By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
HILLSBORO, Ore.– Cascade’s Pearl Pruett had a day for the NW Dirtbags 18U squad on Saturday in their 3-0 day to open the Valley invite.
After a slow start to the day, going 0-for-3 at the plate in their 8am game, the incoming Cougar senior went 4-for-8 with an RBI for the squad while helping out the NW Dirtbag defense out in Center Field.
She’s motivated to make an impact with the game that she loves. And coming off a junior season that saw her finish as a first-team All-Oregon West Conference selection as an outfielder, she’s hoping that this Summer will lead to great things going into her senior year and hopefully beyond.
“It’s definitely an important Summer for me with recruiting. It’s going to make an impact, I just got to show up,” said Pruett. “Just personally, I just need to zone in and not to overthink too much and play the game like I know how too, just to my full potential.”
The NW Dirtbag offense produced 24 runs with Gabby Chupp (Dayton) and Courtney Gills (West Salem) each hitting a two-run Home Run in the trilogy of games.
Their defense held strong coming off their Pasco, Washington tournament last weekend. The defense only allowed nine total runs in the Valley Invite Pool Play on Saturday with Charly Upmeyer (Dayton), Josie Barker (Yamhill-Carlton) and Chupp leading the defense in the circle pitching.
Upmeyer started the defensive presence in their 3-2 victory over the Soars Athletic squad, striking out 15 in seven innings as the squad will look to continue their momentum into Sunday’s bracket play.
“We rely on our defense a lot. It’s slow to get started, but we finished off strong,” said Upmeyer. “Making a statement that first game was big. Our defense is all gas and no break. We’re all full out, every pitch we’re talking, we’re all gas, we’re diving everywhere.
“(The Valley Invite) is a big tournament for us, especially since we know how we finished last year, so we just want to improve on it and we’re in a new age bracket this year too.”
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
