Hard Hitting Hornets Headed for Final Four

Aurora – Henley only got four hits on North Marion pitcher Sam Pack, the 208 Capital Conference pitcher of the year, but all were for extra bases, as the Hornets used three consecutive doubles to tie the game in the fourth inning, and a Dakota Doke solo homer in the seventh inning to claim the 2-1 win over the Huskies.

Coupled with a one hitter in the circle by sophomore Autumn Wedan, the Hornets (20-6) were able to buzz off to a semi final showdown with Scappoose (17-8), who defeated Central 6-5.

North Marion jumped to an early advantage in the bottom of the first inning, converting Amber Pringle’s leadoff walk into a run. Hayley Casto advanced Pringle with a bunt on the first base line, and the Huskies avoided an out when obstruction was ruled in a jumble on the line, where the Hornets erroneously tagged another Hornet instead of Casto. Danielle Bahr hit into what looked like a double play, but after Sierra Patzke turned the front end of the double play, an errant throw sailed into the Henley dugout, scoring Casto, despite no Husky hits going on the board.

Wedan got out of the first inning without further damage on two strikeouts, which started a streak where 12 of the next 13 North Marion trips to the plate ended in a strikeout.

Henley didn’t make any more errors, and only allowed two more Huskie runners, a second inning walk, and a bunt single by Pringle to lead off the sixth inning.

Pack was pitching effectively as well, getting seven of the first eight Henley outs by strikeout, and carrying a no hitter into the fourth inning. But then the Hornets, in the second trip thru the lineup, got the timing down on Pack, and pounded three consecutive doubles.

Jessie Driessen led off the fourth inning with a double down the left field line, and Brittany Grant followed with another double. Driessen was cut down at the plate trying to score on a very close play, and Grant advanced to third in the process. Wedan helped herself next with a double off the top of the fence in left center, scoring Grant easily.

Henley Coach Ruth Strauch observed “We play aggressive. We didn’t get the run at the plate, but we put our selves in position to get the run with the next batter.”

Pack got out of the jam with back to back strikeouts, but North Marion couldn’t answer, as Wedan’s string of strikeouts continued.

Henley’s Jenna Harrington opened the fifth inning with a walk, but was stranded in scoring position.

After another pair of Wedan strikeouts, which ran her streak to nine straight Ks, Ashley Bacon finally put the ball in play, but popped out to first to send the game to the sixth inning still tied 1-1.

The Hornets started a buzz, as Driessen walked, and Pack hit Grant with a pitch, and Wedan drove another hit deep, but the Huskies’ Amanda Lee made the catch almost at the warning track in left field. Pack got Mariah Mahon to ground out to third baseman Charlie Woodard, and with two Hornets in scoring position, struck out Tia Sellers to keep the game tied.

North Marion’s Amanda Lee makes a catch on an Autumn Weden drive in deep left field.

Pringle finally broke up Wedan’s no hitter in the sixth inning with a bunt, but was left at second base after a pop up, a sacrifice bunt, and yet another strikeout.

Pack opened the seventh inning against the bottom of the Hornet batting order, and started with a strikeout. Doke then drove her home run out over the left field fence. Coach Strauch noted “Dakota had a home run, her first, in the last regular season game. She has been working hard all season, and now it’s paying off.”

Pack got another infield ground out and a strikeout to keep the margin at one run. However, Wedan finished off the Huskies without allowing the ball out of the infield. Wedan got another against Woodard, then got Amanda Lee to ground out to third, and Shauna Boudreaux to pop up to end the game.

Pack recorded 12 strikeouts against three walks and the four extra base hits, but Wedan struck out a total of 15, against only two walks and the one hit.

Coach Strauch noted “Autumn has been averaging 12 to 15 strikeouts since recovering from a sore shoulder earlier in the year. She has come back strong in the latter half of the season.” North Marion Coach Carl Kordenat also credited Wedan’s pitching, noting “She threw up, and up, and it takes discipline to lay off those pitches. She threw well enough to win, while we needed to swing better. One of us had to go home.” Kordenat also wasn’t surprised by the Hornet’s power hitting, noting “As many runs as they score (Henley has the fourth most runs scored in 4A this season, now with 211), we knew they would come to swing the bats.”

A North Marion batter takes a cut at a high rising pitch from Wedan.

Speaking of discipline, Coach Strauch commented “I was proud of the discipline our girls showed at the plate. And of our good senior leadership. We have four seniors (three in the starting lineup), and this is their third year in the playoffs. They have shown the others how to do this.”

Coach Kordenat, while disappointed, was also excited for next season, explaining “You get to this point, and a 2-1 game is to be expected. As bad as it hurts to lose, it will be tough for a while, but we will be back. Last year, it was progress to get to the district playoffs. This year, we got this far. And with only two seniors leaving, we bring back a good core, with more experience. I’m already excited looking to next year.”

Henley 000 100 1 - 2 4 2

North Marion 100 000 0 - 1 1 0

Autum Wedan (W) & Dakota Doke; Sam Pack (L) & Amber Pringle. HR – Doke (H) solo. 2B – Driessen, Grant, Wedan.

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