Rod Serling would be enthralled by connections in the McNary-Tigard semifinal softball game
Coincidences, strange connections are evident in this matchup
A good broadcaster endeavors to do research into any contest they plan to cover. I try to be no different, and sometimes seem to find odd associations between teams, players, and programs—even from outside the actual matchup itself.
The research into the OSAA 6A Softball semi-final matchup between the McNary Celtics and Tigard Tigers feels a bit like an episode of the classic TV show, The Twilight Zone.
OK, maybe not quite that odd, but there are some connections that are interesting, to say the least.
McNary oddities
Item one: Coaching history. Current Celtics coach Kelly Parsell (formerly Burdick) played at South Salem High School, winning this 2014 state title under veteran coach Scott McCormick. In 1990 and 1991, McNary made its only softball championship appearances, resulting first in a co-championship with Milwaukie after heavy rains shutdown the title game with a 1-1 in the seventh; and in 1991, the Celtics title hopes were dashed in a shutout loss to Churchill. The McNary coach for those two seasons: why, Scott McCormick, of course.
Item two: This weekend, the Oregon State Beavers clinched just their second-ever Softball World Series bid after beating Stanford in two games at Palo Alto. In the deciding game, the Beavers scored two runs in the first inning, and held on to win 2-0. OSU held off several major Cardinal rallies. The connection? McNary hasn’t been to the state semifinals in, well, forever. In their quarterfinal victory over Sheldon on Friday, the Celts scored two runs in the first inning, then held off several serious rallies from the Irish to win the game by the score of… 2-0.
Tigard oddities
Items one and two: Tigard left hander Makenna Reid has been mowing down opponents left and right for the four seasons, and has reached the 400 strikeout milestone in her prep career. She is a promising major college prospect, and her plans are to play next year at Florida State University. In 2018, Florida State team made its way through the consolation bracket of the College Softball World Series, and won its first ever championship after beating the University of Washington in two games. Who played for the 2018 Huskies? Why, none other than McNary head coach Kelly (Burdick) Parsell.
I clearly hear the rising crescendo of the creepy Twilight Zone. Some of you might just dismiss it as a (to use the vernacular) coinkydink. And you may well be right.
Odd connections are still fascinating. I don’t see them having any bearing on the outcome of Tuesday’s playoff game at Tigard High School, but it will give me some items to verbally chew on between batters.
Enjoy the game, everyone.
I got to umpire that tie game with McNary and Milwaukee at Wallace Marine Park in Salem. Dave White was on the plate and I had 1st base. It poured in the 7th inning.