South Eugene Recaps

Monday April 3rd League Opener
SEHS 5 NEHS 2
Riding the complete game effort of Michael "Big Train" Ward, the South Eugene Axemen defeated the North Eugene Highlanders 5-2 at Swede Stadium on Monday. Ward scattered four hits and struck out eight in his 88 pitch complete game effort. South continued to show a balanced offensive attack, paced by sophomore center fielder Travis Rooke-Ley.

Lead-off man Rooke-Ley was 2-2, on base four times, scored three runs and added a first inning circus catch in center field for good measure. The game's big blow was a three run home run by Ward's battery mate Ben Kiesse. The stellar junior catcher's blow gave South an insurmountable 5-0 lead. Ward would not be denied this afternoon. The senior pitching in his last league game at Swede, was as focused and intense as this reporter has ever seen him. Not good news for Midwestern league opponents. South will host Marshfield on Wednesday and come back with Ward at home on Friday vs. Sheldon

Wednesday Mar 29th
South takes two at Pleasant Hill
Sam Holman went six for seven with a home run, leading South Eugene to a twin bill sweep of Pleasant Hill on Thursday. In the first game, sophomore Travis Rooke-Ley pitched five solid innings leaving with a 4-0 lead when the late afternoon thunderstorms came. After a 45 minute rain delay, senior Nate Wilson-Traisman pitched two innings for the save in South’s 4-2 win. The Axeman continued their consistent hitting up and down their lineup with run scoring singles by Dan O’Brien , Nate Wilson-Traisman, Ethan Trachtenberg and Sam Holman.
In the second game, played in winter like conditions, South prevailed 9-6, warmed by the hot bat of Holman, withstanding two home runs by P Hill’s senior standout Tyrell Poggemeyer. Sophomore Aaron Turk gave a game effort, Ethan Trachtenberg pitched an inning before giving way to Wilson-Traisman who pitched another scoreless inning for his second save in as many games. The game was called after six innings.
South Eugene concludes their pre-season with a five game win streak heading into Monday’s opener at Swede vs. North Eugene. Michael Ward will take the ball for South vs. John Keller for North.

Jack Carpenter's two out, two run, bases loaded single was the big hit in South Eugene's 6-3 victory over Siuslaw on Wednesday. Carpenter paced an 11 hit SEHS attack which saw contributions up and down the lineup in support of Dan O'Brien's six hit complete game. South combined timely hitting, agressive baserunning and solid defense to remain undefeated at home. The Axemen travel to Pleasant Hill for a Thursday 3/30 doubleheader.

Monday Mar 27th 2-3-1
South Eugene 4 Roosevelt 3
The South Eugene Axemen used some timely hitting to ride the complete game, 10 K pitching of Michael Ward in a 4-3 home win over Roosevelt on Monday. A lively crowd including many rival Midwestern league coaches and players took advantage of the warm spring break day to take in the game at Civic Stadium.
Ward, one of the top pitchers in the state showed his experience and grit on a day when he didn’t have his best stuff. Senior shortstop Nate Wilson-Traisman paced South’s offense with two triples in his first two at bats, scoring both times on RBI singles by senior catch Aaron Pratt. Junior Dan O’Brien made a fine running catch in deep right field to end the game with the tying run at third base.
South will host Siuslaw on Wed. and travel to Pleasant Hill to play two on Thursday.

WEDNESDAY March 22nd 1-3-1
South Eugene 3 Pleasant Hill 3
Tyrell Poggemeyer's fifth inning bases loaded double erased a 3-0 South Eugene lead and forced a 3-3 tie in a game that was called on account of darkness. The game will be replayed at a later date.

Led by seniors Michael Ward and Nate Wilson-Traisman, the South Eugene Axeman nailed down their first win of the season Monday, defeating Marist 4-1 on a wet, slow Civic Stadium field.

After giving up late leads in two of their first three losses, Wilson-Traisman pitched a flawless seventh inning to support the six inning, seven strikeout effort of teammate Michael Ward and secure South's home opening win. In addition, shortstop Wilson-Traisman was 2-3 with a double, rbi, run scored and a walk. Designated hitter Ben Kiesse continued his torrid early season hitting adding two hits.

SATURDAY March 18th 0-3
North Medford 8 South Eugene 2
South Medford 7 South Eugene 1
Ben Kiesse collects 4 of Axemen's 10 hits on the day, including a solo homer against North Medford. Starters O'Brien and Rooke-Lay toss five and three scoreless innings respectively before Medford schools roll.

WEDNESDAY 15th 0-1
Redmond 8 S Eugene 7
Sam Holman knocks a 2-run dinger for Axemen, but Lava Bears come from behind in sixth to win.