By Clint Kamstra
Silverton High School varsity softball coach Ralph Cortez does not consider his team’s second place finish at 5A state tournament to Pendleton High School a defeat.
“This is not a loss,” Cortez said. “It’s a win. We’re in a win-win situation here, we lost the ball game but by all means, we all came out on top. This is where we wanted to be, we set our goal, didn’t look good at the beginning of the season but we got here and by that I mean it’s a win-win situation getting here, there’s only
two teams left so we’re pretty proud of our selves for getting here.”
On June 2, Silverton played Pendleton for the 5A State Championship. Pendleton won 6-1.
Cortez described his team as “good-hearted with a lot of competitive drive.”
“I tell you what, these kids are going a long ways in everything they do, not just in this game but in everything,” Cortez said. “We teach more than just softball. We teach the whole aspect of life and what there is out there. We’re pretty proud of our kids. We like where we’re at and it was a dream season for us.”
Cortez is grateful for the leadership provided by the six seniors on the team, Katie Mannion, Jordan Martin, Taylor Medley, Haley Hibbs, Lily Ann Hall and Shelby McIntire. 
With a host of young players, Cortez is eager for next season.
“When I took over the program, like I said, they could only win two games a year,” Cortez said. “Now look at us. We’re at the top of the food chain and we’re having fun.”
