March 16, 2019 — The Lady Vikings opened the softball season with a pair of home stands, beginning Wednesday with a match-up against Harrisburg originally scheduled as a road game in the Eagles’ nest.
A combination of a fiery Harrisburg offense and a series of Siuslaw errors that resulted in the Lady Eagles picking up their second win of the week after slamming 12 hits and 13 runs against Siuslaw.
In the meantime, the Vikings battled, led at the plate by freshman Bailey Overton, who had two RBIs, 2 runs scored and a double. Senior catcher Lexi Smith also crossed the plate for the Viks after stealing a base.
From the pitcher’s circle, junior Nina Aaron struck out 6 Eagles batters and gave up only 5 earned runs — with Siuslaw’s 7 team errors contributing to Harrisburg’s scoring run.
“We have to work at not beating ourselves and staying present with the play that’s in front of us,” said coach Sean O’Mara. “But I feel we played well for our first game of the season, especially considering the number of underclassmen we had starting — including at shortstop.
Thursday, Siuslaw was back on the diamond for a doubleheader against visiting Sutherlin.
In the first game, the Vikings led 8-4 through the first four innings as the Lady Bulldogs chalked up 2 runs in the fifth and 2 more in the sixth before taking the lead in the top of the seventh inning for the eventual win, 9-8.
Senior infielder Hayley Meier led Siuslaw offensively with a double and 1 run scored.
In the nightcap, both teams pounded the softball, combining for a total of 26 runs in the game.
For Siuslaw, Overton scored twice and went 2-for-2 at the plate, knocking in 3 RBIs and connecting for a double, triple and a pair of stolen bases.
Smith had an RBI, 2 runs scored and a double against the Bulldogs.
The Vikings had a total of 10 errors in the two-game series, with 7 of those errors committed in the second game.
Despite that, the Vikings rallied from a 14-4 deficit in the bottom of the fifth as dusk was setting in, combining for 8 runs — with six of those scores on a two-out rally with five walks and four hits.
Three singles and a bases-clearing triple later by Overton, and the Viks had closed the gap to two runs, 14-12.
However, the Bulldogs managed to hold that score and secure the two-run win.
“The Vikings showed a lot of grit in that inning,” O’Mara said.
Siuslaw will be back on the field this Tuesday, on the road at Pleasant Hill.
First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.