Sweep gives Eagles share of GVC title

By Rob McCallum
Published: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:47 PM CDT
Mt. Shasta News

Third baseman Stephanie Zwetschke watched this pitch go out of the yard Monday afternoon against Shasta. The freshman from Beaverton, Ore. hit home runs in each game of the doubleheader and also doubled to put the tying run on in Game 1.

Heading into Monday's doubleheader, it was technically possible that the College of the Siskiyous softball team could lose their final six games and not win the Golden Valley Conference title.

Trailing by one in the sixth inning of Game 1 against Shasta, then digging themselves a 3-0 hole in Game 2, a monumental collapse was still possible.

But the No. 1-ranked Eagles staged a late rally to take the opener, 3-2, then buried the rival Knights in the nightcap, 14-6, to clinch at least a share of their fourth ever GVC crown.

“The way this team is hitting, a lead like that isn't safe,” coach Doug Eastman said. “You keep thinking that this is going to be the day that we're not clicking and somebody gets us, but they just come through and win ballgames.”

Siskiyous also improved to an eye-popping 39-2 and 15-1 in conference play. Lassen, the only team to topple COS in league play this season, split with Butte on Monday and is 9-5.

A pair of Shasta home runs and quiet day from the Eagle bats had the Knights up 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Stephanie Zwetschke doubled to lead off and Ashley Geer followed with a walk, but both watched Shasta retire the next two Eagles.

That's when second baseman Alex Jordahl smashed a line drive to left center, giving COS their first lead and the winning runs.

“Alex is one of those players that gives 100 percent whether it's in a game or practice. She works hard in the team picture,” Eastman said. “That really rubs off on everyone else.”

Zwetschke started what turned into a monster day with a home run to left that got COS on the board.

The home runs by Knights Krystal Geunther and Hannah Larson were the only two hits given up by Crystal Palacio, who improved to 22-2 on the season.

“If you're going to give up home runs, it might as well be with no one on,” Eastman said. “When you're trying to get ahead of somebody, sometimes you get hit hard. She worked around them.”

Shasta scored 3 runs early in Game 2 to keep hope alive for a split, but the Eagles responded with all 14 of their runs in 3 innings to enact the 8-run mercy rule.

“Other teams are looking at 7-8-9 hitters who are hitting .400 and have 9 home runs,” Eastman said. “That's pretty daunting, and you have to get a big lead to hold these girls down.”

Centerfielder Kim Connelly started the fourth-inning rally with her seventh home run of the season, then Palacio and Sheena Fellows hit RBI doubles to tie the game.

Zwetschke went yard for the second time in as many hours, driving in 3 runs in the fifth. The third baseman finished the day with 5 RBIs.

Geer hit a 2-run single to make it 13-6 in the sixth, then came home on a Palacio double to end the game early.

Becca Anderson remained perfect on the season on the mound after COS took the lead in the fifth inning.

The Eagles continue their homestand to close out the regular season Friday against Butte in a doubleheader. Lassen visits Weed on Saturday at noon.

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