Hoquiam dominates regional softball tourneys, book tickets to World Series

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Following dominating regional performances, two Hoquiam Babe Ruth softball teams are World Series-bound.

Hoquiam completed unbeaten runs to the the Pacific Northwest regional titles last weekend at Roseburg. The Hoquiam 16-U all-stars trounced host Umpqua Valley, 11-1, in the only title game necessary Saturday. Hoquiam topped West End of Forks, 11-4, in the 12-U championship contest Sunday.

The 16-U team advances to the Babe Ruth World Series beginning July 30 at Pittsfield, Mass. The 12-U all-stars begin World Series play the following week (Aug. 7-13) at Alachua, Fla.

Fundraising activities are currently under way to defray the national expenses for both teams, with the 16-U team facing a particularly tight deadline. Further information on the 16-U fundraising efforts may be obtained by contacting Julie Swor at (360) 580-2414 or 532-3339. Monetary donations for both teams can be sent to Hoquiam Babe Ruth Softball, PO Box 21, Hoquiam, 98550.

12-U

Hoquiam used a balanced attack to down West End in the title contest.

Kylee Bagwell went 3-for-3, including a double. Maya Jump added two hits, including a triple, while Maddie German had a double among her two hits. Jade and Jordan Cox and Abbi Spradlin also had two hits apiece.

Payton Parshall doubled and drove in three runs, while ReyLynn Dunn also doubled for Hoquiam.

Parshall, who received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award, was limited to three innings of pitching duty in the championship game. She both started and closed out the contest, with Randie Stewart handling the pitching chores in the middle innings.

German homered among her two hits and drove in two runs as Hoquiam opened bracket play Saturday with a 12-2 win over The Dalles, Ore. Bagwell added two hits to support the pitching of Spradlin.

Hoquiam survived its toughest test of the tournament by edging Umpqua Valley, 8-5, in the winners bracket final. Bagwell and Jump each had three hits in that game. Parshall went the distance in the circle to pick up the win.

“Every one of these girls contributed to every one of those wins,” Hoquiam manager Scott German said. “I’m very proud of the girls. Florida was their goal and they reached it.”

16-U

Tournament MVP English Hyde pitched a one-hitter as Hoquiam shut down Umpqua Valley in the title contest.

Jillian Swor, an offensive standout throughout the tournament, homered and singled for the Hoquiamites. Ashley Paladin’s RBI double, her second hit of the contest, ended the game via the 10-run mercy rule.

“We really came out and hit the ball the whole tournament,” Hoquiam manager Bob Hyde said. “We also played good defense, we made hardly any errors.”