Josie Dickson has at times played in the shadow of hitters like Ashley Feltz and Maranda Hanson. However, it was her turn to shine in the spotlight as she went 3 for 3 at the plate, harvesting 4 RBIs and scoring a run as the Elmira rebounded from late season losses to punish Newport 11-1 in the five inning play in contest. The Lady Falcons return to the play offs with a first round date on the road Wednesday May 22 at third ranked Banks.
Ashley Feltz chipped in two hits and two RBI's as well as a sacrifice.
Newport never was in the game, falling behind 7-0 before tallying a single run on a double by Kalea Blodgett. They struggled because the hard throwing Hanson never let them off the mat. Hanson twirled a glistening one hitter, giving up only the double to Blodgett and that single run. She did throw 4 walks, one of which scored and only threw four strikeouts. However, she never seemed threatened and was playing with house money with a 7 run lead.
While Banks is the third ranked team in the state they have endured six losses this season and are by no means an unbeatable team, especially if Hanson is in a groove and the top of the batting order gets some support from rest of the line up. The boys baseball team will open the playoffs the same day at Banks. First pitch for the girls is 4PM Wednesday.
Showing posts with label Ashley Feltz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ashley Feltz. Show all posts
Monday, May 20, 2019
Friday, May 10, 2019
Streaking Falcons Make Postseason Push in Softball
After suffering a dismal pounding from third ranked Junction City two weeks ago as well as the loss of JV pitcher Imari Gabica to injury, the Lady Falcons softball team found themselves at 11-7 and outside the possibility of the play in games. Ah... what a soothing balm a 5 game winning streak can be.
Coming off the deck from the bludgeoning that the Lady Tigers took to them, Courtney Haffner took the rubber against Cottage Grove on the road and was spectacular going all the way in a shortened 5 inning game. Haffner wound up giving up a stingy 2 hits and collecting 8 strikeouts with her baffling off speed pitches. 76% of Haffner's pitches went for strikes. Meanwhile, Maranda Hanson and Ashley Feltz both homered as part of a brutal 16 hit attack that also feasted on 8 Lady Leo walks as Elmira punished Cottage Grove 19-0.
Elmira then pulled off a stunning road upset of Thurston 11-10. Hanson got the win and needed to pitch her best because her teammates committed 5 errors, 3 in the second inning that helped stake Thurston to an early 5-1 lead.
But the Lady Falcons' murderer's row answered in the top of the third. Hanson doubled, followed by Feltz, who also doubled, scoring Hanson in front of her. Then Cheyenne White crushed a 2 run homer over the left field fence scoring Feltz and drawing Elmira within one.
In a back and forth contest by two heavyweight teams, Elmira wrestled the lead away for good in the sixth inning when Madison Wisner walked to open the inning enabling the top of the order to come to the plate. After a Carly Grossmiller ground out, Hanson doubled again, scoring Wisner. Back to back doubles by White and Josie Dickson gave the Falcons a lead they would never loose.
Hanson then took control winning the next three consecutive games including a sweep of a road double header against Marshfield 16-9 and 7-3. Dickson jolted a 3 run homer in the first inning to set the table for Hanson's win.
Finally, Hanson was again solid in a final road win against Siuslaw. She gave up only 1 earned run, going the full 7 innings and tallying 12 Ks in the 12-1 victory. The win saw Carly Grossmiller step up as the offensive hero, moving into the lead off position and going 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 4 runs scored.
So now it comes down to Friday, May 10, as 8th ranked Marist comes in with a 20-3 mark in virtual tie with Junction City for the league championship. Both teams are assured of a playoff spot. A sweep of the Lady Pirates would almost guarantee that Elmira would probably rise in the rankings and secure a home field play in game next week. A split will probably keep them in the remaining top 8 in 4A. Two losses could spell an early summer for the softball this year.
Coming off the deck from the bludgeoning that the Lady Tigers took to them, Courtney Haffner took the rubber against Cottage Grove on the road and was spectacular going all the way in a shortened 5 inning game. Haffner wound up giving up a stingy 2 hits and collecting 8 strikeouts with her baffling off speed pitches. 76% of Haffner's pitches went for strikes. Meanwhile, Maranda Hanson and Ashley Feltz both homered as part of a brutal 16 hit attack that also feasted on 8 Lady Leo walks as Elmira punished Cottage Grove 19-0.
Elmira then pulled off a stunning road upset of Thurston 11-10. Hanson got the win and needed to pitch her best because her teammates committed 5 errors, 3 in the second inning that helped stake Thurston to an early 5-1 lead.
But the Lady Falcons' murderer's row answered in the top of the third. Hanson doubled, followed by Feltz, who also doubled, scoring Hanson in front of her. Then Cheyenne White crushed a 2 run homer over the left field fence scoring Feltz and drawing Elmira within one.
In a back and forth contest by two heavyweight teams, Elmira wrestled the lead away for good in the sixth inning when Madison Wisner walked to open the inning enabling the top of the order to come to the plate. After a Carly Grossmiller ground out, Hanson doubled again, scoring Wisner. Back to back doubles by White and Josie Dickson gave the Falcons a lead they would never loose.
