PENDLETON — Defending state champion Pendleton took its first step toward defending its crown with a 7-4 win Tuesday over Molalla in the first round of the 4A state playoffs at Bob White Field.

“Molalla is a quality program, and I thought our guys did a great job of creating pressure early,” Pendleton coach Justin Speer said. “The second inning was the difference for us, and we were  able to capitalize on some opportunities when they presented themselves.”

The Bucks (20-8), who have won eight games in a row, will play at No. 1 Henley on Friday in the second round. The Hornets beat Astoria 5-4 to advance.

After a scoreless first inning, the Bucks went to work in the bottom of the second, scoring four runs.

Tugg McQuinn put the first run on the board, sending Eli Smidt across the plate with a sacrifice fly to right field. Colin Harrington followed with an RBI double, and Vance Nelson finished the scoring with a two-run triple to right field.

The Indians (17-10) scored one run in the top of the third inning, and another in the top of the fifth to pull within 4-2.

Pendleton got one run back in the bottom of the fifth. Nelson reached base with his second triple of the game, then scored on a Grayson English sacrifice fly for a 5-2 lead.

“Vance Nelson had a big night both at the plate and on the mound in relief,” Speer said. “More importantly, I was proud of the way our team played together, executed the little things, and found a way to finish against a tough opponent.”

In the bottom of the sixth, the Bucks added a couple of insurance runs.

McQuinn hit an RBI double to left field, and Harrington followed with an RBI single to give the Bucks a 7-2 lead.

Molalla scored twice in the top of the seventh off a two-run single by Garrett Brusseau, but they could not catch the Bucks.

Harrington was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Nelson was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and McQuinn went 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

Harrington earned the win, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks over five innings. Nelson pitched the last two innings, giving up two runs on one hit with three strikeouts and two walks.

“Colin gave us exactly what we needed on the mound,” Speer said. “He competed, threw strikes and kept us in control of the game. When your starter can give you five strong innings, it sets the tone for the entire team.” 

Camdyn Morey took the loss for the Indians, giving up four runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Softball

HENLEY 12, PENDLETON 8 — The Bucks hit two home runs and out-hit the Hornets 11-10, but couldn’t get enough runs across the plate as they lost their first-round game in the 4A state playoffs in Klamath Falls.

“I think we gave them a pretty good fight,” Pendleton coach Tim Cary said. “I thought we showed up ready to play, had good energy and played pretty good defense. It’s just one of those unfortunate things. We ran into a pretty good hitting team.”

No. 7 Henley (17-19) will play Friday at No. 2 St. Helens. Pendleton finished its season with a 15-10 record.

The Hornets put the first run on the board in the first inning, and the Bucks responded with four runs in the top of the second.

Kelsi Primus led off the inning with a solo home run to center field and Rylee Jackson hit an RBI double. Jackson would later score on a passed ball, and Finley Evans, who was hit by a pitch, scored on an error by the catcher.

Pendleton added one more run in the top of the third as Katelyn Boatman scored on a double by Tatum Lambert for a 5-1 lead.

The Hornets struck back with five runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a three-run home run by Makayla Schroeder for a 6-5 lead.

The Bucks never folded. Primus hit an RBI single in the fourth to tie the score, and Pendleton took an 8-6 lead in the fifth with two more runs off a home run by Shaylor Fisher.

Henley battled back, scoring six runs in the bottom of the fifth to go out front 12-8.

Schroeder hit a solo home run to start the rally, Ollie Birch hit a two-run double, one run scored on a bases-loaded walk, another off a passed ball, and another off a sacrifice fly.

Neither team would score over the last two innings.

“We showed up and swung the bats well; we just need a few more runs,” Cary said.

Primus went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Cambria VanNice went 2-for-3, and Rylee Jackson was 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Fisher took the loss, allowing 12 runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and eight walks in 4 2/3 innings.

“She threw pretty well, but they had some timely hitting with people on,” Cary said.

The Buck will lose six players to graduation, but will return Fisher, who is a sophomore, and other young players who stepped into starting roles this season.

“It was a good year,” Cary said. “The nice thing is, we will have our pitcher back next year, and will have a ton of returning players. We are excited about what is coming back next year.”