The Philomath High School softball team opened the season Wednesday with a 16-5 victory in five innings at Blanchet Catholic.
The Warriors (1-0) shot out to a 10-0 lead in the first inning and led 13-0 in the second before the Cavaliers could break through and get on the scoreboard. By the end, Philomath had collected 15 hits in the rout.
At the plate, sophomore Hailey Smith went 3 for 4 with a triple, home run, four RBIs and three runs scored. Junior Sierra Skaggs had a 3-for-3 game with two RBIs and four runs scored. Sophomore Libby Kramer went 2 for 2. Sophomore Rylee Martin finished 2 for 3 with three runs. Junior Haley King had a two-run double.
King pitched all five innings and allowed eight hits and five runs with one walk and seven strikeouts.
Sophomore Ella Rieke and sophomore Alexandra Haessler each had two hits for Blanchet Catholic (0-2).
The Warriors will next see action in the Battle of the Beach tournament at Newport. Philomath will face Pendleton (9 a.m.) and Estacada (1 p.m.) on Monday followed by matchups against Yamhill-Carlton (11 a.m.) and Nyssa (1 p.m.) on Tuesday.
Philomath 16, Blanchet Catholic 5 (5)
Wednesday, March 18, at Blanchet Catholic HS, Salem
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E Philomath (1-0) 10 3 1 0 2 16 15 2 Blanchet Catholic (0-2) 0 2 1 2 0 5 8 3
King and Mason. WP — King. LP — Bearce. 2B — King. 3B — Smith. HR — Smith.