The Philomath High School softball team opened the season Tuesday with a tall order against last year’s 5A state runner-up Lebanon in a 12-0 loss in five innings.
Lebanon sophomore Tatum Cole hit two home runs and drove in four runs offensively and threw a one-hitter with no walks and 12 strikeouts in the circle. In all, Lebanon finished with 11 hits — five of those for extra bases. It was the fourth straight time that the 5A Warriors have defeated Philomath.
Philomath junior Kaylie Kohler broke up Cole’s bid for a season-opening perfect game by reaching on a single to lead off the fifth inning. Freshman Hailey King went the distance and had five strikeouts in her first high school start for PHS.
Philomath (0-1) is scheduled to play at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Junction City.
