Ridgeview softball stays perfect, moves to 22-0 and clinches IMC title with 11-1 win over Bend
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Ridgeview softball continued its dominant season Tuesday night, improving to 22-0 and clinching the IMC league title with a commanding 11-1 win over Bend High on Senior Night.
Ace pitcher Brezlyn Hagemeister set the tone early, striking out three in the first inning and driving in the game’s first run with an RBI double. Brooklyn Lick followed up with a two-run homer to give the Ravens a quick 3-0 lead.
Lick and Hagemeister continued to lead the charge, both offensively and defensively, with Lick flashing the glove on a backhand play at short and adding another RBI at the plate. Despite a solo home run from Bend freshman Janelle Guiney, the Ravens stayed in control, building a 7-1 lead by the third inning.
Bend loaded the bases in the third but couldn’t capitalize, as Hagemeister struck out two to escape the jam. Ridgeview added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth, including a two-run double by Hailey Nelson and a walk-off hit from Josie Hopper to ten-run the Lava Bears.
With the win, Ridgeview remains unbeaten at 22-0 and locks up the top spot in the IMC heading into the postseason.
Head coach Sandy Fischer praised the group’s tight bond and relentless work ethic as key ingredients to their success: “You know, a lot of it’s chemistry. A lot of it’s hard work,” Fischer said. “They really like each other, and they work hard for each other, and they pick each other up. So it's a unique group, and they're fun to coach.”
For senior Brooklyn Lick, the victory was especially meaningful. After years of dreaming about seeing a league championship banner with her team’s name on it, the moment finally arrived.
“I mean, it's been everything,” Lick said. “I've been wanting to get one of those banners, one of our titles up since I started my freshman year. And so to be able to do this, especially my senior year, with all these girls that I've been playing with these four years - it's been everything to me.”
Star pitcher Brezlyn Hagemeister, who continued to shine both in the circle and at the plate, reflected on the significance of the team’s undefeated run.
“It's just amazing. It's almost unreal when you think about it, being 22-0,” Hagemeister said. “It doesn't happen. You've never seen it happen before. And it just feels so nice, because all the hard work we put into this has paid off. It just feels so nice that we'll be getting that banner and just keep grinding and pushing every day.”
With their league title secured, Ridgeview now turns its focus toward the postseason, where they’ll look to carry their perfect record into the playoffs.
