THE DALLES - The No. 5-ranked The Dalles High Riverhawks extended their OSAA Class 5A softball win streak to 12 after winning three more Tri-Valley Conference games last week.
The Riverhawks (7-0 TVC, 20-2 overall), guided by second-year Coach Duane Witter, started out last week by getting a 9-6 home win May 4 over the No. 7-ranked Estacada High Rangers (5-2 TVC, 14-6 overall). In the rematch between the two teams on May 6, the Riverhawks won, 12-2, at Estacada High School.
“We just have to keep things rolling and hopefully, we’ll have a first-round home game in the state playoffs (starting May 26),” said Witter.
Playing their third game in four days, the Riverhawks’ momentum continued in a 24-3 three-inning road win over the Molalla High Indians (2-5 TVC, 12-10 overall) on May 7. The Riverhawks displayed their highly proficient offense (11.90 runs per game average), which is ranked No. 1 out of all 28 Class 4A squads.
Senior starting pitcher Siyra Faulkner tossed a two-inning, no-hitter at the outset of the contest. Junior hurler Ainslee Eiesland of Dufur High School followed Faulkner in the pitching circle in the third and she allowed two hits.
The league-leading Riverhawks will be seeking to extend their win streak when they play their next road game Friday at 4:30 p.m. versus the Madras High White Buffaloes (0-7 TVC, 3-17 overall). In two previous three-inning Mercy Rule shortened April games between the two teams, the Riverhawks outscored the White Buffaloes by a combined margin of 41-1.
“I believe that the game at Madras will be almost like an automatic win for us,” said Witter. “With that being said, I really think that we’ll probably finish our league schedule with an undefeated record, too.”
Following Friday’s contest, the Riverhawks will play their next home game May 18 at 4:30 p.m. against the Gladstone High Gladiators (4-4 TVC, 10-10 overall).
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