Three home runs–including two from Gracie White–powered Henley (10-2, 4-0) to another run-rule win over Klamath Union (5-6, 0-4) Thursday.
A two-out grand slam by Anna Harper (her second home run in as many games) was the highlight of a 10-run first inning for the Hornets that saw them send 15 batters to the plate.
Henley couldn’t quite maintain that level of offense in the next couple innings, though. White’s first homer was the Hornets’ only hit of the second inning (it came after Haydyn Higgins reached on a dropped third strike), and they didn’t score at all in the third.
White hit another two-run bomb to put Henley up 14-0 in the fourth. Anna Harper nearly followed suit in her next at-bat, but a deep drive to centerfield stayed in by the thinnest of margins, bouncing off the top of the fence and back into play. It was still good enough for a stand-up double, which allowed Samantha Moore to end the game with a liner to left field that scored Suzy Nichols and Harper, making the final score 16-0.
Harper was 3-for-4 with 4 RBI; White was 2-for-3 with 4 RBI; Moore was 3-for-3 with 2 RBI; Annie Campos and Belle Birch were both 2-for-3 with 1 RBI; and Nichols and Layliana Segura were both 1-for-2 with 1 RBI. Campos got the start in the circle and allowed 1 hit in 2 innings while issuing 1 walk and striking out 5. White came on to pitch the last 2 innings and allowed 3 hits with 1 strikeout.
Although they had a better day at the plate Thursday, Klamath Union still struggled in the field; eight of Henley’s runs were unearned.
Despite only playing one game, the Hornets gained two wins (and were relieved of a loss) Thursday. Scappoose, who beat Henley 12-2 at the North Medford Spring Break Tournament March 25, had to forfeit that and eight other wins for reasons currently unknown.
Henley is scheduled to host Mazama (3-5, 0-2) for a doubleheader Saturday with the first game starting at 12 p.m.
