Liberty senior Chandie Perez hit a double and had two RBIs in her team's win over La Salle last week. (Andrew Nemec\/Staff) <\/p>\n
During a lengthy postgame meeting in the outfield at Hillsboro last week, Liberty softball coach Nolan Meeuwsen did his best to find the right motivational words. <\/p>\n
The Falcons, who had just lost 7-6 to rival Hillsboro for their fifth defeat in a row, are a perennial playoff team not accustomed to losing streaks. <\/p>\n
What were contending with because of our inconsistency is a confidence issue, said Meeuwsen, whose team has reached the OSAA Class 5A softball quarterfinals for the past five seasons. But one of the players actually said it best: If we find heart, then that leads to confidence and Im not sure what comes after confidence, but I know its a pretty good place. <\/p>\n
A day after that message was delivered, Liberty beat La Salle 5-4 to snap that five-game losing streak and potentially start a winning streak. <\/p>\n
We have the talent, Meeuwsen said. We have quality seniors and quality leaders. Weve just got to start doing things on a consistent basis. <\/p>\n
The Northwest Oregon Conference victory over La Salle on April 8 was a better example of the type of team that Meeuwsen believes he has this spring. <\/p>\n
Sophomore Riley Driscoll went 2 for 3 and senior Chandie Perez hit a double and had two RBIs to lead Liberty to the much-needed victory. Sophomore Maija Sands also had a hit, a walk and scored a run for Liberty (5-6, 1-1 NWOC). <\/p>\n
La Salle took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning, but Liberty answered with a four-run bottom of the third. Liberty then extended its lead to 5-2 in the fifth and held La Salle to two runs in the sixth inning to hold on for the one-run victory in the matchup of the NWOCs two Falcons. <\/p>\n
Freshman Emily Cundall earned the victory in the circle for Liberty, which is playing this season without star senior Kelly Meeuwsen because of a shoulder injury that required reconstructive surgery. <\/p>\n
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Liberty beats La Salle to snap losing streak, increase confidence: Softball<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Liberty senior Chandie Perez hit a double and had two RBIs in her team's win over La Salle last week. (Andrew Nemec\/Staff) During a lengthy postgame meeting in the outfield at Hillsboro last week, Liberty softball coach Nolan Meeuwsen did his best to find the right motivational words. Continue reading