Storm Falls Short in Power-Packed Doubleheader Against SWOCC

SALEM, Ore. — It was a day of high-velocity offense and towering home runs at Belmodis Field on Friday, but the Chemeketa Storm couldn't quite find the final push needed to overcome the Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) Lakers. Despite a relentless power display from the middle of the order, Chemeketa dropped both ends of the doubleheader, falling 8-5 and 9-7.

Game 1: Late Surge Not Enough to Erase Early Deficit

The opener saw the Lakers jump out to a commanding 5-0 lead in the first inning, putting the Storm on their heels immediately. However, Chemeketa's defense settled in behind Addison Bennett, and the bats slowly began to wake up.

Layni Noonkester provided the first spark of the day, crushing a solo home run in the second inning to get the Storm on the board. The game turned into a defensive grind until the sixth, when SWOCC added three insurance runs to extend their lead to 8-1.

Refusing to go quietly, the Storm mounted a furious rally in the bottom of the seventh. Laney Deloe laced an RBI single to score Noonkester, followed by a mammoth three-run home run from Hadlee Nicholson. The blast cut the deficit to three and brought the dugout to its feet, but the comeback bid ultimately ran out of outs.

Game 2: A Back-and-Forth Battle Ends in Heartbreak

The nightcap featured even more drama, with lead changes and big innings defining the contest. Chemeketa looked poised to even the series early on. After a 1-1 tie in the first, the Storm exploded for five runs in the second inning. Zoe Moore drove in a run with a sharp single, setting the stage for Layni Noonkester, who connected for her second home run of the day—a three-run shot that gave Chemeketa a 6-1 lead.

The Lakers chipped away, scoring three in the third and one in the fourth to pull within a run. Chemeketa maintained a narrow 7-5 lead heading into the sixth, thanks to a sacrifice fly by Noonkester. However, the game turned on one swing in the top of the sixth: a four-run home run by SWOCC's Hadley Hudson that vaulted the Lakers ahead 9-7.

The Storm put runners on in the final frames, with Melinda Herrejon reaching base twice via walks to keep hope alive, but the SWOCC bullpen held firm to secure the sweep.

Highlighted Performers

Despite the losses, several Storm players turned in elite statistical performances:

• Layni Noonkester: The standout of the day, Noonkester went deep in both games, finishing with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs while showing great plate discipline.

• Hadlee Nicholson: Nicholson was a run-producing machine, recording a 3-run HR in the first game and an RBI double in the second.

• Zoe Moore: Anchored the middle of the lineup in Game 2, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

• Kylie Caraphina: The spark plug at the top of the order, Caraphina scored 3 runs across the doubleheader and swiped a base.

Conclusion

While the outcome wasn't what the Storm hoped for, the doubleheader proved that Chemeketa can match power with any team in the conference. The ability to score 12 runs against a strong Lakers pitching staff is a testament to the team's offensive depth. As the Storm look ahead, cleaning up the defensive miscues and limiting the Lakers' big innings will be the focus as they prepare for their next conference tilt.

Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio     Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio