PENDLETON — Pendleton’s youth showed at times this season, but the Bucks softball team could always rely on senior Avery Quaempts for a big hit and a sense of calm when things got tough.
Quaempts’ leadership and talent did not go unnoticed as she earned first-team Greater Oregon League (GOL) honors as an infielder and second-team 4A all-state accolades.
Outfielder Finley Evans and pitcher Shaylor Fisher also earned first-team GOL honors. Evans also earned third-team all-state honors, while Fisher was named to the honorable mention team.
“It’s nice to see Avery, Finley and Shaylor be awarded with first-team honors,” Pendleton coach Tim Cary said. “They are very deserving, and the other coaches in the league have been very complimentary about each of them. We have another player or two that I feel are also deserving of this honor, but sometimes the votes simply don’t go your way. It’s definitely nice to see that we had several players selected to the second team.”
Quaempts, the Bucks’ shortstop, led the team in batting average (.488), hits (40), home runs (8) and RBIs (37). She also hit 18 singles, 10 doubles, four triples and had eight stolen bases. Defensively, she helped turn five double plays.
Evans hit .313 in 80 at-bats. She had 25 hits, including 13 singles, six doubles, four triples and two home runs. She drove in 19 runs, scored 32 runs and led the team with nine stolen bases. Defensively, Evans had just two errors in 48 total chances (.958%).
Fisher, just a sophomore, threw the lion’s share of pitches for the Bucks. She threw 104 2/3 innings in 16 starts. She had a 9-7 record with a 4.28 ERA. Fisher gave up 142 hits, struck out 56 and walked 39.
Also for the Bucks, Tatum Lambert, Katelyn Boatman and Maryn Broker were named to the GOL second team as infielders. At the same time, outfielders Cambria VanNice and Rylee Jackson were also named to the second team. Kelsi Primus was a second-team utility player, and Broker was also a second-team pitcher.
The Bucks finished 5-3 in GOL play and 15-10 overall. They played in the first round of the 4A state playoffs, where they lost a 12-8 game to Henley.
“All in all, we had a decent season,” Cary said. “We were young in some key positions, which made things a bit more challenging. We are very excited about our returning players for next season that have been able to gain valuable experience throughout the season.”
Greater Oregon League
Player of the year — Colbi Bachman, jr., Baker
Pitcher of the year — Reagan Ritter, sr., Baker
Coach of the year — Steve Bachman, Baker
First team
Catcher — Macey Morgan, jr., Baker. Infield — Keira Counsell, sr., La Grande; Kallyn Harnack,, sr., La Grande; Maddie Seavert, sr., La Grande; Avery Quaempts, sr., Pendleton. Outfield — Maylee Martin, jr., Baker; Grace Radabah, fr. Baker; Finley Evans, jr., Pendleton. Utility — Cassidy Hogge, sr., La Grande. Pitcher — Shaylor Fisher, so., Pendleton; Reagan Gulick, sr., Baker.
Second team
Catcher — Bri Medrano, sr., Pendleton. Infield — Tatum Lambert, sr., Pendleton; Kate Nilson, jr., Baker; Jaxyn Ramos, jr., Baker; Katelyn Boatman, sr., Pendleton; Maryn Broker, sr., Pendleton. Outfield — Peyton Daggett, sr., La Grande; Cambria VanNice, sr., Pendleton; Partyn Barr, so., Baker; Rylee Jackson, so., Pendleton. Utility — Kelsi Primus, jr., Pendleton. Pitcher — Cassidey Hogge, sr., La Grande; Kallyn Harnack, sr., La Grande; Maryn Broker, sr., Pendleton.
