MHCC SPORTS UPDATE

Jackson Hamelund The Advocate

Softball

On Tuesday, May 2, the Saints welcomed the No. 1 softball team in the Southern Region of the Northwest Athletic Conference, the Lakers of Southwestern Oregon Community College.

After being swept in Coos Bay, including a 1-0 heartbreaker in 10 innings, Mt. Hood was looking for vengeance and to keep rolling – especially after a walk-off win against Lower Columbia. The Saints would not get that vengeance in Game 1, being shut out 4-0, but they released all their energy in Game 2, starting with a 2-run shot to left center by Lexi Geary to jump out ahead. The Lakers didn’t go just away, and tied things in the fifth inning, but Mt. Hood also scored in the 5th to retake the lead then absolutely blew things open in the

There’s also been support for her outside of Building 18. Part of this program is going out into the field and working at a local body shop for a term. Out of the eight total quarters of study, students spend quarters two, four, six, and eight working in their assigned shop, away from Mt. Hood classmates. Kennedy was the only female tech in her shop, but had no issues. “It was weird being an 18-year-old woman surrounded by 40-year-old men, but they were all very kind. I had really good time in the shop, (although) it was definitely hard,” she said.That last part is natural, and by design. “I definitely did not feel ready to go to the sixth, adding six more insurance runs and sealing a 9-2 victory.

The shop she currently works for specializes in serving European vehicles, a nice match for her. Her first interest in cars came from when she got a 1996 Volvo 850 turbo wagon and she “immediately fell in love with it,” she said. That led to her and her dad working on it together and realizing how much she loved working on cars.

Back in the classroom, Kennedy said she is more comfortable than her first term last fall, and continues to gain confidence.

After she completes the program, “The plan right now is to potentially work for BMW or Porche. I really like the cars they make,” she said.

The Saints host Centralia College today (Friday, May 12) in their final regular season games. Then, it will be onto the playoffs. The defending champion, Mt. Hood (33-7 overall) currently holds the No. 5 overall seed and would be matched against No. 12 and Southern foe Lower Columbia.

The NWAC championship tournament will be held at north Portland’s Delta Park this coming Thursday-Sunday (May 18-21).

TRACK & FIELD IN THE HOOD

Mt. Hood will once again be hosting the NWAC Track and Field championship meet on Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23. Several Saints athletes will be competing.

Baseball Nears A Wrap

As for baseball, the NWAC championship tournament will be at Lower Columbia College in Longview on May 2529. As of May 11, the Mt. Hood squad sat just outside of a playoff berth.