The Dalles seniors, pictured from left to right, Ruthie Ford, Lori Cimmiyotti, Maddy Bradford, Alyssa Donnell and Grace Helyer played their final game Friday in a playoff loss to Lebanon. In four years, the Hawks have scored 7.2 runs a game. Contributed photo
The Dalles seniors, pictured from left to right, Ruthie Ford, Lori Cimmiyotti, Maddy Bradford, Alyssa Donnell and Grace Helyer played their final game Friday in a playoff loss to Lebanon. In four years, the Hawks have scored 7.2 runs a game. Contributed photo
Still feeling that pain in their hearts after Friday’s loss to Lebanon, there was a common philosophy talked about by The Dalles senior Grace Helyer, head coach Steve Garrett and junior Kathryn Bradford.
It encompasses much more than a win or loss – it is the bond and sisterhood of being a Riverhawk softball athlete.
Helyer, an all-league catcher and infielder, said the season ending loss was tough to take, especially given that there was a strong belief TD had a chance at winning a 5A state softball championship.
Nonetheless, she was happy to play on the same field with individuals she will call her friends forever.
“I am thankful for the opportunities we have been given,” Helyer said. “What has meant the most to me is the support I had from everyone and the team itself. I am looking forward to continuing my softball career, but will always cherish the memories made on TD’s softball field.”
Then there are the tears – of victory, of pain and of losses.
The long bus rides – and the conversations, the singing, the chants, pranks, talk of the latest gossip, of current news.
Bradford had the chance to work with Helyer and other seniors like Ruthie Ford, Alyssa Donnell, Lori Cimmiyotti and older sister, Maddy.
“These five seniors have taught me so much over the years and I’m really sad that this was the last season I get to spend with them, since they are like my sisters on and off the field,” Kathryn said. “It especially was hard to see my sister leave knowing that I will not get to be her centerfielder anymore.”
Still just a sophomore, Kathryn Bradford enjoyed a hitting and defensive surge in her first full season as a varsity player with a .506 batting average and a team-high 36 runs scored.
In less than two weeks, her sister and mentor, Maddy, is set to graduate.
Kathryn will remember all of the teaching moments the two of them had on a nightly basis.
The younger Bradford was able to soak in all of the knowledge and, as a junior next year, will fill a role as locker room leader, along with Kailin Hoylman, Sierra Watson and Jodi Thomasian.
“Maddy has taught me so many things, on and off the field, and it’s going to be hard next year not getting to be by her side throughout every win and loss we have,” Kathryn said.
“But, it was really special and a lot of fun to get to spend her last season with her,” she added.
In the past two seasons, this senior group has helped TD to a 34-22 record with 413 runs scored in those 56 games.
Quite a rebound from 2013 and 2014 when The Dalles scored 303 runs and went 20-34.
Softball is just one end of the spectrum, and Garrett envisions this senior group as being spiritual leaders and productive citizens in the community.
The long-time coach said that they are perennial all-stars in that regard.
“Whether it was Maddy and Ruthie’s leadership, Lori’s consistency and Grace’s toughness, battling through several nagging injuries to remain the backstop and Maddy’s battery mate, these seniors will all be dearly missed,” Garrett said. “Alyssa stepped in from a year off and helped us fill the second base spot. Each of the seniors brought a unique talent and value to the team that the younger players could all draw from.”
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