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76 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, September 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 24, 2004 Sting has strong start at tournament SALEM — The Southern Oregon Sting got off to a good start in its quest for a bid to the ASA 18-under national softball tournament with two wins Friday in the Northwest Regionals at Wallace Marine Park. The Sting received a pair of stellar pitching performances from Laura Jones and Jenni Bittle in the 31-team tournament representing seven states. Jones tossed a two-hitter in the Sting’s 1-0 victory over the Lady Blues from Portland, then Southern Oregon defeated the Sunset Spirit of Portland 2-0 behind Bittle’s one-hitter. The Sting, which advanced to the quarterfinals of the winner’s bracket of the double-elimination event, is trying to garner one of three bids from the tournament to nationals in Clovis, Calif. "Our pitchers are hitting their spots real well," Sting coach Bill Shearin said. "Also our catcher Jill Artoff is doing a good job calling the pitches." Advertisement The Sting (30-8) didn’t commit an error in either game. In the opener, Jones struck out 13 batters. Southern Oregon pushed across the game’s only run in the fourth inning when Tyler Sutherland walked with the bases loaded. Artoff and Kristiann Kinsman singled to open the inning, then Bittle reached on an error to fill the bases. Artoff had two hits and scored a run. Bittle had a no-hitter entering the seventh inning against Sunset, but surrendered a leadoff triple. Bittle preserved the shutout and finished with 10 strikeouts. The Sting scored both runs in the first inning. Lacey Scroggins singled to open the frame and Artoff followed with a bunt single. Both runners moved up on a passed ball before Scroggins scored on a sacrifice fly by Jones. Bittle followed with a RBI single up the middle. "Pitching and good defense is a good combination," said Shearin. "We just have to wake up our bats a little more and I like our chances this weekend." Babe Ruth 14-YEAR-OLD STATE TOURNAMENT — At Eagle Point, undefeated Phoenix advanced to Sunday’s championship round with a 12-0 five-inning victory over Upper Rogue. Ryan Robinson and Jay McEvoy combined for a one-hitter with four strikeouts. Kory Locken went 3-for-3, including two doubles, had three RBIs and scored three runs to pace the Phoenix attack. Chris Short chipped in three hits and scored three runs and Andrew George added two hits, two walks and scored three times. Medford defeated Roseburg 15-3 after splitting a pair of games Thursday. Medford plays Umpqua Valley in an elimination game at 10 a.m. today. Medford rapped 11 hits in the five-inning game against Roseburg. Johnny Adamson went 3-for-3, scored three runs and had one RBI to pace the offense. Griffin Boyd and Jared Smith each had two hits and combined for five RBIs. Smith went the distance on the mound, allowing six hits. On Thursday, Medford defeated Grants Pass 9-8, then dropped a 7-4 decision to Upper Rogue. Babe Ruth 13-YEAR-OLD STATE TOURNAMENT — At Oakland, Medford Red and Ashland each improved to 2-0 in the nine-team tournament. Medford defeated Roseburg, 9-6, while Ashland registered a 7-3 win over Grants Pass. Medford and Ashland, the only two undefeated teams in the tournament, play each other in the semifinals at 10 a.m. today. Medford’s Hayden Wolfe pitched shutout ball over the final 12/3 innings to preserve the victory. Patrick Thiebault and Wolfe sparked the Medford nine-hit attack. Thiebault went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, while Wolfe collected three hits, drove in two runs and scored twice. Thiebault’s two run triple in the second inning gave Medford a 4-0 lead. Roseburg tied the game with four runs in the third. Medford broke the tie with five runs in the bottom of the fifth. Medford had five hits in the frame with Wolfe delivering a two-run double, followed by Thiebault’s two-run single and a RBI triple from Jordan Eillis. Ashland receive a four-hit pitching performance from Louis Sebrell and played errorless defense for the second straight game. Jordan Decker led the Ashland offense with two hits and two RBIs. Girls Little League 11-12 YEAR-OLD STATE TOURNAMENT — At Portland, the Medford Nationals dropped a 10-0 decision in five innings to Centennial of Greshman in the opening game of pool play in the eight-team tournament. The Nationals play two more games of pool play, then the top two teams in each group advance to the championship semifinals on Monday. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities