With a roster of one senior, five juniors and eight underclassmen, The Dalles Riverhawks won 15 games, the most in three seasons, and had seven players pick up all-Columbia River Conference recognition by opposing coaches.
Maddy Bradford, Sierra Watson, Hannah Harris and Ruthie Ford received first-team bids, and the trio of Morgan Goslin, Kailin Hoylman and Jodi Thomasian had their names called for second-team recognition.
“I thought we were well-represented for all-league. There were several girls who earned this,” said TD head coach Steve Garrett. “I am happy for all of them.”
From the circle, Bradford, the junior right-hander, had two wins against Hermiston and in TD’s last league game at Hood River Valley on May 15, she retired Hood River Valley in order in the bottom of the seventh frame on 10 pitches and allowed two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks in the Hawks’ 9-6 victory.
When batting, Bradford had a .417 batting average with a team-high four home runs, 11 RBIs, four doubles, eight runs scored and a .861 slugging percentage.
More than the numbers, Garrett lauded Bradford’s leadership.
“Maddy kept us in a lot of games when she pitched and she was a big threat for us offensively,” the Riverhawk coach said. “She’s a player who was really stepped up her play this season. I am looking forward to seeing what she could bring to this team next year.”
When the calendar flipped to late April and May, Watson swung a hot bat to lead the state’s 12th-ranked offense which scored 181 runs in 27 games.
In nine games, the Hawk sophomore went 14 for 23 for a .609 batting average with three home runs, three doubles and a team-high 14 RBIs. She struck out just once in her 23 at-bats and posted a team-leading 1,130 slugging percentage.
In a doubleheader sweep of Hood River Valley on May 1 by scores of 13-8 and 8-7, Watson earned the win from the circle in both games and also added five hits in six at-bats, including a three-run home run in the first game and a grand slam in the nightcap.
“Sierra struggled from the plate early in the season, but she didn’t get down, she kept working off the tee,” Garrett said. “She started ripping the ball all over the field and just had her stroke working for her. It is good to see her work ethic rewarded.”
After being saddled with back issues in 2014, Harris came back with a vengeance in her junior campaign and health equaled a trip back on the first-team list.
The leadoff slap hitter rapped out 20 hits in 40 at-bats for a .500 average with six doubles, a triple, 10 RBIs and a team-high five stolen bases.
The junior scored nine runs and was on base 52 percent of the time.
In the two-game sweep over HRV on May 1, Harris notched five hits, scored three runs and drove in four runs.
“Hannah was the catalyst for this team. Whenever we needed a spark or big play, Hannah was always there to deliver,” Garrett said. “There were several games where she was our best player. She brings an ability to hit the ball everywhere on the field and if we need a stolen base or someone take an extra base, she was able to do it. She is a great player and she will only get better from here.”
Another junior standout first-team athlete was Ford, who held down centerfield with her solid defense and cannon for an arm.
When she wasn’t patrolling all of the green grass in the outfield, Ford did a solid job on offense from her No. 2 spot in the batting order.
Ford posted a .326 batting average and had a .465 slugging percentage in 43 league at-bats.
The centerfielder finished with 14 hits, five going for extra bases, and she scored seven runs, drove in seven and just two strikeouts.
“Ruthie had a good season, not the best, but she is deserving of all league,” Garrett said. “If she is not so hard on herself and lets the game just come to her, her batting average probably could have been around .400 or .500. She has all of the ability. I think she is going to come out and show it next year, as long as she is willing to put in the work.”
As a sophomore, Hoylman steadily showed progress from the batter’s box from her No. 9 spot and in right field.
Garrett said Hoylman’s speed is her biggest asset. She has the ability to beat out groundballs to shortstop and second base when she can make consistent contact.
Hoylman had 10 hits in 23 at-bats for a .435 batting average, third-best.
She scored seven runs, received two walks, drove in a run and reached base 48 percent of the time.
“I think Kailin is going to be a huge weapon for us in the next two years,” Garrett said. “She wants to get better and she wants to help the team win. If she stays with it, I know she will keep making all-league teams.”
Thomasian, a freshman shortstop, first baseman and pitcher, is on track to being a power threat and stout defender in the future.
Thomasian had nine hits in 28 at-bats for a .321 average with two doubles, two triples and eight RBIs. The freshman scored nine runs, received six walks and went 2 for 2 in stolen bases.
“Jodi is a ball player, plain and simple,” Garrett said. “She plays great defense and is not afraid to let a ball hit her and she is not afraid of getting dirty making a diving stop. Her offense is going to come around. She has a strong work ethic that will open the door for her to blossom offensively. I am excited about her.”
The lone senior on the roster, Goslin, led The Dalles in walks, tied for third in on-base percentage, third in slugging percentage and tied for second in hits.
Goslin, who has signed on to play collegiately at Big Bend Community College, had 15 hits in 37 at-bats for a .405 average with four extra base hits and seven RBIs. She scored eight runs and reached base 50 percent of the time.
“I was thankful to have her on this team for four years,” Garrett said. “I look forward to seeing how she will do at the next level.”
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