Page 22 - Southern Oregon Magazine Summer 2019

CONGRATULATIONS
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SOU

Softball Raiders win World Series
outhern Oregon University’s Softball
SRaiders have every right to be proud, as
does the school and all of Southern Oregon.
The Raiders walked away victorious in the
winner-take-all finale of the NAIA World
Series, fighting off powerhouse Oklahoma
City to capture the program’s first title.

The team worked hard, kept their spirits up,
knew what they wanted and believed they
could achieve it. And they did! The Raiders
finished at 52-8, setting a school record for
wins for the third consecutive season under
Jessica Pistole, their fifth-year head coach.
Pistole inherited a team that went 15-23 in
2014. From there, she has taken the Raiders
to three consecutive World Series. They had
never appeared in one previously. This year
they not only went, but won.

Rain fell and lightning struck during the final game, but weather could not dampen the teams’ enthusiasm. They were as joyous during the delay
as they were on the field. When Oklahoma City got its final out, the Raiders didn’t just cheer for their key players, but celebrated each other—
something they always do.

Since the World Series started in 1981, this is just the second World Series title for the Cascade Conference. The Raiders have every right to be
proud—of themselves, of the region.

Photo: www.news.sou.edu

DYLAN PEARCE DRAFTED BY ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

OSU Pitcher Realizes a Dream Come True
aseball has been big in Dylan Pearce’s life, and he wanted a
Bbreak. He recently got one when the St. Louis Cardinals
selected the Oregon State right-handed pitcher on day three, 31st
round, of the Major League Baseball draft. Even though he wanted
the chance, when it came it left him a bit shocked. “It means abso-
lutely everything to me,” he said.

Pearce started college at Southwestern Oregon Community
College, where he earned first and second team honors. He then
transferred to OSU for his final two years of eligibility. He proved
a reliable pitcher, helping the Beavers win the 2018 College World
Series vs. Arkansas. For Dylan Pearce, college is behind him and
the major leagues ahead. He looks forward to this new and exciting
adventure, still a bit surprised when he thinks about it.
Photo: @BeaverBaseball

20 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2019