The Philomath High School softball team ran into one of Class 4A’s top teams at La Grande Saturday and lost 19-0 in a game shortened to three innings on the mercy rule.
The Tigers have an 8-2 record this season but are undefeated against Oregon opponents — both of their losses came to Idaho teams in a tournament at Boise. Sophomore pitcher Carlee Strand threw a perfect game and struck out seven of the nine batters she faced.
La Grande scored 14 runs in the first inning alone, going through its lineup twice to build the big, early lead. Philomath pitchers walked eight batters and hit three with pitches in the first. The Tigers had just four hits in the inning, including a two-run double by senior Ava Hedden.
La Grande has outscored its last five opponents by a combined 90-5.
Philomath (1-7) will now get into Oregon West Conference play Monday with a home game against North Marion.
