Green bids farewell to Saints after two stong years

After two spectacular seasons with the Saints, star sophomore catcher Mercedes Green will say her goodbyes to Mt. Hood, a school that made her childhood dreams a reality.

“When I was little, I knew that I wanted to play college softball, but I never thought it was really possible,” said the 5-foot, 10-inch power hitter, who recorded a team-best 10 home runs, along with 45 RBIs in 2015.

“I started out with tee ball and moved up to Little League and then I was on ASA (Amateur Softball Association). ASA was really competitive so I started getting a feel for it and that’s when I really realized that I might be able to play,” Green said.

She began to really excel in softball while playing for Springfield High School in Springfield, Oregon. She was a four-year letter winner and was named first team all-league three times and second team all-league the other year.

With all the success Green had at Springfield High, she began contacting college coaches. It wasn’t until she played in a summer league that she found her perfect fit, however: Mt. Hood.

“There were three other girls (Chelsea Spanier, Sierra Benson, and Kelsey Reams) on my summer ball team that were coming here to (Mt. Hood CC). They talked about how much they loved it. The coach seemed really nice. It just seemed like the right fit for me,” she said.

Last year, in her first year as a Saint, Green started as catcher for the eventual NWAC-champion Saints. She and her teammates were able to take down South Region foe Clackamas CC, 4-2, in the title game. She played a vital role, hitting a three-run homer after the Saints were trailing, 2-0, to turn the game around.

Green won’t soon forget about that home run.

She gives a lot of credit to Saints head coach Meadow McWhorter and her teammates for having the same goal in mind: win.

“I like how the littlest thing can change the game dramatically,” Green said of the Saints’ tight focus. ”One little hit could end the game.”

As a catcher, Green enjoys all the responsibilities that she has. Be it calling a pitch, catching the ball, or throwing it back, she is always doing something.

Academically, she is close to earning her Associates of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree, and would like to pursue a degree in the medical field.

Her brother, Levi, is someone that she looks up to, she said. “Even though I was little, I always wanted to do what he wanted to do. He always wanted to play sports” and so did she, she said. “I just always looked up to him.”

Green spoke on what it’s like playing under McWhorter. “I love it. I love her competitiveness. She’s always out to win no matter what we’re doing. Even in the littlest games she expects everyone to be at their top game.

“I also like how she’s like a second mom to everyone on the team,” she said. “You can go to her no matter what it is and she’ll help you. She’s always there for anyone.”

McWhorter spoke highly of Green both as a player and a person.

“Mercedes is a player who, when she walks off the field can always say she left it all on the field,” she said. “She is a phenomenal leader. She has excellent game smarts. She is someone who I have loved to coach, and we are going to miss her so much.”

Green’s impact can be seen through the praise of teammates. “She (is) such a great catcher. She (is) not only a great athlete, but also a great team leader,” said Saints freshman pitcher Kelly Scott.

“Mercedes was the general on the field. I appreciated her as my catcher and as a great example who taught me and the other freshmen how to be a Saint,” Scott said.

Next, Green hopes to continue playing softball at a four-year university. She is leaning towards signing with Western Oregon University in Monmouth, after receiving some interest from various schools, she said.