By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

MILL CITY, Ore.-  It was probably the best defensive game of the year for the Santiam softball team as they opened the 2A/1A State Playoffs Friday.  

A double play here, pick-off at second there, strong overall defense that only allowed three hits anchored by senior McKenna Dodge who struck out five.

It was the last time that these group of seniors, led by 2A/1A Special District 3 Coach of the Year Greg Grenbemer, were to play on their home field after a historic season that featured their first-ever League Championship and an undefeated league season.

“It was pretty awesome.  I knew I was struggling a little bit, but my defense did really well and I’m really proud of them all,” said McKenna Dodge.  “It was one of the best games we’ve ever played, everyone did their best and we all did very well.”

Santiam jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning.  McKenna Dodge drove two runs in off a double, driving home Boston Flores and Linsey Briley before McKayla Dodge drove her twin sister home the next at-bat with a triple.  

From there though, the Red Devils held Santiam scoreless.  The Wolverines had 11 hits in the game, but couldn’t add to their lead until the bottom half of the sixth inning when they plated two more runs as more of a cushion.  Their defense did the leg work to help keep them ahead as they awaited that one last burst.

“We’ve been working towards that lately and we felt like one.  I don’t know, we had fun out there,” said Maddie Allen.  “We were talking out there, like a whole lot.  I think if we can communicate like we just did today, I think we’ll have a really good chance of playing a great game tomorrow at Grant Union.”

And despite a rough start to the top of the seventh with the Red Devils loading up the bases, a double play and a ground-out on back-to-back at-bats kept the damage to one run as Santiam advances to the Elite 8 to play the 2A/1A Defending State Champions in Grant Union/Prairie City Friday at 4:30pm.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald