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52 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 17, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 15, 2005 North-South softball rivalry has friendly twist By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune There is nothing bitter about the North Medford-South Medford softball rivalry. But the two teams will have plenty at stake when they square off Saturday for the only time this season. South Medford is the designated home team for the Southern Oregon Conference doubleheader starting at noon at Fagone Field. In Saturday’s other SOC doubleheaders, Eagle Point visits Crater, Klamath Union travels to play Ashland and Grants Pass is at league-leading Roseburg. Advertisement The Panthers have paid their dues against the typically dominant Black Tornado. Two years ago, South Medford snapped a 17-game losing streak in the SOC to the Black Tornado, and has since gone 3-2 against its cross-town rival. "North has been a great program for many, many years," says third-year Panther coach Dan Marshall, "and South was down for a few years. Right now our program is in good shape. "I think the North-South game is now more meaningful and is back to where it should be." Players from both sides have competed on the same team in summer ASA tournaments, so courtesy won’t be an issue. "Four or five of our girls played with some of their girls and traveled around this summer," says Marshall. "There are some very good friendships between the junior and senior classes. It makes the game a lot more fun." First-year North Medford coach Missy Doerr, a former Tornado player, knows the rivalry well. "This is the biggest (game) because it’s a rivalry," says Doerr. "It’s a friendly one. I mean, Dan Marshall’s been a family friend since I was little. He still kinda gives me help dealing with being a coach." During her four years from 1995-98, Doerr and the Black Tornado ran roughshod over a struggling Panther program. "(South) is a completely different team than when I played them," Doerr says. "I don’t think I’ve ever lost to South, personally. But they’re not the same team. I was so impressed with them when I watched them play at the spring break (North Medford Invitational). "We just have to come out and jump on them." North Medford (6-4, 2-2 SOC) will likely throw Kendra Strahm and freshman Kandice Hallett against Panther pitchers Jen Mendenhall and Jill Jeter. Strahm, in her fourth year on varsity, has been the pitcher of record in each of North’s victories. Mendenhall (5-2) and Jeter, the probable Game 2 pitcher, have led South to an 8-3 overall and 3-1 SOC record. The Black Tornado will be in familiar territory if the game should go extra innings. North played in and won a 14-inning contest against Foothill High, of Redding, Calif., then went to 19 innings before losing to Eagle Point in the league opener. South Medford’s advantage comes in experience. The Panthers return 11 varsity players — eight of them starters — to make up the league’s most seasoned unit. Senior shortstop Jackie Chaplin, junior third baseman Simone Hubbard and senior catcher Alex Jordahl are all hitting above .300 in conference play. Yet, while the pitching has been solid for South, the bats have struggled a bit with runners in scoring position. "Our pitching is still strong and our defense is above average," says Marshall. "Offensively, we’re still working on some things and we can improve a little." The two teams should be at full strength, despite a pair of minor injuries. Black Tornado leadoff hitter Deni Rowley, batting .615 in conference play, has been hobbled with a sprained foot suffered last Saturday against Grants Pass, but should be ready to go for the crucial pair of games. Jordahl, who missed last season with a knee injury, has been hobbled with a nagging foot injury, but is also slated to play Saturday. Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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