Softball team starts March off undefeated

The MHCC softball team started its pre-season strong, going 4-0 last weekend with wins over Yakima Valley Community College, Spokane Community College, Wenatchee Valley Community College and Blue Mountain Community College.

“We executed well at the plate, we kept hitters off balance and played well on defense,” said head coach Meadow McWhorter.

The team started against Blue Mountain and won 5-4. The Saints batted in three runs in the fifth inning, after trailing 4-2, and played well throughout the rest of the game to keep the lead. The three other games were won easily by MHCC, including a 13-4 victory over Yakima Valley.

“I expect big things out of our offense this year. We have tremendous power but we need to be aggressive, yet disciplined, at the plate,” McWhorter. “We have to hit the pitches we want to hit, not the pitches our opposition wants us to hit.”

The team had 14 hits in the opener against Blue Mountain. Freshman infielder Teauna Hughes had hits in all four at-bats, including a home run. Sophomore infielders Lola Ciu and Courtney McCarthy each had two hits in four at-bats. Winning pitcher Ann-Marie Guischer finished with a 2.33 ERA after allowing seven hits and four runs in four innings pitched.

In their second game, the Saints defeated Spokane, 10-2, scoring twice in the third and the sixth innings, and six more runs in the seventh. Offense was strong throughout the lineup as the team totaled 12 hits. Outfielder Maycee Abendschein knocked a three-run home run and finished with four RBIs. Kali Van Cleave, Bianca Hankcock, McCarthy and Ciu all had multiple hits. Freshman pitcher Kristen Crawford ended with a 0.50 ERA in seven innings pitched allowing two runs and five hits, with three strikeouts.

The Saints must play hard and smart, their coach said.

“We will continue to work on staying aggressive at the plate, hitting the ball where it is pitched, communication on defense and controlling what we can control,” said McWhorter.

The team is ranked third in the pre-season coaches poll, with Wenatchee Valley and Clackamas Community College ahead of them.

In all of her years leading the Saints, McWhorter said this year’s team stands out.

“This is one of the most driven teams I have ever coached,” said McWhorter.

In their third game, MHCC beat Wenatchee Valley 4-0, scoring two runs in each the fourth and fifth innings. The Saints had 10 hits; McCarthy had three hits in three at-bats. Hughes homered again and had two RBIs. Abendschein added two hits in three at-bats. Crawford finished the shutout, allowing three hits and striking out four in seven innings.

The Saints look to continue their hot start today through Sunday. They have three road games against Blue Mountain Community College, Walla Walla Community College and Columbia Basin Community College.

“This is a big weekend for Mt. Hood softball: six games in three days,” said McWhorter. “Going on the road to play three quality programs will be a good test for us. I am looking forward to this team continuing to come together, play for each other and leave it all on the field.”

Today’s game starts at 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday’s games start at noon.