By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

STAYTON, Ore.–  Wyatt Connally was on a mission out of the gate in his first start back in a Stayton uniform, going to distance and striking out 13 in the Eagles home-opening win over Valley Catholic 11-2 Wednesday afternoon.  Setting the pace on the bump, but credits his defense and their communication in giving him the confidence to do what he does best as the Stayton squad rebounded from their tough 2-1 defeat to Gladstone on Tuesday.

“A lot of talk the whole game, everyone just being loud and energetic, everything else,” Connally starts.  “We had eight hits (offensively) and we were able to put it together and the guys did great.  That’s really what it is, we were coming off of a tough loss to Gladstone 2-1 and were able to play some good defense and make plays when we needed to.  Hit the ball when we needed to.

“We saw yesterday like ‘alright here it is’ and it was a close one, good game.  But I think it brought energy into today and knowing what we needed to do to get the ‘W’ and it really showed with how the guys played.  It’s a day-by-day thing.  Today is one game, we have practice tomorrow and we have a big game Friday.  Just going day-by-day.”

Connally and Daniel Odenthal each drove in 3RBI’s on 2-for-3 hitting.  Conner Choate also went 2-for-3 hitting for the Eagles with 2RBI’s as nine of the Stayton 11 runs came away off the runs-batted-in route.  Ben Cupani led the Vailants with three hits and Zach Wesselman and Justin Lulay each had an RBI as Valley Catholic host Estacada on Friday.  The Eagles host Yamhill-Carlton Friday, the Tigers reached the 3A State Semifinals before falling to eventual State Champions South Umpqua.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald