The last two seasons, Forest Grove's softball team came within an eyelash of winning a share of its first conference title since 2006.
But late-season, one-run losses – in extra innings to Sherwood in 2024 and at Glencoe in 2025 – left the Vikings empty-handed in the tough 6A Pacific Conference.
“We were hungry for it coming into this year,” coach Jeremy Ingram said.
With two regular-season games remaining, Forest Grove once again is on the doorstep of a conference title. The Vikings (20-3, 8-1), No. 3 in the OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll, are tied for first place with top-ranked and reigning state champion Sherwood (20-3, 8-1). The teams split their two meetings this season.
Forest Grove, coming off second-round playoff exits the last two seasons, has reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2013. The Vikings, who won their only state title in 2007, are looking to make some noise in the postseason.
“We've had a great year so far,” Ingram said. “I wouldn't say I expected us to be this good, but I kind of had an idea we were going to be pretty tough again.”
Forest Grove built around a strong nucleus of junior pitcher Kherington Wright and senior first baseman Cali Davis, 6A first-team picks last season, and junior catcher Kenley Wright, an honorable mention selection.
Two newcomers – freshman shortstop Grace Arruda and sophomore third baseman Brooklyn Lamb, a transfer from 3A Banks – helped the Vikings fill holes in their lineup. The addition of Lamb allowed junior Gracee Evans to move from third base to a more natural position in center field.
The offense was a bit inconsistent early, contributing to 4-0 and 6-2 nonleague losses to Lakeridge and No. 7 McNary, respectively. But the bats have produced as the Vikings have won 14 of their last 15 games.
“We were trying to figure out our lineup,” Ingram said. “The last few weeks, the offense is starting to come around for us.”
A key adjustment was moving Arruda from near the bottom of the order into the No. 5 spot. Opponents have been pitching around Davis, who has a team-high 14 walks in the No. 3 spot, but with Kenley Wright, Arruda and Lamb batting behind her, the Vikings are making teams pay.
“When they're walking Cali now, we're able to drive her in,” Ingram said. “Early in the year, that wasn't quite happening. That's been a huge thing for us.”
Davis, who has committed to Central Oklahoma, is leading the team in batting (.507), home runs (10), RBIs (36) and runs (40). Evans (.315) and senior Alise Morency (.329, 14 RBIs) set the table for Davis at the top of the order. Kenley Wright (.400, 26 RBIs), Arruda (.371, three triples, two home runs, 24 RBIs) and Lamb (.378) are coming through behind Davis.
Kherington Wright has been a force in the circle. In 110 innings, she has allowed 48 hits, struck out 175, walked 35 and has an ERA of 1.34. In Monday's 3-0 win at Mt. Hood Conference-leading Barlow, she tossed a one-hitter with 17 strikeouts and two walks.
“Her command is a little better this year,” Ingram said. “When we first got her as a freshman, her command wasn't quite there. Last year it started to come around, but this year, I feel like there are two or three pitches we can throw for a strike at any time, and not have to go to a fastball.”
Forest Grove defeated Sherwood 4-2 in the first round of conference play as Arruda had a double, triple and four RBIs and Wright pitched a four-hitter. The Vikings fell at Sherwood 8-1 on May 5, however, as four errors led to five unearned runs.
“We made a couple mental mistakes and let it get away from us in a pretty hostile place out there at Sherwood,” Ingram said. “Especially after we got them at our place a couple weeks before that, we knew going into that Sherwood game, it was going to be really, really tough.”
In nonleague games, the Vikings have beaten 5A No. 7 La Salle Prep 10-0, 6A No. 6 Mountainside 4-1 and 6A No. 9 Jesuit 5-4. Their Pacific resume includes a 6-3 victory at No. 5 Glencoe, a team they will face again at home in the conference finale May 19.
Notes: No. 2 West Linn came from behind for back-to-back, walk-off wins in its last two 6A Three Rivers League games, beating Oregon City 5-4 in 10 innings Friday and Tualatin 3-2 on Monday. Against Oregon City, the Lions got a two-out RBI single from senior Kendall Atwood in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, and won it in the 10th on a solo homer by senior Piper Ruthrauff. Against Tualatin, West Linn scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to win. Senior Vivienne McGraw tied it with an RBI single and Ruthrauff drove in the winning run when she got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and one out. The Lions are 20-2 overall, 12-0 in league. …
No. 7 McNary avenged a loss to No. 4 West Salem from the first-round of 6A Central Valley Conference play by defeating the Titans 9-5 at home Monday. The Celtics scored three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to lead 9-3. Seniors Natalie Macik (three RBIs) and Josalyn Netzel (two RBIs) each hit home runs and senior Ashlyn Wittnebel went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. In conference games, McNary is 7-1 and West Salem is 5-2. … No. 8 Canby stayed unbeaten in the 5A Northwest Oregon Conference by outlasting No. 7 La Salle Prep 3-2 at home Tuesday. Sophomore Katelyn Vissers drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning with an RBI single. Senior Abi Troutman had the other two RBIs and freshman Presley Ricksger tossed a three-hitter for the Cougars, who at 11-0 in conference lead Wilsonville (10-1) and La Salle Prep (9-2). …
No. 2 Dallas won 6-4 at No. 4 West Albany in a key 5A Mid-Willamette Conference game Friday. Junior Kadence Tullock went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI and junior Maddi Jones earned the win in the circle for the Dragons, who are 11-0 in conference games. West Albany is in second place at 9-3. … No. 1 Scappoose went on the road for a pivotal 4-2, 10-inning win at No. 3 Astoria in a battle for 4A Cowapa League powers Tuesday. The Indians scored twice in the 10th on an RBI single by sophomore Elly Casey and an error. Junior Kayla Brainerd went 3 for 5 with two RBIs and senior Saige Casey went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI for the Indians. Saige Casey pitched a five-hitter with 10 strikeouts to outduel Astoria junior Taryen Wray, who allowed nine hits and fanned 11. Scappoose (8-2 in league) plays host to Astoria (7-2) on Thursday. …
Henley took over first place in the 4A Skyline Conference on Tuesday with a 13-3 win at No. 10 Hidden Valley. Sophomore Makayla Schroeder went 3 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs and junior Vanessa Calzacorta had a double and two RBIs. … Illinois Valley survived a wild rally to end Lost River's 10-game winning streak Tuesday, turning back the Raiders 20-19 at home in a 2A/1A Special District 6 game. The Raiders scored nine runs in the top of the seventh inning – including four with two outs – to tie 19-19, but Illinois Valley scored the game-winner in the bottom of the inning on a passed ball. … Weston-McEwen, No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 2A/1A coaches poll, is on a three-game losing streak. The TigerScots fell to DeSales (Wash.) 7-1, then dropped home games to 4A teams La Grande and Pendleton by 16-5 scores. On Tuesday, Pendleton rapped 12 hits and drew 14 walks to roll behind junior Kelsi Primus (3 for 4, four RBIs) and senior Avery Quaempts (2 for 2, five RBIs).
jerryu@osaa.org
Subscribe
