By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

AURORA, Ore.–  Stayton bounced back from their first loss of the season to longtime rival Cascade on Saturday afternoon at North Marion against former Oregon West Conference-foe in the Huskies.

Jessica Rule continued her dominance.  In the six innings the Eagles and North Marion played, the junior struck out 13 while allowing just a Laura Cabrero single in the second inning. 

The single drove in the lone run of the game for the Huskies in the 11-1 game as Stayton got out of their heads as they were in back on Thursday points Rule as the Eagles improve to 7-1 on the season following the win.

“I think this game was really nice to come back and be like ‘ok, yes we lost that game.  But it’s ok, let’s focus on this.  One game at a time’,” Rule starts.  “That’s exactly what it was. 

“We just have to focus on…it doesn’t really matter what their name is  or how big they are, we just have to focus on playing together and not ‘I have to do this’.  We have to do this.  We have to play together and be supportive of each other.”

For North Marion, they were in the game with Stayton down 4-1 going into the fourth inning where the Eagles scored six runs and swung momentum into their favor over the course of the final two innings Saturday. 

“It showed us that we can compete when we play our A-game.  I think we let a couple of innings slip and then we pulled it back together.  So as long as we play our own game, then we can compete with the good teams,” Huskie pitcher Ana Fuentes said.  “I think just holding ourselves accountable to play our best game all the time.”

Fuentes struck out eight batters in six innings Saturday afternoon as North Marion travels to Junction City and Banks before entering Tri-Valley Conference play on April 11.

For Stayton, they return to Oregon West Conference play Monday when they travel to Sweet Home.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald