Surging Saints melt Penguins

The  (20-0, 6-0) Saints softball team continued its win streak to 20 on Wednesday with a double-header sweep in Vancouver, Wash., obliterating Clark College in Game One, 17-0, and then dominating in Game Two, 9-1.

Ironically with the high scores, Mt. Hood did not hit a home run in either game, but just got consistent hitting. In the opener, the Saints were on a roll starting in the first inning, scoring seven runs. They scored once more in the second inning, four times in the third and five times in the fourth.

Mt. Hood ended the game with 16 hits.

“I was pleased with our hitters. They hit quality pitches and had excellent at-bats,” said head coach Meadow McWhorter. “I was proud of our pitchers today; they did a great job using their defense.”

The Penguins only had one hit all game, as Saints sophomore Ann-Marie Guischer was dealing on the mound, pitching a complete game even though the game ended early due to the  mercy rule. She earned the win and got four strikeouts in her five innings.

Five different Saints hitters had a multi-hit game, including freshman SheaLee Lindsey who had three hits and sophomore Teauna Hughes, who finished with four hits.

In the second game, sophomore pitcher Nicole Kellams got the start and produced well in five innings pitched. She earned the win, giving up six hits and one run, plus two strikeouts. The Saints finished with 16 hits compared to Clark’s six. The game was scoreless until the third inning when Mt. Hood scored three runs, followed by six more runs in the fifth. Clark scored one in the bottom of the fifth, but it was already too late.

Last weekend, the Saints were tested against another conference opponent, Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC), but were able to come out winning both match-ups, 2-1 and 7-3.

The first game was a nail-biter, as the first run wasn’t scored in the game until the top of the sixth inning when the Lakers got a run off a Mt. Hood error. The Saints would go scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, putting the game on the line in the bottom of the seventh.

Freshmen Ashlee Mueller and Megan Reed hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Sophomore Morgan Entze then earned a walk. With the bases loaded, sophomore Laura Lesowske came up to bat but would end up being walked, which drove in the Saints’ first run. SWOCC then made  a pitching substitution, with the game in jeopardy.

Mt. Hood also made a substitution, as sophomore Bianca Hancock came in to pinch-hit for Lindsey. Hancock would eventually strike out, for the Saints’ first out. Freshman Kelsey Reams then hit into a fielder’s choice, with Reed getting thrown out heading to home base for the second out.

The game would end off an error by SWOCC. The Lakers’ third baseman couldn’t cleanly field a Hughes grounder, which allowed Entze to score, giving the Saints the comeback victory.

Sophomore pitcher Kristen Crawford earned the win, pitching a complete game after giving up one run, four hits and earning four strikeouts.

“I am very proud of how our team battled. These were two excellent softball teams. SWOCC is a program we have tremendous respect for, they are well coached and they are always tough. We earned these wins,” said McWhorter.

In the second game, the Saints were down in the beginning but were able to come back and after scoring three runs in the sixth inning were able to cruise to a 7-3 win. Reams and Lewowske had three hits apiece, while Enzte and freshman Kasidee Lemberger both hit doubles. Hughes hit a two-run homer in the third inning. Crawford earned another win, after coming in for starting pitcher Ann-Marie Guischer.

“The girls have showed tremendous resilience and have battled until the end,” said McWhorter. “It’s a confidence booster for our pitchers too, they know they don’t have to put zeros on the board every inning because we have the offense to back them up.

“Ann-Marie (Guischer) and Kristen (Crawford) have both thrown well for us. If Ann-Marie is struggling, Kristen steps up and if Kristen is struggling, Ann-Marie steps up. They are quite the duo on on mound.”

This weekend will be a busy one for the Saints as they head to Mt. Vernon, Wash., for the Sophomore Showcase and Crossover Tournament.

On Saturday, Mt. Hood opens against Highline Community College at 1 p.m. and then faces Pierce Community College at 3 p.m, with games at Mt. Vernon High School. The Sophomore Showcase begins at 7 p.m. with the South facing the East.

On Sunday, Mt. Hood takes on Douglas College at 2 p.m on field #4 at the Skagit Playfields. This will also be the first time that Mt. Hood has played Douglas since that team eliminated the Saints last season in the NWAACC tournament semi-finals.

McWhorter said this year’s Saints team is a remarkable group.

“This team really trusts one another and appreciates each other. I am having the time of my life coaching these young ladies, the wins are just the cherry on top. They are so special,” she said.