Hanson then took control winning the next three consecutive games including a sweep of a road double header against Marshfield 16-9 and 7-3. Dickson jolted a 3 run homer in the first inning to set the table for Hanson's win.
Finally, Hanson was again solid in a final road win against Siuslaw. She gave up only 1 earned run, going the full 7 innings and tallying 12 Ks in the 12-1 victory. The win saw Carly Grossmiller step up as the offensive hero, moving into the lead off position and going 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 4 runs scored.
So now it comes down to Friday, May 10, as 8th ranked Marist comes in with a 20-3 mark in virtual tie with Junction City for the league championship. Both teams are assured of a playoff spot. A sweep of the Lady Pirates would almost guarantee that Elmira would probably rise in the rankings and secure a home field play in game next week. A split will probably keep them in the remaining top 8 in 4A. Two losses could spell an early summer for the softball this year.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Gabica Rolls to First Win of Doubleheader; Falcons Almost Stumble in Nightcap
Imari Gabica was splendid as an off the bench starter scattering 2 hits and striking out 7 as Elmira's softball team cruised to an easy 13-1 victory over lowly Siuslaw, Thursday April 11 at Elmira High School. Gabica received more than enough help as Carly Grossmiller, from her 9 spot in the order, rang up 4 hits and 4 RBI's as the Lady Falcons raised their record to 10-4 on the season
The second game however was a completely different story as star pitcher Maranda Hanson found herself in jam after jam to the Lady Vikings as Siuslaw was spotted a 5-run lead after 3 and half innings. However, Siuslaw pitching found the going no smoother than Hanson did. Vikings' pitcher Nina Aaron was blistered by Falcon hitters as they rocked the junior hurler for 17 hits including Ashley Feltz's fifth home run of the season. Feltz was 3 for 5 in the game with 3 RBIs. It spelled a raucous and unlikely 11-10 squeaker over Siuslaw to sweep the double header.
Despite rallying for 6 runs in the fourth and fifth innings, Siuslaw took the lead in the top of the sixth inning when Hanson walked the lead off batter, the pitcher's nemesis. Pinch runner Angela Bartlett advanced to third on a fielder's choice and an error by Feltz. Lita Figueroa cashed in the walk and error by slapping a single into center field to tie the game at 10.
The Lady Falcons rallied again in the bottom of the inning. Sarah Stout crushed a double into the center field alley, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Deja Rhodes singled into center. Hanson then retired the side in order to set all things right again.
Still it was the Elmira bats that carried the day. The 24 runs scored in the double header made the Lady Falcons the sixth highest scoring team in 4A so far this season. The road ahead does not get easier. Up next for 11-4 Elmira is a road test against sixth ranked Marist Catholic. A victory would thrust Elmira into the playoff conversation in a visceral way with a 4 more games with Marist and league leader Junction city; two double headers that will be played here at Elmira High School. That is if the Lady Falcons can avoid stubbing their toes against the lower tiered teams in the second half of league play.
The second game however was a completely different story as star pitcher Maranda Hanson found herself in jam after jam to the Lady Vikings as Siuslaw was spotted a 5-run lead after 3 and half innings. However, Siuslaw pitching found the going no smoother than Hanson did. Vikings' pitcher Nina Aaron was blistered by Falcon hitters as they rocked the junior hurler for 17 hits including Ashley Feltz's fifth home run of the season. Feltz was 3 for 5 in the game with 3 RBIs. It spelled a raucous and unlikely 11-10 squeaker over Siuslaw to sweep the double header.
Despite rallying for 6 runs in the fourth and fifth innings, Siuslaw took the lead in the top of the sixth inning when Hanson walked the lead off batter, the pitcher's nemesis. Pinch runner Angela Bartlett advanced to third on a fielder's choice and an error by Feltz. Lita Figueroa cashed in the walk and error by slapping a single into center field to tie the game at 10.
The Lady Falcons rallied again in the bottom of the inning. Sarah Stout crushed a double into the center field alley, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Deja Rhodes singled into center. Hanson then retired the side in order to set all things right again.
Still it was the Elmira bats that carried the day. The 24 runs scored in the double header made the Lady Falcons the sixth highest scoring team in 4A so far this season. The road ahead does not get easier. Up next for 11-4 Elmira is a road test against sixth ranked Marist Catholic. A victory would thrust Elmira into the playoff conversation in a visceral way with a 4 more games with Marist and league leader Junction city; two double headers that will be played here at Elmira High School. That is if the Lady Falcons can avoid stubbing their toes against the lower tiered teams in the second half of league play.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Lady Falcons Maul Marshfield then Get Thumped by 6th Ranked Sweet Home
Elmira's softball team extended their win streak to three games with a third consecutive 5 inning decision, this one a workmanlike 12-2 victory over visiting Marshfield. Unlike the previous two games, this wasn't decided until a rally in the fifth garnered the 10 run advantage to end the game. Ashley Feltz continued to have the hot bat, hitting a laser beam line drive home run in the first inning and having a sparkling 4 for 4 afternoon with 4 RBIs. Maranda Hanson picked up the victory going the shortened distance giving up 2 runs on 3 hits including a home run to Marshfield's Sterling Williams. The win was Elmira's third straight. In that span the Lady Falcons outscored their opponents 64-4.
