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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad April 22, 2006 Tornado swallows up Grizz Freshman shuts down Ashland in SOC sweep Staff and wire reports Hasty Freshman Taylor Schmidt gave North Medford a needed pitching boost in a Southern Oregon Conference softball doubleheader Friday. Schmidt relieved fatigued senior ace Erica Sanders in the fourth inning of the opener with the Black Tornado comfortably leading Ashland 10-0. Then Schmidt tossed a complete-game three-hitter in the nightcap as North swept the Grizzlies 11-0 in five innings and 10-1 at North Mountain Park. Sanders, who’s battled injuries throughout her prep career, tossed 16 innings Tuesday in a doubleheader victory over South Medford. “After Sanders threw as many innings as she did she needed the rest,” North Medford first-year coach Mike Mayben said. “So Taylor stepped in really well in the first game and we were able to start her in the second.” In nine innings against Ashland, Schmidt (2-2) combined for 10 strikeouts and issued no walks. The only run Schmidt allowed on the day was a leadoff home run to Bailey Hasty in the second inning of Game 2. “She’s kind of coming out of a hitting slump, so it was nice to see that,” Ashland head coach Misty Potochnik said. Junior Katie Gould went 3-for-3 to spark the Black Tornado 14-hit attack in the first game Gould scored three runs, had two RBIs and stole a base. North (10-5, 6-2 SOC) received two hits each from Tiffany Schmelzer, Amanda Volgarino, Paulina Swenson and Alana Coronado. Ashland’s defense didn’t help itself out by committing seven errors on the day, including six in the nightcap. “They just run really well and that puts a lot of pressure on your defense,” Potochnik said. “The thing with a team like that is, they definitely make you pay for those errors. They can take one error and turn it into a couple runs with the quickness that they have.” Freshman outfielder Sara Silbowitz picked up two hits for the Grizzlies (6-9, 0-6 SOC). Not only did Schmidt limit the Grizzlies’ offense in Game 2, she supplied some punch at the plate with two hits and two RBIs. Schmidt provided a run-scoring double in the Black Tornado’s four-run third inning. “We’ve been hitting the ball extremely well,” said Mayben, whose team stroked 25 hits in the twin bill. North Medford registered its fourth straight SOC victory after opening the conference campaign 2-2. “We’re a young team and keep improving week by week,” said Mayben. “We’ve put ourselves in a position to get a playoff spot somehow.” FIRST GAME North Medford 234 11 — 11 14 1 Ashland 000 00 — 0 4 1 Sanders, Schmidt (4) and Sevano; Pribyl, McLaughlin (3) and Cantrell. W — Sanders (6-2). L — Pribyl (3-6). 3B — NM: Schmelzer. SECOND GAME North Medford 004 033 0 — 10 10 0 Ashland 010 000 0 — 1 3 6 Schmidt and Sevano; Smith, Pribyl (6) and Cantrell. W — Schmidt (2-2). L — Smith (1-2). 2B — NM: Gould, Schmidt. HR — A: Hasty.. --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.