Building for the future

The Dalles went 1-3 in pool play, with three consecutive losses against Washington programs from Othello, Ellensburg and Hoquiam.

Othello scored 16 of its first 19 runs in the first inning, and while Othello had the offense going, TD managed just one hit.

Justesen chalked it up to first-game jitters given the fact that only five of the 13 players returning had regional experience.

In the second game, The Dalles showed a little more offense, but Ellensburg scored six of its runs in the opening inning for a 12-2 victory.

Kaya Byrd, Lily Eby and Mercy Iaulualo each had base hits to pace the TD offense.

“Mercy hit a ball so hard that the shortstop, who reached up and snagged the ball, walked off holding her shoulder. That girl hits the ball hard,” Head Coach Justesen said.

TD scored a run in the first inning, as Madison Eby started the rally after being hit by a pitch. Makenna Wilcox then reached on an error, scoring Kaya Byrd.

In the third inning, Eby moved Kaya Byrd around the bases with a hit, and then Eby stole home to give TD its second run.

On Friday, July 17, The Dalles gave Hoquiam everything it could handle, but could not sustain enough of a rally in taking a 6-4 loss.

“With the first-day jitters out the way, the girls came alive this day,” Coach Hert said. “We had lots of hits, great pitching and fielding.”

Courtney Hert started the game off for TD with a leadoff walk and steals of second and third base.

Byrd then walked and Wilcox ripped an RBI infield single to plate Hert.

With Maggie Justesen and Anna Miller on base to start the second inning, Hert hit a two-run double to center to bring home Justesen and Miller.

Emily Harris, Lily Eby and Byrd were all issued walks to bring in Hert for the final TD run.

Later in the game, Iaulualo added a base hit, but was stranded.

Byrd picked up the loss from the circle, as she scattered six hits, walked one and struck out three.

Fueled by a spirited effort against Hoquiam earlier Friday, The Dalles battled back strong later in the day with a dramatic 10-9 extra-inning victory over Umpqua, as Byrd scored the eventual game-winning run on a steal of home.

In all, TD had 16 hits, as Courtney Hert spearheaded the offensive charge with a 4-for-4 performance, and Maggie Justesen tacked on three hits in her three at-bats with an RBI.

Byrd went 3-for-4 with two triples and two RBIs, Wilcox added a single, a double and an RBI and Madison Eby went 1-for-3 with a double.

The trio of Cadence Snyder, Lily Eby and Harris had a hit and an RBI apiece to round out the statistical leaders.

Courtney Hert had three strikeouts and three walks from the circle.

Coach Sallee-Justesen credited the defense for keeping the team within contention to earn the win.

“Maggie, Mercy and Emily did a great job covering the outfield,” Coach Justesen said. “Mercy had a great throw to third for an out to hold the runners. The girls played a tight infield.”

Coming off a 1-3 record in pool play, The Dalles kicked off bracket action last Saturday with another extra-inning nailbiter versus Umpqua, as Lily Eby stroked a game-winning double to score Byrd to give TD a 12-11 triumph.

Offensively, The Dalles posted a tournament-high 19 hits with Wilcox leading the way with three singles, a triple and two RBIs.

Byrd added four hits and two RBIs, Lily Eby totaled three hits, two doubles, and drove in a run, and Harris went 2-for-4 with a double, a single and an RBI.

Iaulualo and Courtney had two hits each, and the duo of Maggie Justesen and Madison Eby rapped out a single and an RBI apiece.

Byrd struck out four and walked seven in her complete-game from the circle to earn the win.

TD went on to lose its next bracket contest by a 10-4 score to Othello with the game close until Othello scored four unearned runs in the fourth inning on its way to a win.

TD started off with Hert, Eby, and Byrd each with base hits and Harris added a walk to give TD three quick runs.

Hert struck out two and walked five in picking up the loss.

“The Othello coaches were impressed with the second game against us,” Coach Justesen said. “They mentioned that we scared them in the first three innings and they had to use their No. 1 pitcher (12U pitchers can only pitch 9 innings in 2 consecutive games during the tournament).”

Playing high-pressure games for three days under extreme heat finally caught up to The Dalles in its tournament finale against Ellensburg, a 16-2 loss.

Ellensburg scored three runs in the first inning, and the pitching staff held The Dalles at bay.

TD could not register a hit in the game, but Iaulualo had a hard shot that nearly went over the fence, falling just short for an out.

This was the third year The Dalles Babe Ruth sent teams to the regional tournament against some top teams spanning seven states and provinces.

Hoquiam ended up winning the 12U title and will head to Orlando, Florida for Nationals next month.

“TD made a great appearance at the tournament, which is basically comparable to a Class A, ASA tournament,” Coach Justesen said. “They didn’t waver or hang their heads. Umpires and coaches alike gave kudos to this team. If you take out the first inning of the first game, the girls were right with the other teams in the first six games.”

Given the conditions, Coach Hert lauded the play of Madison Eby and Wilcox, both catchers, who handled the pitching of Courtney Hert and Byrd.

Iaulualo won an individual contest on Friday for the farthest hit ball, a 220-foot shot to centerfield.

Regardless of the final scores, Coach Hert and Justesen are hoping this team can use this tournament as a learning experience down the road.

“We are excited to see what lies ahead for these young players,” Coach Justesen said. “A fire was lit under several of them during this outing and I’m sure you will see more softball action from these girls in the future.”