Storm Bats Explode in Gresham; Chemeketa Battles Through Offensive Firefight at Mt. Hood
Fighting the Giants: Storm’s 15-Hit Attack Keeps Saints on the Brink
GRESHAM, Ore. — In a high-octane doubleheader that featured a combined 10 home runs and 42 hits, the Chemeketa Storm went toe-to-toe with one of the NWAC's most potent offenses on Saturday. While the Storm dropped both contests to the Mt. Hood Saints (11-4 and 18-9), the afternoon was a showcase of Chemeketa's own lethal power, spearheaded by a historic power display from Layni Noonkester and Meagan Trissell.
Despite the final scores, the Storm's ability to mount massive rallies against the Saints' top-tier pitching sends a clear message as the team prepares for the postseason push.
Game 1: Noonkester's Blast Sparks Mid-Game Surge
Final: Mt. Hood 11, Chemeketa 4
The opener began as a defensive struggle for the Storm, as Mt. Hood manufactured a 6-0 lead through the first four frames. However, the Storm offense found its rhythm in the fifth. Kylie Carapinha ignited the spark with a perfectly placed bunt single to score Grace Walls, putting Chemeketa on the board.
Moments later, Layni Noonkester turned the game on its head, launching a three-run home run to left field. The four-run outburst cut the deficit to 6-4 and put the Saints on their heels. While Mt. Hood responded with a five-run rally of their own to reclaim control, the Storm's 9-hit performance—led by Meagan Trissell's perfect 3-for-3 afternoon—proved they could find gaps against Saints' ace Gracie Huston.
Game 2: A Home Run Derby in the West
Final: Mt. Hood 18, Chemeketa 9 (6 Innings)
The nightcap transformed into an absolute slugfest. Chemeketa wasted no time, as Noonkester picked up exactly where she left off, crushing a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Storm an early lead.
After the Saints surged ahead 11-3, the Storm responded with one of their most impressive half-innings of the season. In the top of the fourth, Chemeketa plated six runs to pull within two. The exclamation point was provided by Meagan Trissell, who hammered a grand slam that silenced the Gresham crowd and brought the score to 11-9.
The Storm racked up 15 hits in the finale, with Trissell, Noonkester, and Ava Woods combine for 8 hits and 7 RBIs. However, Mt. Hood's Sadie Guyette delivered a record-breaking performance with three home runs and 9 RBIs, eventually allowing the Saints to pull away.
Weekend Power Stats
| Athlete | Performance | Impact |
| Layni Noonkester | 2 HR, 5 RBI | Continued her torrid pace as the Storm's primary power threat. |
| Meagan Trissell | 6-for-8, Grand Slam, 4 RBI | A nearly flawless day at the plate, providing the weekend's biggest swing. |
| Ava Woods | 3 Hits, 2 R, RBI | Consistently set the table at the top of the lineup. |
| Jazmin Gallegos | 2 Hits, 1 R | Provided crucial depth and energy in the Game 2 rally. |
Coach's Perspective
"You have to respect the fight in this dugout," the coaching staff said following the doubleheader. "Putting up 9 runs and 15 hits against a team like Mt. Hood is no small feat. Our bats are hot at the right time. We need to clean up the defensive side and the extra opportunities we gave them, but if we hit like this, we are a dangerous team for anyone to face in the tournament."
Up Next
The Storm return to Salem to refine their defensive execution before their next conference showdown. With the offense clicking on all cylinders, Chemeketa remains a dark horse in the NWAC South as the regional playoffs loom.
Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio
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