THE DALLES — The Dalles High Riverhawks extended their win streak to four straight after sweeping an OSAA Class 4A baseball non-league doubleheader over the Cascade High Cougars, 7-3 and 2-1, April 4 at Quinton Street Ballpark in The Dalles.
The No. 12-ranked Riverhawks (6-3), guided by fifth-year Coach Pat Clark, were seeking to extend their win streak in an April 7 nonleague road game versus the Pendleton High Buckaroos (5-6).
“It was a hard fought win against Cascade for sure, particularly in Game 2 when we didn’t get any hits through the first six innings,” said Clark.
Led by senior starting pitcher Evan Ortega, the Riverhawks dominated the first contest, jumping out to a 7-0 lead after four innings. The Cougars responded by scoring three runs over the next two innings for the final margin. The Riverhawks outhit the Cougars 6-5, and they took advantage of six Cascade errors to help them get the victory.
Game two was a pitcher’s duel without much offense by either squad, as both had two hits. Following four scoreless frames at the outset of the game, the Cougars scored a run in the fifth to take the initial advantage.
The young Riverhawks bounced back, scoring a run in the seventh. Then, following a scoreless eighth, the Riverhawks pulled out the narrow come-from-behind 2-1 win in the bottom of the ninth when Ortega scored from third base on a walk-off passed ball by the Cougars.
“There were some weird things that happened in the second game,” said Clark. “In the top of the ninth, they had baserunners on second and third with no outs. Our left-handed sophomore pitcher, Daylee Miller, then was able to get two strikeouts to help us come back and put us in position to get the victory.”
For the game-winner, Ortega reached on a single, advanced to second on a Cougar error, then stole third base. Ortega is one of just two seniors, along with Hunter Bustos.
“We’re playing well and we’re kind of hot right now,” said Clark. “Even though we have such a young team, I think the biggest thing is they all understand and believe that we can win games in different ways, and they’re having fun. We’ve had outstanding pitching and we’ve played really good defense in the last four games, which has been a key to our win streak.”
The Riverhawks will play their next nonleague game April 10, a 2 p.m. home doubleheader versus the Class 2A Knappa High Loggers (2-4).
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