Siuslaw juniors Nikki Launius (catcher) and Heidi Jones (pitcher) have been battery mates — and best friends — since seventh grade.

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Siuslaw juniors Heidi Jones and Nikki Launius are best friends forever and softball battery mates since seventh grade.

Thursday the pair helped the Vikings to a 5-3 season-opening victory over the Irish at Waldport.

Jones struck out 8 and kept the Irish off guard with an arsenal of a riser and a nifty change-up, mixing in fastballs, as well as a curveball that seemed to befuddle the umpire.

Launius was 1-for-2 with two walks at the plate, punctuating the Vikings' 3-run first inning with a solid 2-run single to right-center field.

It was a nice start for a team that won three games total in 2015.

"I feel pretty good about this season," Jones said. "I think it's going to be a lot better."

Launius echoed the sentiment.

"Things can only get better," she said. "We'll get a lot better as the season goes on."

A fine mid-60s, sunny day greeted the Vikings on St. Patrick's Day in Waldport. They wasted no time giving Jones a lead to work with as the first five hitters reached base.

After leadoff hitter Anna Petras reached on an error, Siuslaw loaded the bases on back-to-to back infield singles by Anna Stonelake and Claire Waggoner.

Cleanup hitter Taylor Dotson drew a bases-loaded walk for a 1-0 lead and Launius followed with her 2-RBI single.

Launius was hoping for more.

"Honestly, I want to hit some home runs," she said. "I want to hit some out of the park. But that's what everyone dreams about."

The Irish cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the third, scoring on a bases-loaded walk and a fielder's choice.

Jones issued four walks in the inning, the plate umpire seemingly revising his strike zone for curveballs and risers.

"It was the first game for me, and the first game for him, too," Jones said generously.

The Vikings immediately matched the Irish with two runs in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of three Irish errors to take a 5-2 lead.

Jenicah Ecker singled and scored on an error, while Auriel Hager-Tolle reached on a fielder's choice and scored on an error.

The Irish had their chances. Waldport left the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, then failed to deliver with one run in and the tying runs on second and third in the bottom of the fifth.

Both rallies were squelched on weak grounders to Jones, who tossed the ball to first baseman Claire Waggoner for the third outs.

Next week is spring break for Siuslaw, but the Vikings will be busy with a doubleheader at home Monday against Philomath, a doubleheader Wednesday at Cottage Grove and a single game Friday at Harrisburg.

LINESCORE
Thursday, March 17, at Waldport
SIUSLAW        300 200 0  —  5     5     3
WALDPORT    002 000 1  —  3     2     5
Winning pitcher — Heidi Jones, 8 strikeouts, 6 walks
Losing pitcher — Abby Cauthon, 10 strikeouts, 3 walks
Thursday's lineup
No.—Pos. Player, school year
  7—ss Anna Petras, senior
  2—cf Anna Stonelake, senior
15—1b Claire Waggoner, junior
17—3b Taylor Dotson, senior
  9—ca Nikki Launius, junior
11—p Heidi Jones, junior
  6—2b Jenicah Ecker, junior
21—lf Auriel Hager-Tolle, junior
  4—rf Hannah Bartlett, senior
Substitutes
14—3b Sara Keel, junior
  3—2b-ss Nicole Gordon, senior
27—1b Chehalis Stinger, junior
12—of Katherine Dodson, junior

2016 SCHEDULE

Nonleague

• Monday, March 21 — Philomath (2), 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 23 — at Cottage Grove (2), noon and 2 p.m.
• Friday, March 25 — at Harrisburg, noon
• Tuesday, March 29 — at Elmira, 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 31 — Sutherlin, 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 2 — Junction City (2), noon and 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 5 — at Tillamook, 3 p.m.

Far West League

• Friday, April 8 — at Marshfield (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 12 — Brookings-Harbor, 5 p.m.
• Friday, April 15 — Douglas (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 19 — at North Bend, 5 p.m.
• Friday, April 22 — at South Umpqua (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 26 — Marshfield, 5 p.m.
• Friday, April 29 — at Brookings-Harbor (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 3 — at Douglas, 5 p.m.
• Friday, May 6 — North Bend (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 10 — South Umpqua, 5 p.m.
• Saturday, May 14 — OSAA ratings freeze date
• Thursday, May 19 — OSAA play-in date