The Dalles High Riverhawks enjoyed their finest season in six years while reaching OSAA Class 5A state softball tournament for the first time since 2016.
Everything seemed to be going in Hood River’s favor last week, as the Eagles and Gorge rival The Dalles battled for the third and final Intermountain Conference softball playoff spot.
The No. 8 ranked The Dalles High Riverhawks (9-6 IMC, 16-9 overall) qualified for the OSAA Class 5AÂ softball state playoffs after winning an Intermountain Conference doubleheader 9-8 and 4-2 over their Gorge rival the No. 14 ranked Hood River Valley High Eagles (7-8 IMC, 11-15) Tuesday at Westside Elementary School in Hood River.
The Dalles High Riverhawks softball team concluded last year’s COVID shortened, 16-game season by winning two of their last four Class 5A Intermountain Conference regular season match-ups. The Hawks are hoping that the momentum they established then will carry over into the 2022 season.
Senior outfielder Molly Routson and frosh infielder Sienna Davis of Hood River Valley were first-team all-league selections by the Intermountain Conference coaches.
When standing back and observing the season, 14U Cherry City Crush coach Jeff Smith is not focused on his group’s 5-13-1 record, he is looking at the progression and the heart they have shown in several challenging tournaments.
