Viking softball leashes Bulldogs in season opener; Thompson named Pac-12 pitcher of the week

Viking Softball opens with win on the road

Jenicah Ecker had a triple and two stolen bases; Claire Waggoner had four RBI, a double and two stolen bases and the Siuslaw Vikings opened the softball preseason with an 18-5 win over the Bulldogs in Sutherlin Tuesday afternoon.  Heidi Jones went the distance in the circle for Siuslaw, Striking out eight and allowing just two hits on the day.  She helped herself offensively too… getting on base four times, scoring all four and stealing seven bases.  The Lady Viks will be at Sweet Home Friday afternoon.

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Florence native Pac-12 pitcher of the week; leads nation in wins

You could call it the second Oregon State baseball sweep in a week.  After taking all three games of a weekend series against Arizona State, two Beavers picked up Pac-12 Conference honors.  Cadyn Grenier was named the player of the week after going seven for 13 and batting .538 in the series.  Pitcher of the week honors went to Florence resident Jake Thompson who recorded a career high ten strikeouts in Saturday’s 4-nothing win.  The right-handed redshirt junior worked 7 1/3 innings, scattered two hits and three walks and did not allow a runner to reach third base.  He’s tied for the nation’s lead with a 5-0 record on the mound.  He has a 1.08 earned run average and has struck out 37 batters.