![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
Softball team loses to Lakeridge on senior night
The softball team lost 7—5 on May 12
Coming off back-to-back losses in two straight days, the softball team wasn’t able to shake off the losing streak on May 12. Though, this wasn’t any other game— this was senior night. Jenna Wheeler, senior, was unhappy following the loss vs. the Lakeridge Pacers.
“I’m very sad,” Wheeler said. “Very, very sad. It was definitely not the way we wanted to go on the season. [It was the] last home game of the year, so [it was] very sad.”
Now ranked 20th in the state, Wheeler and the softball team are in contention for a playoff spot. Though, currently, they are not in position for a first-round home playoff game because only teams ranked 16th or above get to do so.
Additionally, Friday’s senior night marks the last home game for five: Wheeler, Grace Leben-Wollen, Rebecca Gomez, Chloe Dehlin, and Courtney Williams, all seniors. The starting catcher Charlotte Brooke, junior, had a few words to say following the loss.
“I felt like we all [had] high energy for a lot of the game and we just knew that whatever happens we [still] love our seniors and everything,” Brooke said. “We were just playing as a team for most of the game.”
After a three-run inning in the bottom of the third inning, the softball team led 4—3. However, after three straight scoreless innings, the softball team trailed 7—3 in the bottom of the seventh inning.
“I think that our confidence is a big thing,” Brooke said. “Sometimes when we get down we stay down, and just having that extra confidence is something that we need to keep consistent.”
After a single by Brooke in the seventh inning, Lakeridge dealt the softball team three outs to finish the game. With this loss, the softball team lost the season series vs. Lakeridge 2—1.
The softball team will play the Tigard Tigers at Tigard on May 15 at 5 p.m.. Tigard, the defending 6A champion, is currently ranked 12th.
“I think we can totally [bounce back],” Brooke said. “We’ve done it before and we’ve come pretty close with [Tigard]. I think we have what it takes to come on top.”
After their game against Tigard, the softball team will play the Silverton Foxes on May 17 and the Jesuit Crusaders on May 18. Both are away games. The OSAA 6A softball playoffs start on May 22.
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![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-600x450.jpg)