However, the quality of opponent stepped up as the Lady Falcons played a make up road game at 6th ranked Sweet Home, Wednesday April 17 at Sweet Home High School. The game, sloppy at times, took on the air of a prize fight, with each team taking turns laying hay makers to each other. There were 7 errors in the game. An additional nuance to the game was a seemingly moving strike zone by the home plate umpire that took pitchers out of their game. Hanson and Sweet Home's Ashtyn Walker, normally strong, strike out pitchers, both found their control inexplicably absent during the game. Both teams pitching combined for nine walks.
Leading 2-1 after one and a half, the Lady Huskies batted around in the bottom of the inning, scoring 5 runs, aided by 2 walks, 2 errors and three singles. Hanson got through the third undamaged which led to the Elmira retaliation in the fourth inning where the Lady Falcons tallied a six spot to tie the game at 7. The big hit was a deep fly ball to center by Hanson who reached on an error by the Sweet Home center fielder scoring two runs. Again, the huge rally was helped by 2 walks and 2 errors.
The Falcons couldn't hold the game however. In the fifth inning, a Hanson mistake cost her. A hit batter came around to score, along with a second run after three singles in the inning to make the score 9-7. Elmira tried to rally in the sixth getting Carly Grossmiller and Ashley Feltz aboard but were shut down when Sarah Stroud went down swinging for the third out. Three more singles in the bottom of the inning for the Lady Huskies added two runs to make it 11-7 and Elmira went quietly in the 7th inning to end the game.
Siuslaw comes to town Thursday April 18 for a double header at Elmira High School.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Lady Falcons Roll to 3-0 Record, Seize #1 Ranking in 4A
Junior pitcher Maranda Hanson fired 8 strikeouts in a workmanlike, strong performance as the Elmira softball team cruised to a 6-1 non-league road victory over Creswell. The victory after two previous in the week, propelled the Lady Falcons to the #1 ranking in 4A for softball.
Despite the fact that game was close through 5 innings, Elmira never seemed to be out of control in a a game they never trailed. This was even during Creswell's only real threat mounted in the 4th inning. After being staked to a 2-0 lead on three Lady Bulldog errors, Creswell rallied against Hanson, who had pitched three innings of no-hit ball. A lead off double, an infield hit, and a hit batter loaded the bases with no outs. Hanson settled down and struck out the next batter, surrendered a single run on a fielder's choice ground out, and then struck out the final batter of the inning to snuff out the rally and hold the lead. Creswell would not threaten again.
The Lady Falcons' bats were slow to warm up, aided by some questionable umpiring that vexed both teams. However, Elmira erupted in the sixth inning when they got a run on a lead off homer by Ashley Feltz who crushed a line drive deep over the left field fence. After a walk and a hit batter, Carly Grossmiller cashed both runners in with a sharp 2-run single to make it 5-1. Feltz played add on in the 7th, when she rapped an RBI single, scoring Cheyanne White who led off the last inning with a hard double.
The story of the game though wound up being Hanson's complete control of the game. After putting down the Creswell rally, she gave up no hits, scattering two in the game. Hanson was 17 of 25 on first pitch strikes and has 24 strike outs already this season.
The Lady Falcons will participate in the Sandy Softball Tournament next week. Any parents who are attending the tournament feel free to share photos for publication and photo credits.
Despite the fact that game was close through 5 innings, Elmira never seemed to be out of control in a a game they never trailed. This was even during Creswell's only real threat mounted in the 4th inning. After being staked to a 2-0 lead on three Lady Bulldog errors, Creswell rallied against Hanson, who had pitched three innings of no-hit ball. A lead off double, an infield hit, and a hit batter loaded the bases with no outs. Hanson settled down and struck out the next batter, surrendered a single run on a fielder's choice ground out, and then struck out the final batter of the inning to snuff out the rally and hold the lead. Creswell would not threaten again.
The Lady Falcons' bats were slow to warm up, aided by some questionable umpiring that vexed both teams. However, Elmira erupted in the sixth inning when they got a run on a lead off homer by Ashley Feltz who crushed a line drive deep over the left field fence. After a walk and a hit batter, Carly Grossmiller cashed both runners in with a sharp 2-run single to make it 5-1. Feltz played add on in the 7th, when she rapped an RBI single, scoring Cheyanne White who led off the last inning with a hard double.
The story of the game though wound up being Hanson's complete control of the game. After putting down the Creswell rally, she gave up no hits, scattering two in the game. Hanson was 17 of 25 on first pitch strikes and has 24 strike outs already this season.
The Lady Falcons will participate in the Sandy Softball Tournament next week. Any parents who are attending the tournament feel free to share photos for publication and photo credits.
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