Submitted photos

Macy Temple letting the ball go by.

Burns High School varsity softball extended their undefeated season to 4-0 with a win over the previously undefeated Ontario Tigers on Monday, April 19.  

Prior to facing the Hilanders, Ontario averaged more than 20 runs a game. Burns held Ontario to one run over seven innings. 

Freshman Ayla Davies pitched the entire seven innings, striking out 17 and only allowing three hits.  

Davies led Burns with three hits on three at bats.  

In the third inning, Senior Allie Hueckman laid down a bunt and made it to first. The next batter, Davies, hit a single and advanced Hueckman. Davies then stole second, and Hueckman stole third. Hueckman was thrown out from catcher to third. Davies then delayed stealing third, causing the pitcher to miss the throw and was able to steal home. Hallie SkunkCap was able to hit a single at the next at bat, but a strikeout ended that inning.  

In the fifth inning, Hueckman was walked and then batted in by a double from Davies. Leading 2-1 at the end of the top of the seventh inning, the game concluded with a Hilander victory.

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Prior to playing Ontario, Burns defeated Baker JV 11-1 in their season opener and beat Vale in both games of a doubleheader 9-0 and 11-8. 

The second game against Vale went three extra innings, as it was tied 8-8 in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.  

SkunkCap and freshman Leaunna Dupuy both pitched three innings well against Vale in the second game, contributing greatly to the win, with Davies finishing the game. 

Regarding the current season, Head Coach Newt SkunkCap said, “Because of the change in sports, we had a small window to prepare for the softball season. The Lady Hilanders have been very motivated at practice and are improving every day. Although we can only have nine on the field, every one of our girls play a big role in our victories. We would not be as successful if we didn’t have the dedication of the entire team. All our girls also have a great sense of humor, always keeping their heads up and never failing to show great sportsmanship.”  Coach SkunkCap continued, “We have an outstanding pitcher who nearly breaks the sound barrier. The defense that surrounds the pitching mound are quick, smart, savvy, and throw frozen ropes.” 

Coach SkunkCap also gave a shout out to his coaching staff, stating, “We have a reliable coaching staff.”

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On Friday, April 23, the Hilander softball team traveled to Nyssa and defeated the Bulldogs 11-5 to remain undefeated at 5-0.

Ayla Davies pitched the game for the Hilanders, striking out 14 Nyssa batters and only allowing five hits. 

The Hildander infield played well, not allowing a batter to reach first until the fourth inning and not allowing a run until the fifth inning.  

A few errors in the sixth inning allowed Nyssa to start a comeback, but two strike outs and good fielding quickly ended Nyssa’s hopes of routing the Hilanders.  

In the first inning, Davies batted in Macy Temple and then Allie Hueckman batted in Davies to give the Hilanders an early 2-0 lead.  

The second inning saw the Hilanders extend their lead to 3-0 with a solid hit by Lacy Tiller.  

In the third inning, Huekman hit a double. She was then batted in by Hallie Houck, growing the Hilanders’ lead 4-0.The Hilanders also had a productive fourth inning. Kaiden Raif hit a double, sending Mackenzie King home. Temple executed a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, and Hallie SkunkCap was walked and stole second. Davies then batted in Raif and advanced SkunkCap to third. Merrissa Medley batted in SkunkCap, and Davies stole home. The fourth inning ended with the Hilanders leading 8-0.  

Nyssa got on the score board, and the fifth inning ended at 8-1.  

The Bulldogs were able to take advantage of several fielding errors to score four runs resulting in an 8-5 score at the end of the sixth inning.  

The seventh inning started off rough for the Hilander offense with two outs, but a single by Temple got the Hilanders on base. SkunkCap was hit by the pitcher, setting up two Hilanders on base. Temple then stole third, and SkunkCap stole second.  Davies drove in Temple and advanced SkunkCap to third with a single. Huekman then hit in SkunkCap. Davies then stole home to get the final run for the Hilanders resulting in an 11-5 lead. 

The Hilanders were able to strike out Nyssa’s final at bat.