Uncategorized

Playoff games Wednesday as three softball teams qualify for state

Nyssa’s Brooklyn Johns hits the ball during a district playoff game against Enterprise/Joseph/Wallowa last weekend. Nyssa will face South Umpqua at 3 p.m. Wednesday in a state playoff contest. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell).

VALE – The Lady Vikings moved on to the state softball tournament but will not be the No. 1 seed from the Eastern Oregon League after Saturday’s district tournament.

Enterprise/Wallowa/Joseph defeated Nyssa and then edged out a slim victory against the Lady Vikings to clinch the No. 1 slot out of the league. Enterprise defeated Nyssa 15-5 in the first game of district play and then beat Vale 9-8.

Enterprise (14-9) was scheduled to host a first-round state playoff game Wednesday against No.10-ranked Yamhill-Carlton (13-15).

Nyssa and Vale both faced road trips after the district tournament. Nyssa (13-10) was scheduled to play fourth-ranked South Umpqua (20-5) at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Myrtle Creek.

The No. 11-ranked Lady Vikings (15-10) were to play sixth-ranked Taft Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Lincoln City.

The Lady Vikings carried a perfect 12-0 league mark into the last game of the district tournament Saturday but faced a determined Enterprise squad.

“Enterprise came out ready to play and hit the ball well,” said Cirbi Morrison, Vale coach.

The Vikings played well too, said Morrison.

“We really didn’t make any mistakes or big errors. Enterprise made plays. They played well and we played well,” said Morrison.

Alexys Rodgers smacked a two-run home run for the Vikings while Isabella Sigrah was three-for-four at the plate. Morrison also said that pitcher Demia Hardin put in a solid performance.

“Her change up was working well and it froze Enterprise several times,” said Morrison.

Morrison said the game was close the whole way.

“They would score two runs and then we’d score two runs. They would score and we would answer back,” said Morrison.

Across the county in Ontario, the Tigers swept past Molalla 6-1 in a state softball play-in contest Saturday. Ontario (15-10) was to travel to Eugene Wednesday for a first-round playoff game against fifth-ranked Marist Catholic (23-3). The Tigers are ranked No. 12.

 For the latest news, follow the Enterprise on Facebook and Twitter.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNDERWRITE VITAL REPORTING — The Malheur Enterprise increasingly relies on reader subscriptions to fund its operations. For $5 a month, you get breaking news alerts, emailed newsletters and around-the-clock access to our stories. We depend on subscribers to pay for in-depth, accurate news produced by a professional and highly trained staff. Help us grow and get better with your subscription. Sign up HERE.