Storm Softball Sweeps the day against Umpqua
Jessica Rule Strikes out 11 in Game 1 as the Storm sweep the day against Umpqua CC
On April 5, 2025, the Umpqua RiverHawks faced off against the Chemeketa Storm at Belmodis Field. The game concluded with a decisive 7-0 victory for Chemeketa, showcasing their offensive dominance and strong pitching performance.
From the start, Chemeketa established control, scoring six runs in a commanding fourth inning. The scoring began when A. Cavazos was hit by a pitch, bringing home H. Nicholson. This was quickly followed by A. Wilsey's walk, allowing more runs to cross the plate as Nicholson and Mcke. Dodge scored. A wild pitch then let Nicholson score, and R. Shumaker capped off the inning with a single that brought home Wilsey. Finally, J. Rule contributed significantly with a double that accounted for two more runs, putting Chemeketa ahead 6-0.
Umpqua struggled offensively throughout the game, managing only one hit, which came from A. Wolfe, and striking out a total of 11 times against Chemeketa's pitcher J. Rule, who delivered a stellar performance with no earned runs and 11 strikeouts over six innings. Umpqua's offense was unable to capitalize, leaving four runners on base.
On the defensive side, Umpqua's errors were costly, with E. Wright and J. McArthur each committing two errors, contributing to Chemeketa's scoring opportunities. Chemeketa's fielding was solid, with only one error recorded during the game.
For Umpqua, A. Wolfe took the loss, allowing six runs (all earned) on five hits over four innings. T. Richardson pitched two innings in relief, giving up one run. Conversely, Chemeketa's J. Rule was the star of the game, showcasing his skills with a dominant performance that included a low pitch count and effective strikeouts.
Overall, this matchup highlighted Chemeketa's strong offensive lineup and effective pitching, setting a tone for the season, while Umpqua will need to address their batting struggles and defensive errors moving forward.
In a thrilling Game 2 matchup, the Chemeketa Storm triumphed over the Umpqua RiverHawks with a score of 9-3 at Belmodis Field. This game marked another chapter in the ongoing rivalry, as both teams looked to kick off their seasons on a strong note.
The game started promisingly for Umpqua, who took an early lead in the first inning. B. Garza delivered a single that brought E. Wright home, putting Umpqua ahead 1-0. They continued to build on their momentum in the second inning, with B. Zacchino and J. McArthur each contributing RBIs to secure a 3-0 lead.
Chemeketa responded vigorously in the third inning, scoring three runs to tie the game. J. Rule ignited the rally with a double that brought R. Shumaker home, followed by C. Weaving and A. Archuleta, who each added singles to push the score to 3-3.
The fourth inning saw Chemeketa take control, putting up five runs. R. Shumaker's triple drove in two runs, and C. Weaving and A. Archuleta continued to contribute with timely hits, culminating in a commanding 8-3 lead for Chemeketa.
Chemeketa's pitcher, A. Wilsey, showcased an impressive performance, allowing only three runs across seven innings while striking out four batters. Umpqua's pitching struggled, particularly T. Richardson, who absorbed the loss after giving up eight earned runs over 3.2 innings.
In the sixth inning, Chemeketa added one more run with Mcka. Dodge's single, solidifying their lead at 9-3. Umpqua's efforts in the latter innings fell short, managing only four additional hits and failing to score again.
Overall, the game highlighted Chemeketa's resilience and offensive strength, while Umpqua will need to regroup and address their pitching and defensive strategies in preparation for their next match.