Late rush powers Estacada over Madras

The first half of the Madras-Estacada softball game in Estacada was great for the White Buffalos. Unfortunately, the second half was not.

Madras led 7-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning. From there, they were outscored 17-1 the rest of the way and lost the Tri-Valley Conference game 18-8.

The Buffs committed seven errors to help the Rangers come back.

The Buffs came out blazing, scoring four runs in the top of the first. Ashley Camas was in the circle for the Buffs, and she limited the Rangers to one run in the bottom of the inning.

After a scoreless second inning, Madras punched out three more runs to go up 7-1. But that's when the wheels came off. Estacada exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the third to take control.

A bit demoralized after giving up its big lead, the Buffs gave up another four runs in the fourth and five in the fifth, including the final one which made the 10-run difference and ended the game.

"... the wheels fell off in the third and fourth," said Coach Shawna McConnell. "due to errors, timely hits and a couple walks. We just kind of quit and handed them the win."

Lily Moses was 2-for-3 for Madras and belted a two-run home run and collected another RBI on a single. Valerie Alonso was 2-for-2 with a double and a home run.

Camas lasted into the second inning but was replaced by Hailee Kathrein during the Rangers' third inning blowup. Kathrein finished the game.

The loss put Madras at 2-5 and in fourth place in the Tri-Valley race. Estacada is 5-2 and in third place. The Dalles leads at 7-0 and Crook County is 6-1.

The two teams meet in Madras Wednesday with game time at 4 p.m.