Hermiston Wins 9/10 Softball Tournament - HermistonSportsPage.com

The Hermiston 9/10 Little League Softball team won the District 5 Tournament in Hermsiton on July 1, 2009. [KDSCN2312]

Hermiston Wins 9/10 Little League Softball Tournament

Defeated Hood River In Noontime Action

District 5 Little League Tournament - Hermsiton won 15-6

Posted July 6, 2009

HERMISTON - The Hermiston 9/10 year old Little League softball team defeated Hood River on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. Hermiston won the championship game 15-6.

Hermiston started of the top of the first when a grounder by Breyanna Naylor scored Ellery Jones. Two batters later Mikayla Kopacz hit to centerfield scoring Naylor. Hermiston ended the top of the first with a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first with two on one of Hood River's lefty batters laid down a bunt that scored both baserunners. The next batter hit to deep centerfield scoring a run. Hood River took the 3-2 lead at the end of the first.

Rileigh Andreason, Hermiston's leadoff batter in the top of the second, hit a basehit to rightfield. Andreason worked her away around the bases during Taylor Betz's at bat. Andreason was able to steal home giving Hermiston the 4-3 lead. Betz walked and made her way to thirdbase. Ericka Parks hit an infield roller that scored Betz giving the Hermiston softball team 5-3 lead.

Hood River scored one run in the bottom of the second when a wild pitch allowed a runner to steal home. Hermiston maintained a 5-4 lead.

Hermiston's Mikayla Kopacz hit a single to the shortstop to start the top of the third. Kylee Smith then laid down a bunt and made it safely to firstbase allowing Kopacz to score and giving Hermiston the 6-4 lead. Rileigh Andreason then laid down a safe bunt to get on first. Then Betz bunted safely to get on first. Smith was called out at home. Ellery Jones then then hit to centerfield driving in two runs and giving Hermiston the 8-4 lead. Parks then hit to centerfield allowing Jones to score. Hermiston lead 9-4 going into the botom of the third.

Hood River scored one run in the bottom of the third on basehit. That cut the Hermiston lead to 9-5.

Hermiston started the top of the fourth by loading the bases. Kynzee Padilla stole home on a pass ball to give Hermiston the 11-5 lead. Kopacz then scored on a groundout making it an 11-5 game. Candace Cooper scored on a Elery Jones hit to centerfield taking the Hermiston lead to 12-5. Parks then hit to centerfield scoring Abby George and Jones. Hermiston stretched the lead to 14-5. A hit to rightfield scored Parks and gave Hermiston the commanding 15-5 lead going to the bottom of the fourth.

Hood River scored on wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth allowing a runner to slide home safely and making the score 15-6.

The game tightened up defensively and neither team was able to score during the remaining two innings. After the last Hood River player was struck out the teams exchanged handshakes and high fives. Then the two teams lined up on the baselines in front of their dugouts. The chief umpire then handed out the second place Hood River players their medalions.

The umpire then walked over to the Hermiston baseline and worked his way down the line presenting each player and coach with their medalions. Once that was accomplished he presented the Hermiston players with their trophy and banner. It was announced that the team would be playing their round of games at Baker City.

The players on both teams showed real joy and enthusiasm. Congratulations to everyone involved.

LEFT -A Hermiston baserunner ducks and slides into secondbase to avoid the throw. [img_4085] RIGHT - A Hermiston baserunner races to thirdbase. [img_4103]

LEFT - A Hermiston batter connects on pitch. [img_4109] RIGHT - A Hermiston player slides into thirdbase. [img_4112]

LEFT - A Hermiston batter lays down a bunt. [img_4149] RIGHT - A Hood River batter tries to beat out a throw to firstbase. [img_4165]

LEFT - Breyanna Naylor of Hermiston approaches homeplate that's being guarded by the Hood River pitcher. [img_4230] RIGHT - A Hood River baserunner breaks for homeplate. [img_4250]

LEFT - The Hermiston pitcher Kynzee Padilla. [img_4282] RIGHT - The Hermiston catcher Breyanna Naylor. [img_4317]

LEFT - An umpire shakes hands with a Hood River player after presenting her the second place medalion. [img_1139] RIGHT - One of the Hood River players reads the engraving on the second place trophy. [img_1145]

LEFT - Several Hood River players look over the second place trophy. [img_4373] RIGHT - A Hermiston player shakes hands with the umpire after receiving her first place medallion. [img_4378]

LEFT - A Hermiston player shakes hands with the umpire after receiving her first place medallion. [img_4383] RIGHT - A Hermiston player shakes hands with the umpire after receiving her first place medallion. [img_4389]

LEFT - A Hermiston player shakes hands with the umpire after receiving her first place medallion. [img_4397] RIGHT - A Hermiston player receives her first place medallion. [img_4401]

LEFT - A Hermiston player shakes hands with the umpire after receiving her first place medallion. [img_4402] RIGHT - A Hermiston player shakes hands with the umpire after receiving her first place medallion. [img_4413]

LEFT - The umpire shakes hands with the Hermiston coaches. [img_4414] RIGHT - The umpire shakes hands with the Hermiston coaches. [img_4417]

LEFT - The Hermiston team passes the first place trophy along the line so each player gets a chance to look it over. [img_4420] RIGHT - The Hermiston team passes the first place trophy along the line so each player gets a chance to look it over. [img_4422]

LEFT - The Hermiston 9/10 Little League Softball Team poses with their first place banner and trophy. [KDSCN2322] RIGHT - The Hermiston 9/10 Little League Softball Team takes one last touch of the first place trophy before leaving the playing field. [KDSCN2324]

Photos by Terry Aichele

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