Strong first inning propels Mission

EUREKA - After a 14-run first inning, the Mission softball team to beat Eureka 28-0 last Saturday.

"We came out strong, hitting the ball, connecting for triples and doubles," head coach Susan Weaselhead said. "We were showed how the girls can hit."

The Bulldogs batted through the line-up twice in the first inning and the game was stopped after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

In the field, pitcher Kyla Olson went the distance for a no-hitter, striking out nine and walking two in her first appearance this year.

"We had excellent pitching," Weaselhead said.

At the plate, Olson and Dalena Weaselhead both went 3-for-5, driving in four runs each.

Catcher Katie McDonald went 2-for-5 with two runs and Weaselhead said McDonald had "a great throw down to second" to catch a runner stealing.

Weaselhead said Mission was solid the entire game, but have room for improvement.

"We had strong play all around," she said. "We made a couple errant throws in the field."

Shortstop Kinley Pope was strong, Weaselhead said, and will be looked to as an anchor in the infield.

Mission, used to facing faster pitchers, adjusted well to the change in speed.

"I thought they played excellent," Weaselhead said.

The Bulldogs played Plains on Tuesday night, but results were unavailable at press time. Weaselhead said Plains will be a tough game for Mission, but has confidence in the Bulldogs.

Mission will play next Tuesday at Thompson Falls before hosting Drummond next Thursday.