Lady Vikings sweep Pirates in season finales


Siuslaw junior pitcher Nina Aaron stole the show on Senior Night by pitching two complete-game victories.

Siuslaw junior pitcher Nina Aaron hurled two complete-game victories Friday and went 4-for-4 in the opener to lead the Lady Vikings to a softball sweep of the visiting Marshfield Pirates, 7-6 and 4-3.

The two wins secured a fourth-place finish in the Sky-Em League for Siuslaw at 5-10. The Lady Vikings were 5-16 overall.

Marshfield finished fifth in league at 4-11 and 7-16.

"We peaked late in the season with four wins in our last five games," Siuslaw coach Sean O'Mara noted. "The athletes should be proud of their continued effort through all the losses to come out at the end of the season with some real solid efforts on offense, defense and mental toughness."

In the opener, the Lady Vikings rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the victory.

Aaron had two RBIs and a double as well as four hits.

Senior Hayley Meier was 3-for-4, freshman Bailey Overton 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs and an RBI, senior Lupita Figueroa 2-for-4 with an RBI and senior Lexie Smith 1-for-2 with 2 RBIs.

"In the first game I feel like the athletes really showed up to play," O'Mara said. "They were loose but focused. They did not let the distractions of Senior Night, at their home field, or the ebb and flow of the game dictate their approach on offense and defense.

"Overall, I was very pleased with the progress the athletes showed in both their mental and physical game."

In the nightcap, Overton was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases to ignite the Siuslaw offense.

The Lady Vikings outhit the Pirates in the two games, 20-13.

SENIOR RECOGNITION NIGHT NOTES
Provided by Siuslaw coach Sean O'Mara

No. 1 Lupita Figueroa, who was joined by parents Jorge Figueroa and Belen Rivas

  • Future plans: Attend Paul Mitchell Beauty School in 2021.
  • Favorite softball memory: Every moment I got to spend with this team.
  • Advice for returning softball athletes: Learn how to slide! Make sure you keep your hands closed or you may break them.

No. 5 Angela Bartlett, who was joined by sister Abigail Bartlett

  • Future plans: Attend Western Oregon University and major in physical therapy.
  • Favorite softball memory: Listening to (coach) O'Mara's stories on bus rides home.
  • Advice for returning softball athletes: Don't wait for luck to happen, create your own.

No. 11 Alexis Smith, joined by parents Tara and Dan Smith

  • Future plans: Attend Johnny Matthews School of Hairdressing in Salem.
  • Favorite softball memory: Hitting two home runs back-to-back, and the coach asking me if there is any way to get me out.
  • Advice for returning softball athletes: Stay positive and don't give up on yourself or your teammates.

No. 14 Audrey Lowder, joined by parents Rhonda ad Nathan Lowder

  • Future plans: Attend Oregon State University Honors College, majoring in biochemistry and biophysics, (one day) earning a doctorate in biology and becoming a biomedical chemist.
  • Favorite softball memory: When (freshman) Bailey (Overton) was given the bunt sign and almost hit a home run in practice.
  • Advice for returning softball athletes: Don't make excuses, make improvements.

No. 21 Hayley Meier, joined by parents John and Nicole Meier

  • Future plans: Attend Lane Community College, earn a degree in applied sciences, transfer to Oregon and major in biology with the goal of becoming a neonatal nurse practicioner.
  • Favorite softball memory: All the fun times and laughs we had together as teammates and coaches.
  • Advice for returning softball athletes: Be tenacious. No matter what knocks you down, whether it be grades, family or injury, never stop fighting to play the sport you love.

No. 12 Alyssa Richards, joined by parents Kevin and Susie Richards

  • Future plans: Attend Southwestern Community College to get a degree in criminal justice.
  • Favorite softball memory: Catching coach O'Mara off guard and dumping water on him at the end of practice.
  • Advice for returning softball athletes: Work hard, hustle and remember to have fun. Your four years of high school will be over before you know it.

Coach O'Mara and the team also acknowledged "the many hours spent by outstanding volunteer coaches" Jodi O'Mara, Jamie Hunt, Ashlee Cole, Kim Gibson and Shari Fisher.

"These coaches have had a long term, positive impact on our athletes' lives, well beyond the game of softball itself," O'Mara said. "We are lucky to have them in this program and thank them for all they have done."

First game
MARSHFIELD  100 020 3 — 6     9    2
SIUSLAW          004 010 2 — 7    13    3
Jorney Baldwin and Sterling Williams; Nina Aaron and Alexis Smith.

Second game
MARSHFIELD   000 020 1 — 3    4    2
SIUSLAW          011 020 X — 4    7    3
Jorney Baldwin, Sterling Williams (5) and Sterling Williams, EmmaLee Schaffer (5).

2019 SIUSLAW SCHEDULE
Record: 5-10 in Sky-Em League, 5-16 overall
Sky-Em League
Tuesday, April 9 — at Marist 11, Siuslaw 0
Friday, April 12 — Junction City 18, at Siuslaw 1, 5 innings, 1st game
Friday, April 12 — Junction City 16, at Siuslaw 2, 6 innings, 2nd game
Wednesday, April 17 — at Siuslaw 11, Cottage Grove 1, 6 innings
Thursday, April 18 — Elmira 13, at Siuslaw 1, 5 innings, 1st game
Thursday, April 18 — Elmira 11, at Siuslaw 10, 2nd game
Tuesday, April 23 — at Marshfield 15, Siuslaw 5, 6 innings
Friday, April 26 — Marist 14, at Siuslaw 1, 5 innings, 1st game
Friday, April 26 — Marist 28, at Siuslaw 2, 5 innings, 2nd game
Tuesday, April 30 — at Junction City 21, Siuslaw 2, 5 innings
Friday, May 3 — Siuslaw 13, at Cottage Grove 2, 1st game
Friday, May 3 — Siuslaw 15, at Cottage Grove 10, 2nd game
Tuesday, May 7 — Elmira 12, at Siuslaw 1
Friday, May 10 — at Siuslaw 7, Marshfield 6, 1st game
Friday, May 10 — at Siuslaw 4, Marshfield 3, 2nd game
Nonleague
Wednesday, March 13 — Harrisburg 13, at Siuslaw 7
Thursday, March 14 — Sutherlin 9, at Siuslaw 8, 7 innings
Thursday, March 14 — Sutherlin 14, at Siuslaw 12, 5 innings, darkness
Tuesday, March 19 — at Pleasant Hill 8, Siuslaw 7
Friday, March 22 — Pleasant Hill, cancelled
Saturday, March 23 — Phoenix 10, Siuslaw 2, 1st game
Saturday, March 23 — Phoenix 18, Siuslaw 6, 6 innings, 2nd game
Tuesday, April 2— Douglas (DH), cancelled

VIKINGS VARSITY ROSTER
Freshman
  3 Bailey Overton, infielder
Sophomores
  4 Adrianna Edwards, infielder
  6 Savannah Morris, outfielder
  9 Lizbeth Garcia-Galvan, infielder
Juniors

  8 Nina Aaron, left-handed pitcher
30 Liz Rosinbaum, designated-hitter
Seniors
  1 Lupita Figueroa, outfielder
  2 Alyssa Richards, outfielder
  5 Angela Bartlett, outfielder
11 Lexi Smith, catcher
14 Audrey Lowder, outfielder
21 Hayley Meier, infielder
Coach: Sean O'Mara
Assistants: Ashlee Cole, Jamie Hunt, Jodi O'Meara, Kasey Strenke, Kim Gibson, Shari Fisher