Softball looks to improve toward NWAACCs

The Lady Saints split a doubleheader against Clark College at home Saturday.

Game one against the Penguins remained scoreless until the third inning when the Saints put a run on the board. They scored three more runs in the fourth inning and five in the sixth inning to win the game 9-0.

Sophomore pitcher Rhianna Russell allowed four hits and had 10 strikeouts. Maikala Galusha had three hits, including a homer and four runs batted in. Maycee Abendschein also had a home run and four runs batted in.

Game two was close with both teams scoring early. Clark got a run in the first inning, which the Saints echoed in the second inning. Both teams scored in the third inning tying the game. But Clark put another run on the board in the sixth inning and got the 3-2 win after a scoreless seventh inning.
Freshman pitcher Brittney Dawson allowed seven hits and had three strikeouts. Four Saints each had a pair of hits in the losing cause.

Galusha said of the last few games, “We’ve had our good points and our bad points.” She said the team is “starting to come together, just waiting for our breakout games.”

Asked what has contributed to recent wins and losses Galusha said, “We had strong hitting in the games we won and weaker hitting in the games we lost.” She said she feels she has done her job for the most part but that “there are always things to work on that makes me want to work that much harder during practices.”

MHCC remains fourth in the South Region with a 6-6 record (15-13 overall). They trail Southwestern Oregon (12-2), Clackamas (11-3) and Lower Columbia College (8-4).

Galusha said, “I hope we’ll improve and grow a stronger bond by the time NWAACCs roll around and that we peak at the right time. How we do in the Southern Region doesn’t matter when we enter the tournament. Those games only count toward the championship. League doesn’t matter unless you win it all at this point.”

An April 26 doubleheader against Linfield was postponed.

The Saints were scheduled to play a doubleheader Thursday in Salem against the Chemeketa Community College Storm, but results were unavailable at press time.

The Saints are scheduled to travel to Lower Columbia College Saturday for a doubleheader at noon. The Saints will meet the Clackamas Community College Cougars Wednesday at home for another doubleheader scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

Advocate Staff