Saints 4-0 over weekend; face rival Cougars Tuesday

This year’s Saints softball team is going to be one to remember.

Now at 24-0, 6-0 South Region, Mt. Hood is tied for first in their division with the Clackamas Community College Cougars (25-1, 6-0).

Mt. Hood’s winning streak continues, and they are the lone undefeated team in the NWAACC. The Saints and Cougars are the only teams in the entire league with over 20 wins.

“Everyone on this team is selfless. They are the epitome of playing for the person next to you,” said head coach Meadow McWhorter. “They respect each other, care for one another and believe in each other.”

Mt. Hood is now an even bigger target for its rivals, McWhorter said. “We understand that every opponent is going to bring their ‘A’ game, so we need to control what we can control — our preparation, attitude and effort,” she said.

The Saints added four more wins to their record this past weekend when they traveled to Mt. Vernon, Wash., for the Crossover Tournament.

Mt. Hood defeated Highline Community College, Pierce Community College, Yakima Valley Community College and even Douglas College, who knocked them out of the NWAACC’s championship tournament last season.

Mt. Hood’s impressive 17-0 win last week against Clark College was arguably outdone Saturday with the Saints beating Highline, 24-4. Mt. Hood dismantled the Thunderbirds, recording 23 hits, scoring 12 runs in the third inning and eight more in the fifth. The game ended early due to the mercy rule. Freshman Kasidee Lemberger and sophomore Teauna Hughes both homered and had multi-hits, with Lemberger reaching base four times and Hughes three. Lemberger also hit two doubles. Freshmen SheaLee Lindsey and Kelsey Reams also had three hits apiece.

After that convincing win, the Saints earned a much closer win against Pierce, 10-5. Sophomore Ann-Marie Guischer picked up the win, tossing a complete game. She gave up nine hits and four earned runs but the strikeouts were the impressive stat, as she ended with 14. Sunday, the team picked up two more wins over Yakima Valley and Douglas College. The Saints got their revenge, beating Douglas 11-5.

Last year a 5-4 loss to Douglas ended the Saints’ postseason that held such high expectations and brought them the No. 1 overall seed in the NWAACC tournament, held in Portland’s Delta Park.

This time, sophomore Kristen Crawford earned the win, pitching a complete game in five innings, with all five of Douglas runs unearned. Crawford was able to get some personal payback, as she took the loss in last year’s tournament game with Douglas. Hughes’ six RBIs were huge, to go with her home run in the fourth inning. Lemberger also had three hits, and Lindsey’s three RBI’s that were crucial as well.

The Saints were highly successful last year, finishing 39-7, but this team’s strong start hints that this season could be even better.

“This team competes with one another, but also supports each other. They want to bring the title back to Mt. Hood. They play for each other,” said McWhorter.

A few Saints are also making their names known on the all-NWAACC stat leader list. Hughes is tied for first in home runs with 12, and she is third in RBIs with 41. Lemberger is third with a .590 batting average. Crawford is second in wins with 12, while she leads the NWAACC with a 1.08 ERA.

On Saturday, the Saints host Chemeketa Community College (16-11, 2-4) for a double-header starting at noon.

McWhorter says the team’s game plan is to stay focused and ready to play, no matter the opponent.

The Saints need to “play our game, have quality at-bats, keep their hitters off balance and (play) lights-out defense,” she said.

On Tuesday, the Saints travel to Clackamas to take on their top rival for two games, starting at 3 p.m. The Cougars are currently riding their own 20- game win streak, nearly as impressive as the Saints’ 24-game streak.