Southern Oregon Softball Named Team of the Week
(Excerpts from Josh McDermott, SOU Sports Information)
LA GRANDE, Ore. –The Southern Oregon University softball team has been named the “Team of the Week” for April 30-May 6 the Cascade Collegiate Conference announced.
After capturing the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular-season title, the top-seeded Raiders (44-12) added a second trophy as CCC Tournament Champions. SOU went undefeated (3-0) in the three-day, double-elimination tournament, culminating with a 7-5 victory over surprise runner-up and fourth-seed Eastern Oregon (26-22) on Sunday.
The Southern offense hammered through the CCC tourney competitors hitting .400 (35 of 85) with five doubles, two triples and a home run. A solid Raider defense was led by All-CCC pitcher Gabby Sandoval who picked up two wins in three appearances with a 4.0 ERA while striking out eight.
Game 1 – Friday, May 4 – #8 Southern Oregon 5, British Columbia 2
Southern’s Hannah Shimek went 3-for-3, Rebecca Velasquez went 2-for-3, and Hannah Wessel and Avery Morehead-Hutsell both doubled with an RBI and a run scored. Sandoval pitched all seven innings for the complete game win. Giving up just the two runs while scattering nine T-Bird hits.
Game 2 – Saturday, May 5 – #8 Southern Oregon 13, #12 Corban 5 (6 inn.)
Kelsey Randall went 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and two runs. The 12th-ranked Warriors (35-12) went through five pitchers after jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning that evaporated in SOU's six-run second inning. Trailing 4-2, CCC Player of the Year Harlee Donovan put the No. 8 Raiders (43-12) up for good with a grand slam to the opposite field -- her ninth home run of the season.
Game 3 – Sunday, May 6 - #8 Southern Oregon 7, Eastern Oregon 5 (Championship)
Sandoval (22-6) pitched 5 2/3 innings to get the decision for SOU. She was relieved at the start of the fifth by Morgan Jones but re-entered with one out in the six, ultimately allowing five hits, three walks and two runs. With runners on first and second and two out in the seventh, she induced a harmless popup to end it.
Next up for the Raiders will be to host one of the ten NAIA National Championship Opening Round tournaments. Other opening round locations include: Bowling Green, Ky., Fayette, Mo., Dodge City, Kan., Lawrenceville, Ga., Columbia, Ky., Gulf Shores, Ala., Oklahoma City, Okla., and Hattiesburg, Miss.
As the CCC’s second automatic berth winners, Eastern will now wait for their placing. Corban will also hope to continue its post-season and be selected as an at-large team to the 40-team field. The NAIA will announce those 10 four-team tournament participants on Tuesday, May 8.