Complete-game gems delivered by Cayla Williams and Mayze Menefee got No. 10-ranked Southern Oregon off on the right foot in Cascade Conference play against Bushnell on Friday at Lithia & Driveway Fields.
Williams pitched a three-hitter and struck out six without a walk in the 8-0 opener, which ended in five innings after the Raiders (7-3 overall, 2-0 CCC) put up an eight-spot in the fourth. Menefee followed with a seven-strikeout performance over seven frames in an 8-1 Game 2 decision, and the sophomore only gave up one hit after surrendering back-to-back doubles in the third inning.
Senior third baseman Lauren Weinberg supported Menefee with her first career home, a three-run rip to left field that put SOU up by seven in the sixth inning.
The Beacons dropped to 3-9 and 0-2. They got nickeled-and-dimed in the opener, which their pitcher, Sam Silver, started with three sharp innings. In the fourth, the Raiders came alive by reaching safely on three bunts. The first, off the bat of Rylan Austin, turned into a double after no Beacons covered second base, and brought home Faith Moultrie for the go-ahead run.
Sarah Kerling added a two-run single through the infield, Riley Donovan a successful squeeze-bunt, and Lindsey Stripling a run-scoring hit to left. The Raiders scored their last two of the inning courtesy of a Bushnell error.
Deja Acosta went 4-for-6 and Kailey Fulton was 3-for-4 on the day. Acosta hit a two-run single to open the scoring in Game 2 and later added an RBI triple to the opposite field. Sammie Pemberton had an RBI single and Riley Donovan a sacrifice fly in the contest.
Ericka Allen’s double drove in the Beacons’ only run, but they were silenced otherwise. Williams – whose complete game was the fourth in which she has allowed two or fewer earned runs this season – improved to 3-1, and Menefee to 1-1.
The games were moved to Medford due to overnight snowfall that rendered SOU’s University Field unplayable. The teams will move back to Ashland for Saturday’s doubleheader that starts at 11 a.m.
Content used with permission, compliments of SOU Sports
Photo by Al Case, Ashland Daily Photo
