Epic showdown Tuesday at CMH Field: Victory to Scappoose over Astoria

Battle of the Titans.

It is the phrase that has become synonymous with an epic battle. In Greek mythology, it was described as the battle of all battles, where Zeus and the Olympian gods fought the older generation of titans over a 10-year period, with the winner controlling the universe.

The term has been used in sports to describe games between the best in their respective disciplines.

Over recent years, this phrase perfectly describes the three-way battle between Astoria, Scappoose and St. Helens softball teams. Whenever these teams face off with each other, an epic game is going to take place.

Tuesday at CMH Field was no exception.

With the league race still up for grabs, this was the game of the year in 4A softball. With the Cowapa League once again fielding three of the best teams in the state, Tuesday would go a long way towards determining playoff seeding.

The Astoria girls were looking for revenge after Scappoose blasted them in the first game of the season series. Recently, the Indians dropped back-to-back games to St. Helens, so they were one game behind Astoria in the overall standings.

Fans at CMH Field witnessed a pitchers duel between Linfield University commit Saige Casey and Astoria strikeout machine Taryen Wray. This game had strikeouts, incredible defensive plays, pitchers getting themselves out of jams — and the teams having to play 10 innings before a winner was decided.

Scappoose would finally break through in the top of the 10th inning to take a 4-2 lead. Though Astoria was able to get two runners on, the girls were not able to advance them even past second base as Casey pitched her way out of a jam.This was enough for Scappoose to take a 4-2 victory and tie things up in the Cowapa league race. Currently, all three teams are tied with two losses apiece. Scappoose is 8-2, Astoria is 7-2 and St. Helens is currently 6-2.

With three more games remaining against Scappoose and St. Helens, the Fishermen are now in a must win situation for this Thursday. A win would give Astoria a good chance to win the league in potentially a three-way tie, but a loss would see the team fall to third. Of course, the Fishermen are focused on the postseason, but winning league is a nice bonus.

The stars of this game were the two pitchers.

Wray was a warrior on the mound as she threw 177 pitches and struck out 11 hitters in 10 innings. Wray only gave up two earned runs against one of the best lineups in all of 4A. The 11 strikeouts now gives her 179 on the year as she closes in on the elusive 200-strikeout mark. Wray pitched her way out of a number of jams and ended up being the hard-luck loser.

Her counterpart, Casey, was on the same level. The senior went 10 innings, allowed just five hits, one earned run and struck out 10. Though she also threw 116 pitches, she got stronger as the game wore on. Most of her strikeouts came in the later innings as she seemed to find even more speed on the fastball and ended up blowing away most of Astoria’s top hitters multiple times in extra innings.

In the batters box, Scappoose had strong performances from their Nos. 2, 3 and 4 hitters. Elly Casey went 2-5, older sister Saige went 2-5 with an RBI and Kayla Brainerd went 2-5 with an RBI. For Astoria, Aryana Adams, Wray, Lyla Carlson, Kilee Svensen and Kate Barendse had the five hits.

This game was one of inches for Astoria. After having a runner at third and less than two outs in the fifth inning, the Fishermen had a runner thrown out after trying to bunt her home. This play ended up being the game for Scappoose, as that play kept them leading 2-1 and prevented Astoria from walking things off as they would cash in on an error the very next inning to tie the game.

Warrenton falls to Banks

Warrenton’s softball team fell to Banks 9-1 in their league game.

The Braves dropped the hammer offensively as they scored four runs in the third innings and two in both the sixth and seventh. On the mound freshman pitcher Adelene Stewart was solid, giving up just three hits and eight total base runners in seven innings.

Warrenton now has three games left in the regular season and is ranked No. 10 in 3A. The Warriors look to be locked into third place in the league, so they will be on the road to start the postseason.

A home double header against Rainier on Thursday and a Tuesday home game against Corbett will wrap up the season.

Astoria boys let one slip away

In baseball, the Astoria boys had a thrilling upset brewing, but ultimately let it slip away.

Taking on rival Scappoose, the Fishermen jumped out to a 4-2 lead behind a four-run second inning.

After the Indians struck first with two in the first, the Fishermen put up a rousing response. Walks to Archer Hawkins and Dallas Norris started things off. A bunt single by Brayden Wintersteen loaded the bases. A fielders choice by Sam Schacher got them on the board, Astoria scored on an error to tie things up, then a Joey Gramlich double gave the Fishermen a 4-2 lead.

The score would stay that way until later in the game. Scappoose chipped away with one run in the fifth, tied things up in the sixth and then walked things off behind a pinch-hit home run from Matthew Neilson.

With the loss, Astoria falls to 4-5 in league play and third behind Tillamook. Though the Fishermen let one slip away, the Indians have shown they’re more vulnerable to upsets this year. The Fishermen have one more chance if they got a signature win on Wednesday. Astoria will need to win out in order to make the playoffs a sure thing as they currently are ranked No. 16.

Warrenton’s baseball successful

All is set for Friday afternoon.

With Banks being upended by Horizon Christian, the battle for league commences this Friday.

Warrenton took care of Rainier 11-2 behind a combined pitching effort from Ryan Palmer, Eli Neahring and Dylan Ballard.

At the plate, Zephan Pierce continued his tear with another 2-4 day. After missing 10 games mid season with an injury, the senior is now hitting at a blazing clip of .568 over his last 10 games. In total, Pierce is 21-37 with 10 runs scored, 10 RBIs and 5 doubles according to head coach Lennie Wolfe.

He had help from Ryan Palmer and RJ Thornton, as both of them had two hit days as well.