Six walks in first inning stakes Rams to 2-0 lead

Stayton – Regis advanced to the 3A state playoff quarterfinals on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over the visiting Warrenton Warriors.

Warrenton pitcher Chelsea Neahring allowed Regis only two hits in the game, but issued six of the seven walks she would give up on the day in the first inning. Wrapped around an Alex Minten sacrifice, the Rams were able to build a 2-0 lead. Regis Coach Doug Highberger noted “That was a big first inning for us. To have a good eye at the plate, that’s nice.”

Only an out at third on a throw back kept the damage down, as Neahring walked six of the first seven Ram batters. Regis left the bases loaded.

Warrenton’s Chelsea Neahring allowed only two hits, but walked 6 Rams in the first inning.

Neahring carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning against the Rams, but then gave up two hits, and an insurance run. Ali Crocker singled to left, advanced on a wild pitch, and proceeded to third on another mishandled pitch. Emily Perlich then delivered an RBI single to center field for Regis’ only other hit of the day, scoring Crocker.

Regis’ Ali Crocker (4) heads for home to score for the Rams.

It looked like the Rams would need the insurance run, as the Warriors threatened in the sixth inning. Brittany Fosdick and Shasia Holthausen opened the inning with consecutive singles, but what would turn out to be a key play then occurred, as Fosdick was thrown out going to third.

Highberger described the initial out as “Huge! It was a great relay from Ali (Crocker) to Emily (Perlich) to get that out. Otherwise, they score more runs, and then who knows?”

Warrenton used a walk to load the bases, and scored their only run on Brooklyn Campbell’s single, but left the bases loaded. Three of Warrenton’s four hits in the game came in the key sixth inning.

Ram pitcher Amanda Olheiser got out of the jam with an out at the plate on a bunt, and an infield out, then set the Warriors down in order on the seventh inning to get the win. Second baseman Shievu Kudo’s diving catch for the first out set the tone for the final frame.

Shievu Kudo makes a diving catch for Regis.

Highberger credited Olheiser, who had six strikeouts against only one walk, noting “Amanda threw a good game. She never let Warrenton hit it hard.”

Regis pitcher Amanda Olheiser struck out 6, and allowed only 1 walk, against Warrenton.

Regis (19-6) advanced to visit Dayton (17-8), who defeated Riverside 7-6, on Friday. Regis took two of three games from Dayton during the regular season.

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Neahring (L) & Campbell; Olheiser (W) & Minten.

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