Softball Recap: Estacada Takes a Loss

Estacada dropped to 20-7 on Friday, ending the team's three-game streak of wins on the road. They fell just short of the Gladstone Gladiators by a score of 2-1. The Rangers were red-hot at the plate heading into the game (they scored no less than ten runs in the four contests prior), but the Gladiators' pitcher proved too tough.

As for Gladstone, the victory was the fifth in a row for them, bringing their record up to 14-12. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.0 runs over those games.

For Gladstone's part, Ashlynne Franssen spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered a run (which was unearned) on one hit and racked up 17 Ks. Franssen has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in nine consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Gladstone saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Natalee Marvin, who went 2-for-3 with one run.

Coincidentally, Estacada and Gladstone will both be playing The Dalles the next time they take the field. The Gladiators will head out to face the Riverhawks at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, while the Rangers will head out to face them at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.