Wild weekend on the diamond for local teams

TL;DR

Astoria girls softball team excelled with three consecutive wins, while Warrenton boys baseball faced an unexpected defeat. Knappa's teams had crucial matchups, with the boys finding their rhythm in baseball.

Key points

Astoria girls softball team won three games in a row
Warrenton boys baseball suffered a surprising defeat
Knappa's baseball team played a crucial series against Portland Christian
Knappa's softball team continued their winning streak
Astoria boys baseball improved their performance

Astoria girls softballWarrenton boys baseballKnappa baseballKnappa softball

The Astoria girls softball team dominated another top five team on Friday, Warrenton boys suffered a surprising defeat in baseball, Knappa’s baseball team faced off in a crucial three-game set against Portland Christian, Knappa’s softball team kept rolling — and the Astoria boys found their baseball footing.

Here’s what happened on the diamond this weekend.

Astoria’s softball team puts on a clinic

Like they have done the last couple seasons, the Astoria girls softball team seems to be flipping a switch into playoff mode.

After a recent three-game losing streak the Fishermen have responded with three impressive wins against Seaside, St. Helens and now North Bend.

Taking on previously undefeated North Bend on Friday night, the Fishermen made sure the battle of 4A top five teams was their own personal show. The Fishermen played host to North Bend/Reedsport and handed them their first loss of the season with a 10-0 victory. The Bulldogs came into the game ranked No. 3 in 4A and 10-0 on the season.

Junior hurler Taryen Wray was the standout for Astoria in this one as she gave up just one hit in her six innings of work. Wray also struck out 12 batters to continue her battle with Ashlynne Franssen of Gladstone. As of April 23, they were the only 4A pitchers to be over the 100 strikeout mark at this point in the season.

At the plate, Wray tallied three hits and knocked in two runs. Wray had two doubles and one triple in a stellar performance. Hailey Svensen and Lyla Carlson also had three hits in the game. Svensen had two RBIs and two stolen bases, while Carlson also had a walk. In total, the Fishermen accumulated 12 hits in a dominant victory.

The win kept them at No 2 in 4A behind league rival Scappoose.

Banks boys baseball v. Warrenton boys baseball a late stunner

Chaos has ensued in the boys 3A Coastal Range League.

After Horizon Christian defeated both Warrenton and Banks recently, the Hawks looked to be on cruise control. But crazy things can happen in baseball.

Horizon Christian was upended by both Corbett and Neah-Kah-Nie to drop to 5-2 in league. This made Friday afternoon’s game between old rivals Warrenton and Banks all the more important.

Based on the rankings, this should have been a Warrenton victory, but the Banks team has been showing signs of life the last couple of weeks after many believed them to be dead in the water.

Like many of the games played between these two teams, it was a pitchers duel. Warrenton starter Ryan Palmer and Banks pitcher Cris Medina engaged in a classic back and forth affair with both starters throwing up zeroes through five innings.

The Warriors broke through with a run in the top of the sixth inning, but Banks struck back in the bottom half with a death punch. The Braves finally got to Palmer and reliever Dylan Ballard to score three runs and defeat Warrenton 3-1. This victory catapulted Banks to the top of the 3A standings.