By Mike Weber
For Columbia Gorge News
THE DALLES — The No. 1-ranked The Dalles High Riverhawks (8-0) continued to have a great start in OSAA Class 4A softball, sitting undefeated through the early non-league early portion of their regular season schedule.
Even more impressive, their win streak more includes some of the top Class 4A and 5A teams in the state.
The Riverhawks, guided by second-year Coach Duane Witter and assistant Coach Jason Walters, played a grueling schedule last week with seven games in five days. The tough schedule had little effect on the Riverhawks, though, who have a remarkable offense (12.87 runs per game average) — the best out of all 32 4A squads.
“It’s always a good feeling to be ranked No. 1, and it’s nice being in that spot,” said Witter. “We have a great coaching staff and some great girls, so that’s what it really comes down to. I’m just the manager; I just put people out on the field where we think it will help us to have great success.”
An experienced Riverhawks squad (five seniors, five juniors) has produced an explosive offensive attack (103 runs scored). That was evident in the Lady Buff Classic Spring Break tournament March 23-24 at Madras High School. The Dalles faced three Class 5A squads and the 2A Lost River High Raiders. The Riverhawks won March 23, 12-1, over the No. 11-ranked Class 5A Crook County High Cowgirls (3-1). The Dalles won 10-3 over the defending 5A champion and No. 5-ranked Ridgeview High Ravens (4-2). On March 24, the Riverhawks displayed their high-powered offense one again with a 17-0 win over Lost River (3-3), followed by a 15-1 win over the 5A Milwaukie High Mustangs (2-4).
“I was surprised that we were able to beat Ridgeview, because they have pretty solid pitcher,” said Witter. “That win really put a feather in their caps for the girls. Then, in our home tournament last week, one of the teams competing there was the defending Class 3A state champion Scio High Loggers (8-1). We were not scheduled to play them, but it would’ve been nice to have a trifecta like that and an opportunity to get wins against three state champions.”
The Riverhawks returned home to play three games in the Steve Garett Memorial Tournament March 26-27 at 16th Street Ballpark in The Dalles. The Riverhawks faced the La Grande High Tigers (3-5), a 2025 state quarterfinal squad, in the first game of a March 26 doubleheader and won, 15-3. The Riverhawks then followed by scoring a season-high 20 runs in a 20-4 blowout win over Tillamook (2-4).
The Riverhawks met the defending 4A state champion and No. 2-ranked Astoria High Fishermen (5-1) on March 27 and won, 5-4. Dufur High junior Ainslee Eiesland hit a game-winning, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Dufur High junior Cadence Young (two RBI), Eiesland (two RBI) and senior Maddy Sagapolutele (home run) helped contribute to the Riverhawks offense. Senior pitcher Siyra Faulkner allowed five hits, with eight strikeouts and a walk.
The Riverhawks are one of five unbeaten 4A squads. They were hoping to extend their win streak in a March 31 home matchup versus the No. 4-ranked Scappoose High Indians (5-0), a 2025 state playoff quarterfinalist squad. Then, The Dalles will get a five-day break from competition.
“I’m looking forward to having a week off before our next game,” said Witter. “Last week was pretty hectic for us for sure, but it was good to get some wins.”
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