District champs will host softball state playoff game

Published 4:12 pm Friday, May 18, 2018

The Grant Union Prospector softball girls are district champions after defeating the Enterprise/Joseph/Wallowa Cubs 7-1 on Friday, May 18, in John Day.

Grant Union now advances to the OSAA 3A State Championship playoffs at 4 p.m. Wednesday when they Prospectors host the Riverside/Arlington Pirates in John Day.

“It feels really good to know that we have a home playoff game, and we get to host it,” said Grant Union pitcher Cody Jo Madden. “We haven’t played our best game yet, so I’m hoping we play our hearts out the next game and the games from here on out.”

Catcher Brianna Zweygardt added, “I’m excited to move on. I’m really proud of the girls for making it this far, and I have high hopes for the future.”

Madden caught the final out of the top of the first inning near the mound, and no Cubs made it on base.

Whitney McClellan started the Prospector offense on the right note with a home run for Grant Union’s first at-bat in the bottom half.

Zweygardt’s sacrifice hit sent Mariah Moulton home, and Taylor Allen batted in Hailie Wright to give Grant Union a 3-0 lead.

Enterprise scored their only run of the game in the second when Josie Scott hit a home run in the Cubs’ first at-bat of the inning.

The Cubs stranded three Grant Union runners on base in bottom of the inning, with Madison Plew at the mound.

In the top of the third, Madden had one strikeout, and no Cubs reached base.

Grant Union scored one run in the fourth and fifth, and in the top of the sixth, Moulton relieved Madden early in the inning, getting the outs and leaving two Cubs on base.

Allen topped off the Prospectors’ offensive success in the bottom of the inning, hitting a 2-run homer.

Quick outs in the top of the seventh sealed the win for Grant Union.

The Cubs, led by head coach Gary Gassett, defeated Vale 9-5 earlier on Friday to advance to the district championship. Finishing second in district, they will also advance to state.

Grant Union head coach Zach Williams said they made a decision early on to make a pitching change at the first sign of trouble.

“Cody and Mariah pitched well and got ahead of hitters,” he said.

He said, overall, his team hit better off harder pitching, making the needed adjustments. He said the season has been great so far.

“I think they’re playing well at the right time, and now we’ve just got to have a four-game winning streak, so that’s what we’re looking for,” he said.

Grant Union is ranked No. 4 among OSAA 3A teams, and their overall record is 21-2. Out of 23 games, the Prospectors scored 342 runs and allowed 49.

Riverside/Arlington is ranked No. 13 with an overall record of 12-9. Out of 21 games, the Pirates scored 162 runs and allowed 116.

Grant Union vs. Enterprise

Whitney McClellan: 1 for 2, home run

Mariah Moulton: 2 for 3

Taylor Allen: 2 for 4, home run, 3 RBIs

Tressa Ranft: 2 for 2

Macy Strong: 2 for 3

Pitching

Cody Jo Madden: 4 2/3 innings, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts

Mariah Moulton: 2 1/3 innings, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts