Hawks make early softball statement

WASHOUGAL — The Hockinson Hawks have a couple of lofty goals this softball season.

Make it to state is the top priority. Staying undefeated in league would be nice, too, according to pitcher Abby Runyon.

So far, the Hawks are on track.

Runyon struck out eight, and Hailey Runyon’s two-run hit in the fifth inning gave the Hawks a four-run lead Monday in what turned into a 4-2 victory over Washougal.

It remains early in the Class 2A Greater St. Helens League schedule — and R.A. Long is quite possibly the team to beat — but this was a test for the Hawks.

Washougal, too, was undefeated in league play after two games.

Now, the Hawks are 3-0.

“We put a lot of effort in,” Abby Runyon said.

Washougal’s Kayla Lagerquist hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth and was due up again in the bottom of the seventh.

Runyon and the Hockinson defense, though, got the Panthers in order in that final frame to secure the victory.

“I like the pressure,” Runyon said. “It’s not ideal, but it kind of feels good when you succeed when there is a lot of pressure.”

The Hawks managed five hits against Lagerquist, who ended up with six strikeouts.

Hockinson scored a run in the second inning, taking advantage of a walk and eventually scoring on a wild pitch. The Hawks made it 2-0 in the fourth — again scoring on a wild pitch — before Hailey Runyon’s shot down the third-base line scored two runs.

The Panthers got right back in it with Lagerquist’s two-run blast, but the Hawks retired eight of the next nine Washougal batters to escape town with the victory.