2019 SOU softball starting lineup

@allie_stines @SOURaiders @SOU_Softball @__averymarie @quirkey_15 ‏@livvv_mackey @ShimekHannah @paigemleeper @taylerrwalkerr @HannahWessel1 ‏@tiiaannaa_

“Murderers’ Row” refers to the 1927 Yankees, who batted a combined .307–shy of the Tigers’ record .316 in 1921. League averages were much higher then (about .290–similar to the NAIA softball average–compared to about .260 in recent decades for MLB).

Flash forward almost one hundred years to this group. They are hitting a combined .369 as a team (and even higher for this starting crew of nine). That puts them at #2 in the NAIA among teams with over 1,500 plate appearances (and #4 if that number is lowered to 1,300). In the 10-team Cascade Conference they have five of the top 12 hitters and all nine are in the top 25.

We’ll find out later today what three teams will be coming to Medford next week to try to prevent the Raiders from moving on to the NAIA Softball World Series in Springfield, Missouri. Last year SOU went in as the #8-ranked team (and knocked off #15 St. Francis to move on). This year they will likely go in ranked #4 or #5 and face two teams lower in the rankings as well as an unranked team.

May 7th, 2019 | Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens, allie stines, avery morehead-hutsell, hannah shimek, hannah wessel, lauren quirke, Nikon D500, olivia mackey, paige leeper, Raider Athletics, softball, tayler walker, Tiana Brown | Category: only in ashland | Comments Off on Murderers’ Row

Gabby Sandoval

@ShimekHannah @SOURaiders @SOU_Softball @gabbysandoval14

Details here.

Kevin Tunnell

Hannah Shimek

May 6th, 2019 | Tags: Gabby Sandoval, hannah shimek, kevin tunnell, Raider Athletics, softball, track and field | Category: only in ashland, people | Comments Off on Players of the Week

Lauren McGowne

@SOURaiders @LMcGowne

May 6th, 2019 | Tags: Lauren McGowne, Nikon D500, Raider Athletics, track and field | Category: only in ashland, people | Comments Off on Happy birthday, Lauren McGowne!

@CAStateParks

About an hour and half drive south of Ashland on I-5 will put you in Castle Crags State Park. There are several hikes to choose from; we did Castle Dome and Indian Springs which total about 6 miles. That may not sound like much, but with over 2,200 feet of elevation gain (and, of course, descent as well) this is a strenuous hike. The views are totally worth it though.

Indian Springs is probably skipped by most, but I found that little piece of the hike to be totally worth it (on the way down).

May 5th, 2019 | Tags: AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Lens, california, castle crags, hike, landscape, Nikon D500, wildlife | Category: nature, outside of ashland | Comments Off on Castle Crags Dome Hike

Lauren Quirke

@SOURaiders @SOU_Softball @quirkey_15 ‏

Today at 2 p.m. Southern Oregon will face off against Oregon Tech, a team which has dominated the conference this year–except when they play SOU. Against everyone else, the Owls are 23-1, but the Raiders are a perfect 3-0 against Tech.

A win today means just one win will be necessary on Sunday to win the tournament. A loss today means three wins will be required on Sunday. Winning the tournament may be necessary to keep a top six ranking and a “pole position” in the NAIA College World Series.

May 4th, 2019 | Tags: lauren quirke, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D500, Raider Athletics, softball | Category: only in ashland, people | Comments Off on Raiders playing for an “easy” Sunday today at 2

2019 CCC softball award winners

@allie_stines @SOURaiders @SOU_Softball @gabbysandoval14

Details here.

May 3rd, 2019 | Tags: AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Lens, allie stines, Gabby Sandoval, jessica pistole, Nikon D500, Raider Athletics, softball | Category: only in ashland, people | Comments Off on Raiders take home three of the top four awards

Red & White Spring Game

@SOURaiders @SOU_Football

Details here.

Free student tailgate info here.

May 2nd, 2019 | Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lens Nikon, football, Nikon D500, Raider Athletics | Category: only in ashland, people | Comments Off on 2019 Red & Black Spring Football

@SOURaiders @SOU_Softball @livvv_mackey

Details here.

May 1st, 2019 | Tags: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lens Nikon, Nikon D500, olivia mackey, Raider Athletics, softball | Category: only in ashland, people | Comments Off on Raiders set to host 2019 CCC Softball Championships

Last week we flew from Medford to Salt Lake City. I’ve made that trip a number of times, although not recently, and this was the first time we went by air. The views, even though it was the middle of the day (so no sunrises or sunsets), were quite nice.

April 30th, 2019 | Tags: aerial, mountains, Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED AF-S VR, Nikon D750 | Category: outside of ashland | Comments Off on MFR to SLC