They say the third time’s a charm. Unfortunately it doesn’t say who for. The BHS softball team rolled into the 2025 3A playoffs with the No. 11 seed and a first round bye. The Hilanders matched up with Vale for a second round game in the playoffs and for the third time this season.

The two previous match-ups, the Hilanders fell to the Vikings 11-0 and 5-3. Last Wednesday’s game proved no different as the Vikings came out on top in five innings, 10-0.

Head coach Robert Medley said, “Our coaching staff is extremely proud of our team and how the girls progressed through the season. It’s exciting to see how the young players bought in and continued to get better through the guidance and leadership of our seniors.”

Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Vikings managed to score five runs with help from Teagan Stokes and Braelyn Keller, how both hit home runs to open up the game. Vale scored three more in the fifth to close out the game.

At the plate, the Hilanders managed only four hits with senior Gracie Mello going a perfect 2 for 2. Senior Skyla Samples finished her final day going 1 for 2, and Jocelyn Graham went 1 for 3 at the plate.

Burns struggled from the pitching circle against a well-coached Viking team. Natalee Otley-Smith received the loss on the day, throwing three and a third innings, while giving up six hits, four walks and striking out six batters. Dalley Sykes relieved the last two-thirds inning of the last inning, and gave up four hits, two walks while striking out one batter.

Coach Medley went on to say, “It’s great to be part of a program that wants to constantly get better and play the game the right way. Unfortunately it just didn’t work out for us today. We will miss our seniors, but are excited for the years ahead with our current players and the youth in the community coming up.”

Burns graduates three seniors from this year’s team, Ashlyn Fulton, Gracie Mello, and Skyla Samples, who finished the season 18-7 and second in Eastern Oregon League.

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2025 EOL Softball All-League

First Team

Gracie Mello, Sr., Catcher

Cara Goss-Bodily, Jr., Infield

Bailey Temple, So., Infield

Jocelyn Graham, Jr., Outfield

Skyla Samples, Sr., Outfield

Second Team

Natalee Otley-Smith, So., Pitcher

Honorable Mention

Shelby Peasley, So., Outfield

Dally Sykes, Fr., Utility