Eagle softball slips to seventh

HOOD RIVER — No. 23-ranked Hood River had hopes of getting a win last week to end a losing streak in OSAA Class 5A Northwest Oregon Conference softball, but Hillsboro edged the Eagles, 8-6.

The Eagles (4-9 NWOC, 5-18 overall) nearly accomplished their goal in a May 15, road game against the Spartans (6-7 NWOC, 10-13 overall). The Eagles came up a little short in a close contest to a Spartan squad that is still in contention for a Class 5A state playoff berth. The close loss marked the sixth defeat by five runs or less for HRV, which is in seventh place in the nine-team NWOC standings.

It was a tough week for the Eagles, whose loss to the Spartans extended their losing streak to seven.

In a grueling schedule that included three games in four days, the Eagles started out with a 6-0 road loss to the No. 6-ranked Wilsonville High Wildcats (12-1 NWOC, 18-6 overall) on May 12. The Eagles then faced the Wildcats again the next day and lost 7-0 at Westside Elementary School in Hood River.

The Eagles were scheduled to play May 19 at home versus Hillsboro. The Eagles have two games remaining on their schedule, including a 5 p.m. Senior Night home game versus the Centennial High Eagles (7-7 NWOC, 11-11 overall). Hood River’s only senior, Kenadie Lucas, will be honored in a pregame ceremony at Westside Elementary School.

The Eagles will play their season finale, 5 p.m. May 22 at Centennial High School in Gresham.