With a chance to remain tied atop the Columbia River Conference softball standings with the No. 4 5A-ranked Pendleton Buckaroos, the HRV softball team simply needed to get a win over the struggling Hermiston Bulldogs.
Hood River (13-9, 7-2 CRC) failed to capitalize on some scoring opportunities, though, and came up short in a 1-0 upset loss to the Bulldogs (8-15, 2-8) Friday in Hermiston. The defeat snapped a four-game Eagle win streak and it was their first shutout loss in the CRC this year.
The No. 7 Eagles, guided by Coach Eric Keller, hosted Pendleton (20-3, 8-1) in a Tuesday doubleheader (results unavailable at press time) that was a must-win for HRV to take the CRC title, although the Eagles have already clinched the first play-in berth available in the league. HRV plays its final league game Friday at home at 4:30 p.m. versus The Dalles Riverhawks (3-19, 2-8).
“We played well defensively and Hannah McNerney pitched a great game,” said Keller. “We left one pitch over the plate and they got a home run, which was the difference in the game. We had our chances to score later in the game, but we just couldn’t get a run pushed across.”
The potent Eagle offensive attack (5.9 runs per game average) simply wasn’t effective against the Bulldogs. The Eagles outhit the Bulldogs 6-3, but they just couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities, while leaving a total of eight runners stranded on base.
“We need to keep performing well and get ready for the playoffs, but it was a little bit of a letdown for us losing to Hermiston,” said Keller.
After a scoreless opening frame, Hermiston took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Ellery Jones hit a leadoff solo home run. HRV had its chances to knot the contest numerous times with baserunners in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.
HRV’s Makenzie Chambers reached base on a Hermiston error in the fourth, but she was left stranded. In the fifth, the Eagles had another scoring chance as Emilie Ellifritz (2-for-3) and Lizzy Weekly (2-for-3) both singled. HRV again failed to get a clutch hit off Hermiston pitcher Julissa Almaguer to drive in a tying run, though.
McNerney had a fabulous performance, throwing a three hitter with 10 strikeouts and two walks. Under normal circumstances, a strong pitching performance like that would generally lead to a victory. McNerney reached base on a Hermiston error in the sixth, providing the Eagles with a scoring chance, but again they failed to drive in a much-needed run.
The Eagles continued battling hard in the seventh and had two baserunners with Weekly and Lauren Decker (1-for-4) both hitting singles to give HRV one last chance. However, the duo remained stranded as the game concluded in a disappointing setback for the Eagles.
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