Echo junior Mackenzie Gonzales delivers a pitch early during the Cougars' 14-0 rout of Colton on Thursday in Echo.

After coming one step short of a state championship at the 2A/1A level in 2015, the Weston-McEwen TigerScots embarked on a new journey in 2016 as they moved up to Class 3A.

But the move up did not have much negative effect on the TigerScots, as they earned the Eastern Oregon League regular season and district titles and advanced to the second round of the Class 3A state tournament before falling in extra innings to Pleasant Hill. They accomplished these feats with a solid combination of top-line talent and steady coaching, and both efforts were recognized by the rest of the league.

Senior pitcher Jessica Lambert was chosen as the league’s Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, and head coach Jeff Griggs was chosen as Coach of the Year for leading the team to a 19-5 overall record.

Lambert, who will pitch collegiately at Wenatchee Valley Community College beginning in the fall, was a force in the pitching circle and at the plate in 2016, leading the team in every pitching category as well as home runs and RBIs. In the circle, she finished 15-4 with an ERA of 1.37 in 105 innings, while striking out 167 batters and walking just 18. And on offense, Lambert hit .449 with 6 home runs, 43 RBI, 11 doubles, and 17 runs scored in 89 at-bats.

Weston-McEwen also placed four players on the first team: catcher Sydney Peal (.406 avg., 1 HR, 20 RBI), shortstop Isabelle Dillow (.580 avg., 2 HR, 24 RBI, 46 runs), third baseman Jordyn Lambert (.514 avg., 6 HR, 28 RBI), and outfielder Amie Coffman (.412 avg., 26 runs, 13 stolen bases).

Making second team for the TigerScots were second baseman Bailey Hillmick (.456 avg., 40 runs), outfielder Charmayne Bennett (.439 avg., 4 HR, 31 runs), and utility player Ashley Hill (.345 avg., 1 HR, 19 RBI).

The Echo Cougars also had a tremendous season in the Eastern Oregon League, finishing second in the district and earning a trip to the state tournament. The Cougars were well represented in the all-league teams, earning five first team selections, one second team selection and one honorable mention.

The first team selections were pitcher MacKenzie Gonzales (11-8, 2.49 ERA, 122 K’s, 117.2 IP), catcher Erika Parks (.301 avg., 19 RBI, 27 runs, 19 stolen bases), first baseman Kenzie Blankenship (.402 avg., 7 HR, 32 RBI, 10 doubles), outfielder Hannah McCarty (.400 avg., 37 runs), and designated player Raychal Campana (.391 avg., 12 RBI).

Infielder Cheyenne Hilliard was Echo’s lone secon dteam selection (.402 avg., 25 RBI, 27 runs) and outfielder Jamie Christopher was named honorable mention (.253 avg., 19 RBI, 33 runs).

The Riverside Pirates were represented by pitcher Skylar Wightman on second team and first baseman Sadie Hasbell an honorable mention.

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EOL All-League 2016

SOFTBALL

Player of the Year: Jessica Lambert, sr., Weston-McEwen

Pitcher of the Year: Jessica Lambert, sr., Weston-McEwen

Coach of the Year: Jeff Griggs, Weston-McEwen

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers

MacKenzie Gonzales, jr., Echo/Stanfield

Jessica Lambert, sr., Weston-McEwen

Catchers

Erika Parks, sr., Echo/Stanfield

Sydney Peal, jr., Weston-McEwen

Infield

Isabelle Dillow, sr., Weston-McEwen

Jordyn Lambert, fr., Weston-McEwen

Hannah Mizuta, jr., Vale

Asucena Trujillo, sr., Nyssa

Outfield

Amie Coffman, fr., Weston-McEwen

Hannah McCarty, jr., Echo/Stanfield

Lexi Mulvany, jr., Vale

First Base

Kenzie Blankenship, sr., Echo/Stanfield

Utility

Mariah Moulton, so., Grant Union

Designated Player

Raychal Campana, sr., Echo/Stanfield

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers

Kelsey Hawley, jr., Vale

Skylar Wightman, so., Riverside

Catchers

Gracie Jacobs, fr., Vale

Brianna Zweygardt, so., Grant Union

Infield

Cheyenne Hilliard, sr., Echo/Stanfield

Bailey Hillmick, jr., Weston-McEwen

Amanda Trenkel, jr., Vale

Rayvn Walker, jr., Grant Union

Outfield

Charmayne Bennett, so., Weston-McEwen

Darby Gassett, jr., Enterprise/Joseph/Wallowa

Jocelynn Smith, sr., Grant Union

First Base

Natalie Williams, sr., Enterprise/Joseph/Wallowa

Utility

Ashley Hill, jr., Weston-McEwen

Designated Player

Natalie Stearns, jr., Grant Union

HONORABLE MENTION

Pitcher

Cody Madden, so., Grant Union

Catcher

Madison Mitchell, jr., Nyssa

Infield

Madison Plew, so., Enterprise/Joseph/Wallowa

Outfield

Jamie Christopher, sr., Echo/Stanfield

Whitney McClellan, so., Grant Union

Sicily Simpson, jr., Elgin/Imbler

Kelsy Weber, sr., Vale

First Base

Sadie Hasbell, jr., Riverside

Olivia Olvera, sr., Nyssa

Utility

Bridgett Dunham, sr., Umatilla

Lucy Trujillo, jr., Nyssa

Designated Player

Sydnee Thomas, fr., Vale