TD softball restores order in hot fashion

Kathryn Bradford, Grace Helyer and Maddy Bradford stroked two hits apiece, and the No. 9-ranked Riverhawks erased a 3-0 first-inning deficit with nine unanswered runs to secure a 9-3 victory Tuesday in a league matchup against No. 3 Hermiston.

“This is definitely the turning point,” Helyer said. “We see that what we do now is going to impact the rest of our season. We know it is make-or-break time. These last few games are going to determine what the end factor is. I am real excited to see what we do. Everything before was this good competition and it prepared us for anything that is thrown our way. Now, we will see how far we can go from here.”

Hermiston (11-6 overall, 2-1 league) led 3-1 through the first three innings, but the Riverhawks took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth frame, using Kailin Hoylman and Kathryn Bradford to jumpstart the offense.

Both players reached safely, and then Ruthie Ford got on the basepaths due to an error, allowing Hoylman to score to make it 3-2.

Helyer cashed in Bradford and Ford with a two-run double to left field, and Maddy Bradford notched an RBI single to plate Helyer from third base to give TD a 4-3 advantage.

Still ahead by one run in the top of the sixth, Hermiston strung together three hits, but Maddy Bradford settled in and was able to use the play of her defense to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.

The senior right-hander struck out Kiersten Miller on three pitches to escape the jam.

Hermiston’s missed opportunity paved the way for the Riverhawks, who padded their lead with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to open the game.

“We kept waiting for this dam to break,” said TD head coach Steve Garrett. “It was a matter of time before we figured it out and put some good swings on the ball. We were finally able to get things going and we had some good hits out there. It was nice to finally see this group of girls make an adjustment, stick to the plan and execute it.”

Helyer had two RBIs to go with her two hits, Maddy Bradford added three RBIs and two runs, Ford and Hoylman scored a run apiece, and the duo of Jodi Thomasian and Alyssa Donnell posted a walk and a run scored.

In all, TD (12-5, 1-2) had eight hits, and capitalized on six Hermiston errors.

Maddy Bradford tossed a complete-game, five-hitter with six strikeouts and no walks.

She was also helped in the field by Sierra Watson at shortstop, Helyer at catcher, Ford at third base, Donnell at second base and Thomasian at first base.

In the seventh inning, Lori Cimmiyotti made a diving catch in left field to prevent a leadoff hit.

“As a pitcher, it is a great to know I can rely on my defense. That I can trust everyone,” said Maddy Bradford. “Even if I miss a spot or if they hit it, I am not worried because I know my teammates will make the plays. I can just focus on my pitches and what I am doing to keep us in the game. They hustled out there and were really good. I am thankful for them.”

Now, the big test for the Riverhawks is a league doubleheader starting at noon Saturday at 16th Street Ballpark against No. 4 Pendleton (13-3, 2-1).

TD has lost 10 consecutive games to Pendleton and has been outscored 99-19 in that span.

The last time The Dalles defeated Pendleton was on April 20, 2013, as Morgan Triperinas hit a grand slam home run to help lead the team to victory.

“We can’t let last year or the year before be what we are focusing on,” Helyer said of the Pendleton rivalry. “We have to move forward and we just got to stay relaxed and calm. Once we stay in tune to how we play and stay within ourselves, we can play our game and compete. Pendleton is a very good hitting team and a good defensive team. I feel like they are going to give us a run for our money, but if we can stay in there, we can definitely give ourselves a chance.”