Document text
Varsity 541 NEWS NOW Emergency services, Sept. 9 ... Climb to the upper world of Mount Bailey ... Arrest made in 2-year vandalism spree ... Emergency services, Sept. 9 ... Climb to the upper world of Mount Bailey ... Arrest made in 2-year vandalism spree ... PREP SOFTBALL Last one standing Comment By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated May 13, 2015 at 12:09 PM By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated May 13, 2015 at 12:09 PM --> NORTH MEDFORD 17, THURSTON 15 WHAT: In a wild display of offense, the two teams combine for 34 hits. North trails early before regaining the lead and maintaining it — sometimes j... » Read more X NORTH MEDFORD 17, THURSTON 15 WHAT: In a wild display of offense, the two teams combine for 34 hits. North trails early before regaining the lead and maintaining it — sometimes just barely — to remain in first place in the Southwest Conference. UP NEXT: Saturday, North Medford at South Eugene (dh), noon; Roseburg at Thurston (dh), noon. » Social News The scoreboard at North Medford's softball field was blank during its game on Tuesday, the result of technical difficulties. Had it worked, it surely would have short-circuited anyway. In an offensive overload that saw roller-coaster swings of momentum, the Black Tornado outlasted Thurston, 17-15, during Southwest Conference action to remain atop the league standings. "I like when the scoreboard is working," said North head coach Mike Mayben, who sat slumped near the desk in his office and stared with amazement at his iPad, which was overflowing with statistics. "I wouldn't want to see that many runs up on it though." The two teams combined for 34 hits — 18 for North (18-4, 17-2 SWC) and 16 for Thurston (10-11, 9-10). The Colts took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning but trailed 10-3 entering the top of the second. Mind you, Thurston was far from defeated. The Colts tacked on five runs in the second inning and tied things at 10 in the third. The Tornado answered by scoring six runs to go up 16-10. The scoreboard was black, but North knew it was narrowly hanging on, senior Janelle Rodgers said. "We knew we just had to keep hitting," she said. There surely wouldn't be another twist to this high-scoring tale, would there? Indeed. Thurston erupted for five fifth-inning runs, including back-to-back solo home runs by Allie Dolbin and Natasha Holland. The Colts suddenly trailed just 16-15. North, which has won 10 straight, added a run on an error in the bottom of the inning. Enter North starting pitcher Sarah Thomas, who was relieved by Teanna Gonsalves in the second inning before reappearing in the sixth. Thomas recorded a pair of strikeouts and induced a fly out before the Tornado went scoreless in the bottom of the frame. An incredible finish seemed destined in the seventh, and it did come about — only not for trailing Thurston. With one out, Tornado left fielder Olivia Lethlean made a deep, off-balance catch at the fence. Thomas then surrendered a walk before fanning Holland and putting an end to the madness. "I wanted to end it for sure," Thomas said. "I had the run support, which is nice, but two runs is nothing in softball, as you can see. ... I wanted to be done." The Tornado played without four injured starters: shortstop Rylan Austin (who broke her middle finger last Saturday), center fielder Grace Jovanovic (who has missed the last two weeks with a leg injury), left fielder Cassie Campbell (who has been out several weeks) and second baseman Ashley Ripplinger, who has missed most of the season. Others are also banged up, said Mayben, who has moved players around in the infield and inserted some new faces to combat the absences. "We plug kids in and they do the job," Mayben said. For North, sophomore Taelor Mayben finished 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored and sophomore Aidan Roderick was 3-for-5 with two runs. Tra Kucera went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Gonsalves 2-for-3 with two runs, Alex Barry 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Rodgers 2-for-4 with two runs and Lethlean 2-for-5 with three runs. Christina Kuykendall added two RBIs and two runs and Gabby Rosales two runs for the Tornado. "That was just an offensive battle," coach Mayben said. In their first meeting, North swept Thurston, 7-1 and 10-3, on April 4. The Tornado will wrap up its league season at South Eugene on Saturday. “The first time we played them we had a little trouble scoring, which was the exact opposite of this game, but they didn't hit the ball as much as they did today," said Thomas, who improved to 15-2. "They are a great hitting team, probably one of the best we've seen this season." Megan Martin and Jessica Garner had three hits and three runs for the Colts, who committed nine errors. "I was just hoping we'd come to play defense somewhere down the line," Thurston head coach Jim Patrick said. "Sad thing is, that is usually our strong point." Thurston;352;050;0;—;15;16;9 North Medford;(10)06;010;x;—;17;18;2 Muggy, Keefauver (4) and Hoechlin; Thomas, Gonsalves (2), Thomas (6) and Kucera. W — Thomas (15-2). L — Keefauver. 2B — T: Hoechlin 2, Stedman 2, Martin. 3B — T: Wagner. HR — T: Holland, Dolbin. Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated May 13, 2015 at 12:09 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Schedules & Events --> Recent Scores --> Prep Notebook Kris Henry Challengers make it back on top in softball Winning the Southern Cascade League title seemed like a pretty bold goal this spring considering the recent history of the Cascade Christian... Varsity 541 Photos Ashland vs. Mountain View North vs Fortuna Coach K Summer Competition at SOU U19 Memorial Day Challenge North Medford vs. Grant State Track & Field » More Photo Galleries Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Contact Us | Advertise | © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.