HRV softball defeats La Salle Prep; wins 11th in a row

Hood River (7-0 Northwest Oregon Conference, 15-2 overall) defeated the Milwaukie Mustangs (1-6, 4-12) by scores of 15-0 and 18-0 on April 29 and 30. Up next was a matchup with La Salle Prep (6-1, 10-8) on May 2 — arguably the Eagles’ first real NWOC test. HRV swept Parkrose and Putnam before the Milwaukie series. Putnam, Parkrose (and Centennial) softball teams had a combined NWOC record of 0-25 through May 4.

On May 2, the Eagles hosted La Salle, and senior Grace Rowan took the mound for the Eagles with Isa Rivera playing behind the plate. The infield lineup had Bella Belcher at first, Kenadie Lucas at second, Sarah Mason covering shortstop and Gracyn Hanshaw at third. In the outfield was Addi Van Metre (right), Honey Wampler-Bryan (center) and Reagan Mooney (left).

The teams played a scoreless first inning until La Salle scored on a fly ball with two outs in the second inning. The Eagles responded and scored four runs with two outs in the bottom of the frame. Belcher singled to left field and took second base on a wild pitch. She would advance to third on a single down the right field line from Van Metre. Sarah Mason’s bunt would send Van Metre to second and load the bases. Mooney struck out and Lucas came to the plate.

She doubled to center clearing the bases. A wild pitch enabled Lucas to get to third and she would eventually score on another wild pitch.

In the third inning, Rowan struck out the first and third batters she faced. Mason provided stellar defense with a backhanded catch and throw to first base for HRV’s second out.

In the bottom of the inning, Rivera doubled, and Belcher singled. Freshman Taylor Duckwall came in as a pinch runner and would add another run in the third. The Falcons would make things interesting in the sixth, scoring two runs to close to within 7-3. But a double from Hanshaw in the bottom of the inning made the score final (8-3).

Rowan pitched a complete game with 15 strikeouts and just one earned run on four hits. Belcher led the offensive attack going 4-for-4 with four singles. Lucas was 1-for-4 with three RBI and a double. Hanshaw added two RBI.

The Eagles will play three games this week: May 6 at La Salle, May 7 at Canby and return home on May 9 to finish the series against Canby. The first pitch for each game is scheduled for 5 p.m.