Chokers lose two close games as the Mt. Hood Community College Saints walk away victorious.

On Saturday 4/27 the rain was coming down and the weather looked gloomy as the Chokers warmed up to get ready to take on Mt. Hood, the number 2 team in the NWAC.  Playing at the local turf softball field in Sandy, OR, the game was determined to be played, even if it had to be delayed a couple hours.  Coaches got together with umpires before the game and discussed potential delayed game procedures.  All that being said, right before the first pitch, the rain stopped, the skies brightened up and the weather stayed dry for the next 5 hours for the double header to be played!

Game one was a story of soft line drives for the Saints as they they totaled 8 runs on 11 hits, however the Choker's pitcher, Carron Blood was able to hold the hard hitting Saints to only 2 extra base hits in the game, both being doubles.  While that doesn't seem that impressive, the Saints are 2nd in the conference in doubles and homeruns, thus proving this a pretty fantastic feat by Blood!

The Choker's offense was not on for game one as they only totaled 1 run on 2 hits, both hits and the RBI were by Reese Wiseman who tied the game at 1-1 on a double in the 3rd inning, scoring Cayleigh White who walked and stole 2B.

Game 2 was the same results but a different story for the game.  Chokers faced off against the leading strikeout pitcher in the NWAC and she proved to be as good as advertised, however, the Chokers did manage to tack on some hits and runs as they took the lead 1-0 early, scoring in the first inning on a leadoff hit by Wiseman and a double down the right field line by Madison Erickson to score Wiseman.  Ronni Graham, who got the start in the circle for the Chokers, held the Saints scoreless for the first 3 innings, and helped herself out by tacking on a solo homerun in the top of the 2nd inning, taking the lead 2-0.  The Saints did finally time up Graham as they put up 4 runs on 6 hits rather quickly.  The Chokers made a pitching change and Alexis Cudaback came into the circle and managed to shut down the Saints before they could do any more damage.  Leaving the 4th inning with a 4-2 lead, that was all the Saints needed as the Chokers couldn't scratch any more runs across despite having a couple more base runners over the last two innings.  

Overall it was a great showing by the Chokers.  With Mt. Hood arguably the best team in the Conference, the Chokers played them well and had a chance at both games late in innings.  After the games Coach White had this to say, "Our team played great today.  We talk about having clean defense and our pitchers limiting free bases and we did both of those today.  With Mt. Hood being the team that they are, if we play the rest of our season as well as we played them today, I see great things in our future!" 

As the Chokers left the field afterwards, they were wearing Flamingo glasses and holding Flamingo drink containers.  Over the last month or so it's been noticed this has become a theme of the Chokers.  They have a inflatable Flamingo in their dugout they've named Sizzle for homerun celebrations and have found keychains, stickers and now this.  I guess in the words to describe how amazing this team is and how great they have been playing of late, Stand Tall and Be Flamazing!

Weather depending, the Chokers will take on Chemeketa CC and SW Oregon CC this coming Friday and Saturday at home.  First pitch Friday is at 2pm.