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CLEAR Temp: 61 °F Wind: NNE at 4 mph Tuesday, August 12, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 31, 2003 Strahm shines in Tornado triumph MIDLAND, Texas — Kendra Strahm was nearly perfect, and her teammates didn’t suffer by comparison, as the North Medford Black Tornado breezed to victory in the first game of bracket play at the National A 16-under American Softball Association tournament Wednesday. Strahm had a perfect game going through 42/3 innings before settling for a 7-1 victory over the Oklahoma Swingers from Oklahoma City. North Medford, the No. 1 seed following Tuesday’s pool play, will take on the Arizona Little Saints, a 12-0 winner Wednesday, at 7 a.m. today in the double-elimination portion of the tourney. A win today by the Black Tornado gives the girls the rest of the day off, while a loss means a second game later in the afternoon. "The Saints are traditionally really tough, so it’ll be a good test for us," said North coach Brent Barry. "We just need to throw strikes and keep playing defense like we can, and we should be all right." In Wednesday’s victory, Strahm struck out six batters and was bolstered by a near-flawless defense behind her. After allowing a two-out walk in the fifth, Strahm gave up a double, but the runner was thrown out at the plate on a sensational series. Advertisement "We had a great relay from Denay Martin in center field to Darcy Cordell at shortstop and then Nikki Lecroy at the plate to gun the girl down," said Barry. "It was just perfect." As the visiting team, the Tornado put the pressure on the Swingers right away with three runs in the first, sparked by Deni Rowley’s leadoff single and a run-scoring effort by Cordell. "We’ve been doing a good job of getting out early," said Barry. Rowley and Cordell were joined by Martin and Monica Rethwill as North players contributing two hits apiece. Rethwill had three RBIs to pace the attack, with teammate Steph Haskett smacking a key two-run hit with two outs in the fourth as North put four runs on the board in that inning to take a 7-0 lead. 14-UNDER ASA B WESTERN NATIONAL TOURNAMENT — At Springfield, Mo., the Crater Comets split a pair of pool-play contests in the 74-team event. After suffering a 7-1 setback against East County of El Cajon, Calif., the Comets scratched out a 4-3 victory over the B.A. Blitz of Broken Arrow, Okla. The Blitz rallied to tie the game at 3-3 with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Crater won under international tiebreaking rules in the eighth. Kirstin Davidson began the frame on second base, and Ashleigh Cuddie knocked her in on a fielder’s choice. Haley Hevern was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs, while Stephanie Albrecht picked up the pitching win in relief. Against East County, the Comets were held to three hits, with Hevern’s single, stolen base and pair of advancements on passed balls producing the lone run. Crater, the Oregon state champion, begins double-elimination action today against the Hopkins Royals Blue of Hopkins, Minn. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times