Outlaw bats falter in loss to La Grande

Published 7:45 am Sunday, March 17, 2024

LA GRANDE — On the road and facing the 4A La Grande softball squad, the Enterprise/Joseph/Wallowa softball team saw the Tigers take a 14-2 victory in a shortened five-inning game on Thursday, March 14.

The Outlaw bats were quiet versus La Grande pitchers Austyn Meuser and Carlee Strand, with Strand striking out four Outlaws in two innings pitched.

The Outlaws (0-1 overall) have some time to figure things out as they don’t return to action until Tuesday, March 26, traveling to Butch Wilson Memorial Park in Pilot Rock to take the field versus both Echo-Stanfield (1-1 overall) and Pilot Rock/Nixyaawii 3-0 overall). The Outlaws first face the Cougars starting at 2 p.m. with a 3:30 p.m. start time slated for the Rockets.

Before the first game, the Outlaws softball team had earned a top 10 ranking in the Oregon School Activities Association’s first coaches’ poll of the season. The Outlaws made the list of top 3A teams across the state at No. 10.

A 3A Special District 4 opponent, the Hilanders of Burns/Crane, sit atop the early poll by the state’s coaches. The La Grande team was ranked No. 6 in the 4A voting.