By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
STAYTON, Ore.– The Regis Softball team continues their absolute tear to open the season following their 18-2 victory over Culver and 19-0 victory over Mohawk on Tuesday afternoon at Regis High School.
After a 1-2 start to the year where they beat Clatskanie 7-4 before falling to Sylvania Northview of Ohio in Florida over Spring Break, the Rams have wheeled off nine-straight victories. Over that span, all 2A/1A Special District 3 games, the Rams have outscored their opponents 177-11 with six shoutouts. All ending well before the fifth inning.
They got depth, something that they’re hoping to rely on later in the season and once they get into longer games. Their offense, their defense, both have the potential to possibly set the Rams up for a deep 2A/1A State Playoff run following their 2A/1A State Quarterfinal appearance last year.
“We have so many players. We have three good pitchers this year that we don’t have to have Addi Bishop pitch every single inning of every single game and we’re going to use that. We’re going to try some different things where we throw some different kids. If we can get four or five great innings out of a pitcher and we could make a switch, we’re going to use that,” starts Regis Head Coach Kathy Bohnke. “And once we get to the end of the season, you’re going to see some substitutions, some changes and some pinch runners and some pinch hitters.
“We’ve got some different weapons that we have with speed, bunting and small ball. Long ball hitters, so we got a little bit of everything.”
And on Tuesday, there was a little bit of everything for Regis. The defense, with Hailey Bohnke pitching Game 1 and Bishop in Game 2, allowed just four hits in the six innings that they played on the day amongst the two games. Each one of their wins only lasted three innings due to the 15-run mercy-rule.
Macy Bohnke,Peyton Welch and Bishop each hit a home run for the Rams. Bohnke hit a two-run Home Run in Game 1 against the Bulldogs while Bishop, a two-run Home Run, and Welch with a three-run Home Run, hit theirs in Game 2 against the Mustangs. Regis’ offense produced 37 runs on 34 hits in the games.
“It’s just all the work we’re putting in,” starts Welch. “The weight room, on the field and in the cage for practice and stuff. Just keeping our heads up is the biggest thing for us.”
“We go hard, there’s no dilly-dallying or taking things slow. We go out to play a game and the whole team is out for that,” adds Bishop. “We can’t play down, we have to keep up that intensity. No matter how much we’re up-or-down, just keep that same spirit up.”
The Rams, who are currently 10-2 on the year and 9-0 in league play, will head to play at Mohawk on Friday before traveling to Gervais on Tuesday.
Photos By Jeremy
