Although The Dalles softball team is set to hit the field without five graduated seniors, returning all-league centerfielder Kathryn Bradford likes what she has seen thus far from the young Riverhawks.
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The Dalles seniors Grace Helyer and Ruthie Ford combined for five hits and two RBIs, as No. 9 The Dalles broke open a 1-1 tie with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning enroute to a 6-3 win Friday over Hood River Valley on senior night in The Dalles. TD’s win, coupled by Hermiston’s 12-2 loss Friday to Pendleton, gave the Riverhawks second place in league and a home state play-in matchup at home next Friday against St. Helens.
When given a chance to shine, whether as a hitter or catcher, The Dalles sophomore Emma Weir takes advantage of her opportunities. Weir went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two stolen bases and an RBI, as the No. 10 Riverhawks broke open a 5-3 lead with eight runs in the top of the third inning to post a mercy-ruled 13-3 victory over Hermiston Friday at 16th Street Ballpark.
Athlete of the Week Profile Name: Maddy Bradford Sport: Softball Grade: 12 Favorite Class: AP English Favorite Athlete: Buster Posey Favorite Food: French Fries Favorite Movie/TV Show: A League Of Their Own Last Week: Maddy Bradford pitched four games last week and won three, including the program’s first win over Pendleton in 10 games, 9-8, on April 23. The senior led the Riverhawks to a two-game sweep over Hood River Valley Saturday by scores of 2-0 and 9-5. In 14 innings pitched, Bradford struck out 16, allowed 13 hits and three earned runs, and also chipped in three hits, including a home run and two RBIs. She is currently leading the team in RBIs, total hits and home runs. Coach Quote from Steve Garrett: “Maddy has become an awesome team leader, not with words or talk, but by her example on the field. She has stepped up her game to make her a force to be reckoned with, both in the pitching circle as well as at the plate. Kudos to Maddy for an awesome week and season so far.”
HOOD RIVER – Facing a turning point to the season, The Dalles senior Maddy Bradford put the team on her back and willed them to a doubleheader sweep Saturday by scores of 2-0 and 9-5 in a Columbia River Conference softball matchup played on the road against Hood River Valley. In 17 innings pitched, Bradford struck out 16, allowed 13 hits and three earned runs, and also chipped in three hits, including a home run and two RBIs. From the opening pitch, head coach Steve Garrett knew Bradford was dialed in.
Coming into Saturday’s doubleheader with a 10-game losing streak against Pendleton, The Dalles Riverhawks stormed back from a 7-0 first-inning deficit with three runs apiece in the first, third and fifth innings to complete a 9-8 comeback victory in the opening game at 16th Street Ballpark.
Kathryn Bradford, Grace Helyer and Maddy Bradford stroked two hits apiece, and the No. 9-ranked Riverhawks erased a 3-0 first-inning deficit with nine unanswered runs to secure a 9-3 victory Tuesday in a league matchup against No. 3 Hermiston.
The pitching duo of Bailey Ortega and Colton Walker allowed five hits, walked two and struck out 10, but The Dalles Riverhawks managed a split Saturday in their Columbia River Conference doubleheader played at Armand Larvie Middle School in Hermiston.
No. 3 Hermiston sweeps TD Taking a two-game sweep loss is a tough pill to swallow, but knowing there were plenty of chances to turn the tables and pick up a sweep was even more frustrating for The Dalles softball team. In 14 innings played, the No. 11-ranked Riverhawks totaled 23 hits, but left 17 runners on base in taking losses of 10-8 and 7-4 in a Columbia River Conference doubleheader against No. 3 Hermiston Saturday at Rocky Heights Elementary School.
The Dalles Riverhawks have that certain look in their eyes. That fire in their bellies burning hot, with an appetite for destruction. Kathryn Bradford, Maddy Bradford and Hannah Wallis went a combined 12 for 14 from the plate, and the No. 4-ranked Riverhawks rattled off a season-high 24 hits in a 24-3 mercy-ruled drubbing of Redmond Friday in a softball matchup at Redmond High School.
