Bittersweet Ending

By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

MEDFORD, Ore.– The emotions were high for Stayton-graduate Jade Beaumont and the NW Vandals 18A-Dippel squad Saturday afternoon at the US Cellular Fields in South Medford.

It was a bittersweet way to end the 18A Western Nationals after they wheeled off two stellar victories to get to the 1pm game against the Montana Avalanche 18A, two wins away from Sunday’s dash to the Western Nationals Title. Beaumont was part of the then-Vandals 14U squad three years ago that won the Title coming up through the loser’s bracket as the 18’s was trying to do this weekend all these years later.

“It’s a happy moment, but it’s also a sad moment because I’m going to be in-touch with all of these girls and (Head Coach) Dave (Dippel) will be there no matter what. But just not being on the team anymore and being in that tight-circle all the time kind of sucks,” Beaumont said.

“We battled really hard and we made it work.”

Beaumont running down to first base in the NW Vandals 18A-Dippel’s 6-2 defeat to the Montana Avalanche Saturday afternoon in Medford (Picture By Jeremy McDonald)

Beaumont was 4-for-12 in four bracket play games. Philomath’s Kaili Saathoff was 7-for-13 over the span and Sidnee Holloway led the Vandals with 7RBI’s in the four games to Allyson Nordling 5RBI’s.

For Beaumont, it’s not the end of the road however. Similar to a few of her travel ball teammates, her High School teammate Cedella Ritchie that played with her on the Vandals since the Fall, the Eagles outfielder will be heading to the collegiate level.

Recently verbally committing to Blue Mountain Community College where she will work towards being a veterinarian technician, stemming from her love of animals from an early age as she embarks on this next chapter of her life.

“I’ve always wanted to work with animals, ever since I was little…I don’t know how I would handle surgeries, let alone doing them myself” Beaumont joked with a smile. “But I’m excited for it. I think it’ll be a good after-college path; I don’t think I want to change my major because I’ve been set on this and I’ve been excited to work with animals. I think it’ll be good.”

Photos By Jeremy McDonald