The Phoenix softball team got back on track Saturday. After a 10-inning loss on Wednesday in Klamath Falls, the Pirates rolled past visiting Klamath Union 5-1 and 16-1 in a Skyline Conference doubleheader at Colver Fields. The wins improved PHS to 3-6 in the Skyline and 10-10 overall. Phoenix has a bye in Skyline play this week before closing the regular season with a three-game series against Hidden Valley next week. Freshman Keelie Woodside pitched a pair of complete games against the Pelicans. The wins left Phoenix ranked 21st in the state at the 4A level, keeping the Pirates in line for a play-in round game later this month. Woodside allowed only five hits in the opener while striking out five. She scattered four hits in the nightcap with three strikeouts. Jayden Vos doubled among her two hits while Addison Brite doubled and Morgan James tripled. Phoenix has six stolen bases in the game. Destiny Christlieb, also a freshman, hit a towering home run to highlight the offensive surge in the second game, which was stopped by the 10-run rule. She also tripled in the win. Phoenix finished with 11 hits in the game, including two from Brite, Vos, James and Christlieb. Riley Johnson stole two of the Pirates' seven stolen bases in the game.

There were plenty of "ups" for the Phoenix softball team during its 2023 pre-season. The Pirates, who enter Skyline Conference play ranked 13th in the state, posted a 7-4 mark through the first part of the season. The highlight was a four-game sweep of a round-robin event in Newport over spring break as Phoenix grabbed all of its wins over fellow 4A schools. Both offense and defense have been eventful for Phoenix. The Pirates generated 122 pre-season runs. A deep pitching staff surrendered 80 as four different players worked on the mound. Freshman Destiny Christlieb leads the pitching staff while juniors Jayden Vos and Kendall Haywood have also worked as well as freshman Keelie Woodside. Vos anchors the infield at shortstop and is joined by returners starters (both seniors) Paityn Croy at third base and Morgan James at second. Chrislieb plays first base when not on the mound, as does Heywood, who also works at shorstop. Junior Addie Bright returns at catcher, bringing solid defense and a reliable bat. Woodside, junior Violet Harper and sophomores Carsyn Gallegos and Sylvia Platt are all logging time in the in the outfield. The Pirates open Skyline Conference play with a three-game series against defense champion Henley. Interview with Coach Kevin Scoggins