Sitting at 20-3, Saints softball team holds second best record in NWAACC

After losing a nailbiter in game one of a doubleheader against Chemeketa Community College Wednesday 6-5, the softball team came back in game two with a dominating 9-3 win.

In game one, the Saints lost on a walk-off home in the bottom of the seventh. Although the Saints typically out-hit their opponents,  Chemeketa ended the game with 13 hits compared to 11 for the Saints. Freshman shortstop Teauna Hughes homered twice, in the first and sixth innings, but it wasn’t enough.

MHCC owned game two. Saints scored twice in the first, three times in the third, and twice in the sixth and the seventh. Sophomore pitcher Brittney Dawson pitched all seven innings and got the win. She is 6-0 on the season.

Saints now have a 20-3 overall record and 4-2 record in conference, with the losses coming to Chemeketa and Southwestern Community College.

“We do have a target on our back.  We focus on playing our game, working to get better every day and having a purpose in everything we do,” said head coach Meadow McWhorter.

McWhorter, in her 11th season as head coach, says it takes a lot of time and effort to be successful.

“We have worked hard to make this a program that players want to be a part of and they are proud of.  It is a family: once a Saint, always a Saint,” said McWhorter.

“No one can plan to be a three-time champion.  Every year, every team is different.  You work to make their weaknesses their strengths and their strengths stronger.  But most of all, they have to enjoy what they are doing,” she said.

“Our entire pitching staff has worked hard to take care of business in the circle.  Our pitchers complement one another well.  If one struggles, another one steps up.  They are a team within the team,” said McWhorter.

Hitting has also been a major factor in the team’s success, especially by Hughes, who leads the NWAACC with 14 home runs. She is hitting .500 in 22 games played.

“All of our players were good hitters when they came to the program. It’s our job to make them great.  They have worked extremely hard and they understand hitting.  They work to make adjustments quickly,” said McWhorter.

Even with having the best record in the Southern Region, McWhorter stays with a humbling mindset.

“We are not looking ahead.  We keep it simple, one pitch at a time.  Control what we can control. We do not focus on our record; we focus on one game at a time. We still have a long road ahead of us,” said McWhorter.

All of MHCC’s losses this year have been close: 2-1 against Bellevue Community College, 3-2 against Southwestern and 6-5 against Chemeketa.

According to McWhorter, the team has been working on game-like pressure situations in practice to be prepared for games.

On Saturday the team has a noon double-header at home against Clackamas Community College. Clackamas is 15-7 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

MHCC will play Lower Columbia on Tuesday at home in a 3 p.m. doubleheader.