No. 2 Riverhawks open title defense against Scappoose

The No. 2-ranked Riverhawks (15-0 TVC, 21-2 overall), started last week with a 24-9 road win over the Class 6A No. 16-ranked Barlow High Bruins (9-3 Mt. Hood Conference, 16-11 overall) at Barlow High School in Gresham.

The Riverhawks were led offensively by senior Jeilane Stewart (4-for-6, seven RBI, three home runs), senior Zoe LeBreton (3-for-5, four RBI, home run) and junior pitcher Despina Seufalemua (2-for-4, three RBI, home run). Seufalemua had five strikeouts, seven earned runs allowed and two walks.

One day later, the Riverhawks continued playing on the road as they faced their toughest opponent of the year in a nonleague matchup versus the Class 5A Bend High Lava Bears (15-0 Intermountain Conference, 20-6 overall), losing 8-3.

Senior standout hurler Addisen Fisher relieved junior starter Taylor Aldrich in the second inning. Fisher, who throws a 65-mph fastball, has earned an athletic scholarship to UCLA. The Riverhawks were led offensively by Stewart (2-for-3, RBI, home run) and LeBreton (1-for-3, RBI). Seufalemua and sophomore hurler Siyra Faulkner combined in the circle for eight strikeouts. The loss snapped a 19-game Riverhawk win streak. 

“I’m proud of the girls for holding their own against Bend,” said Coach Lindy Macnab. “There were so many great learning experiences in a game like that. It provided the team with an opportunity to face the best pitcher in Oregon [Fisher] and the top-ranked pitcher in the nation for the Class of 2024.”

The resilient Riverhawks bounced back from the loss and, a day later, won 16-1 at home over the Class 6A Clackamas High Cavaliers (7-18) in the May 15 senior night contest. Riverhawk seniors Stewart, LeBreton, twins Kaleyah and Keiliani Crichton-Tunai and Sierra Faulkner were honored in a pre-game ceremony.

The Riverhawks took control of the Clackamas contest early, as they went up 11-0 in the first inning. The game ended after three innings. The Riverhawks outhit the Cavaliers 12-3 and were led offensively by Stewart (2-for-2, five RBI, home run) and junior Maddie Brock (2-for-2, two RBI, home run). Starting pitcher Seufalemua and reliever Faulkner combined on a three-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks.

Stewart enters the playoffs with 18 home runs, 47 RBI, 36 hits, 16 steals and a .514 batting average. Brock has nine home runs, 40 RBI, 11 steals and a .507 batting average. LeBreton, who leads the team in steals with 14, and Seufalemua have both hit seven homers. The Riverhawks have 54 home runs.

A year ago, the Riverhawks won the 4A title, 16-0, over Henley, this year’s Skyline Conference champion and No. 1-ranked team (16-0 league, 26-2 overall).

“The championship game could potentially be a rematch from last year,” said Macnab. “But I think on any given day, any team can play their best game and have a chance to upset a top team if they let their guard down.”