Sixth inning success sends Bulldogs back to Corvallis for rematch with Valley Catholic

Willamina – The Willamina Bulldogs (23-5) survived Dayton’s fast start, and won the pivotal sixth inning, to claim a 3-1 win, and a trip back to Corvallis, for a rematch of last year’s 3A Championship game against West Valley League rival Valley Catholic (25-3), 1-0 winners over the Elgin-Imbler Huskies.

Dayton jumped ahead fast, on two hits in the first inning. Coral Pratt singled to left, and Dani Putnam followed with an RBI double to right field. But the Pirates left Putnam on third, the first of three times over the course of the game, as Caralyn Chewning got away without further damage with back to back strikeouts of Kasey Ringalda and Alina Perez.

Dayton scored first on a double to right field.

Willamina answerd in the bottom of the first inning with two hits, but left two on, as Pirate pitcher Putnam snagged a come-backer for the third out.

Wilamina’s Caralyn Chewning (8) is safe at second, but would be stranded there.

After an opening inning that looked like a shootout might be brewing, there were no more hits until the sixth inning, as both pitchers and their defenses took control of game.

Dayton pitcher Dani Putnam delivers a strike.

Willamina second baseman Brianna Anderson makes a running catch to end the fourth inning. First baseman Sherae Cumberland (10) looks on.

It became apparent the sixth inning would likely decide the rivalry game, as both teams were scheduled to send the top of the order to the plate.

An error at shortstop on a sharply hit ball started Dayton off, putting Kayla Jarnigan on.

Willamina’s Gesi Bowman can’t handle the hard shot to short.

Willamina removed her as the lead runner, but couldn’t turn the double play.

Willamina SS Gesi Bowman erases Dayton’s Kaylw Jarnigan (2) as the lead runner at second base.

Pratt stole second, then went to third on a wild pitch, but was stranded there, as Chewning got a strikeout and an infield ground out to get out of the jam, and the Pirates couldn't get an insurance run.

Dayton’s Coral Pratt advances to third base, but was stranded there.

Chewning explained “It’s always tough to face the top of the order, but I knew what pitches were working.” Facing Putnam, Chewning stepped back off the rubber twice, explaining “My dad (Coach Brad Chewning) calls the pitches. She (Putnam) was up on the plate, and the call was for an outside pitch twice. I knew I didn’t want to throw that. That’s the first time I’ve ever done that, shaking off the called pitch like that.”

Willamina’s Caralyn Chewning works against Dayton.

It worked, and the Bulldogs sent the top of their order up. Gesi Bowman singled to right, then Chewning singled to Dayton second baseman Emily Chupp, who looked at second base, but it was too late for a play, and by then it wass too late for a play at first too.

Next, Brianna Anderson sacrificed the runners into scoring position, and Catrina Shell walked. Freshman Sami Bowman then delivered a two RBI double into the gap in right center. Megan Eichler's sacrifice to first scored Shell for a 3-1 lead. The Bulldogs left two in scoring position, but the damage was one. Dayton went three up, three down, and the rematch with Valley Catholic was set.

Willamina’s Sami Bowman (18) delivered the game winning double.

Willamina’s Caralyn Chewning celebrates as Sherae Cumberland squeezes the throw to retire Dayton’s Emily Chupp, and put the game away.

Coach Chewning explained “We had to have patience, and wait. I was in the mind-set in the top of the inning that we couldn’t give up another run. And then hope to get to the top of the order, like we did in the sixth inning. That said, we were definitely going for the tie first.”

Bowman wasn’t thinking win either, explaining “I was just thinking ‘Hit the Ball!’ I felt the pressure, especially after missing that hit to right in the first inning. I’m just glad to help with going to the state championship game.” Ironically, Bowman had played with several of the Dayton players last summer on a tournament team.

Bowman, Chewning, and the rest of the Bulldogs, who celebrated the win over Dayton with the chant of “Bring on Valley”, are all looking forward to another shot at the Valiants, who have taken four of the last five game against Willamina, including a 6-0 win in last season’s championship game. Bowman said “I really want to beat them!” and Chewning exclaimed “We are going back to the championship. We want to come out and beat them.”

But as Chewning explained, it’s not an unreasonable goal, as the Bulldogs did claim a 3-2 11 inning win over the Valiants May 1^st. “The win gives us confidence. When we beat Valley Catholic, we had the defense working that day. I’ll need all the pitches working, and everyone into the game.” Judging by the mood after the comeback win gave Willamina a sweep of the season against rival Dayton, with previous wins by scores of 3-0 and 2-0, getting everyone “into the game” against Valley won’t be a problem.

Coach Chewning said “We have gotta play a tough team in Valley, but playing this hard game will only help us. The girls didn’t want to practice on Sunday, but it paid off. Valley has the #1 pitcher in 3A in Sami Picken. She can shut down the top of the order. And they have a deeper stable of hitters. But we have a top pitcher too.” Chewning finished with ten strikeouts, against only one walk. And, it turns out, some clutch hitting deep in the order.

Dayton finished the season 18-9, with five losses to the two teams facing off Friday for the state championship.

Dayton 100 000 0 - 1 2 0

Willamina 000 003 x - 3 5 2

Dani Putnam (L) & Kasey Ringnalda; Caralyn Chewning (W) & Catrina Shell. 2B – Putnam (D), Bowman (W).

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