits and driving in two runs at the Stars N’ Stripes Tournament in Salem. It just speaks volumes of how much this sport of softball means for the incoming Pirate junior coming off of a 3A State Runner-Up finish with Dayton.
“I have a huge passion for this sport. I also love these girls. They’re my family, I just love this sport so much, I’ll do anything really,” said Upmeyer. “Colorado was a great experience, I loved it. I loved going out-of-state and coming back to these girls and playing the high competition level. It’s just really nice.”
In the two years with the Pirates, Upmeyer has helped contribute to the return of Dayton Softball. This past season was the first time since 2019 that the squad had reached the 3A State Semi’s let alone making the finals. For reference, between 2002 and 2019, the Pirates made it to the State Finals nine times with three State Final victories before their recent drought. With seven underclassmen on that second-place team from this past Spring, including Upmeyer, who was a sophomore, was huge for this crew coming back this next Spring.
The last two years have been big for Upmeyer, she said, learning so much as she enters this Summer of travel ball. During these next few months, Upmeyer is looking to stay true to herself, knowing who she is as a player and staying confident that she can compete with some of the best athletes out there.
“I’m just overall a confident player. I go up to the plate with confidence, and I pitch with confidence. It’s all about confidence,” said Upmeyer. “I’m definitely an aggressive player. If there’s a ball near me, or around me, I’ll get it, you don’t have to worry about that.”
West Salem’s Courtney Gills hit a home run while collecting six hits on the day and driving in four runs for the Dirtbags. Cascade’s Pearl Pruett collected five hits and drove in three runs as well.
Yamhill-Carlton’s Josie Barker (three strikeouts in four) Dayton’s Gabby Chupp (four strikeouts in three-and-a-third) and Cascade’s Jari Stegman (four strikeouts in three innings) each had strong performances in the circle for the NW Dirtbags 16U on Saturday.
