A win over Hillsboro in the final game of the regular season was little consolation for the Hood River Valley girls softball team.
Entering the final week of the OSAA Class 5A Northwest Oregon Conference schedule, the No. 16-ranked Eagles needed to end a slump and win some games to solidify their chance to qualify for the 16-team playoffs. The Eagles (6-8 NWOC, 14-13 overall) needed to win all three games the final week but managed to get the lone victory May 17 at home on senior night against Hillsboro.
The Eagles finished in sixth place in the eight-team NWOC standings and hoped to get an at-large berth in the playoffs. However, those two spots went to the fifth and sixth place Mid-Willamette Conference squads: No. 9-ranked Corvallis (16-9) and No. 15-ranked Central (13-13).
Both of HRV losses last week were by one run. The Eagles faced the No. 18-ranked Putnam High Kingsmen (9-5 NWOC, 12-12 overall) in their final regular season road game in Milwaukie. HRV fell short last week, 8-7, on May 14. One day later versus the Canby High Cougars (9-5 NWOC, 13-11 overall), the Eagles lost 2-1 loss at home.
The Eagles then played their final home game of the season on senior night May 17 versus the struggling Hillsboro High Spartans (1-13 NWOC, 2-23 overall). The four Eagle seniors — Megan Griggs, Marina Castaneda, Adamari Lazaro and Bryanna Alvarez — were honored for their contributions to HRV’s softball program. The Eagles won 11-1 in five innings to snap their five-game losing streak.
The Eagles jumped in front 3-0 in the first inning, highlighted by a two RBI single by freshman Addison Van Metre (2-for-3), driving home Isa Rivera, who reached base on an error and Castaneda (3-for-3, walk), who singled. The Eagles continued their offensive attack, scoring in every inning. An RBI single by freshman Gracyn Hanshaw (2-for-4) contributed to a two-run third inning, putting HRV up 6-0.
The Eagles got two runs in the fifth on a two RBI single by Griggs (2-for-2) for the final 11-1 margin. Rowan sparkled in the pitching circle, hurling a one-hit game with 10 strikeouts.
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