Local girls ASA 18-A state champs in softball

Marl, Foxworthy, Persaud get it done as Renegades

The Clackamas Review, Jul 29, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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BEAVERTON – Three local girls played a role, as the Lake Oswego-based Renegades won the Oregon Amateur Softball Association 18-A Fastpitch Championship in competition here July 10-12.

Gladstone graduate Jillian Marl was a pitcher on the team. Gladstone senior-to-be Bailie Foxworthy played shortstop and outfield; Clackamas senior-to-be Kat Persaud was a shortstop and utility player.

The Renegades were dominant at the tournament, advancing to the championship final with wins in five or fewer innings in every game, and then defeating Willamette Valley Fastpitch of Marion County 7-4 in the title game.

The team advanced to the final through a 13-1 rout of Pendleton in five innings, a 10-0 shutout of Aloha Breeze in five innings, an 8-6 win over South Medford in a four-inning game called because of a time limit, and a 10-1 five-inning winners’ bracket rout of Willamette Valley Fastpitch.

The Renegades averaged nine runs a game for the tournament and they were so dominant that eight players on the team had batting averages better than .400 for the five tournament games.

Renegades coach Roy Rose commented: “Upon reflection of the weekend, and with over 20 years of coaching experience, this was the first time that it was difficult to single out a great performance by any one player or even a group of players….

“Each of the 15 athletes on the Renegade team is so accomplished that every senior will be playing college softball in 2010.

“Five of the team members were all-state selections, nine were on their high school honor roll and two were valedictorians. All 15 are involved in community service organizations….

“But what impressed me as a coach was the character that these girls showed throughout this journey. By nature, athletes of this caliber demand to be on the field at all times. We had great players sitting on the bench, whose role may have been limited to DH or running for a slower player. I cannot explain in words the pride I felt about the unselfish play of each and every one of these girls….”

The Renegades left earlier this week for Las Vegas, Nev., where they are representing Oregon and their communities in the ASA 18-A National Championship Tournament.