Oregon Tech softball, led by former Mills star Aubrie Businger, off to a 10-0 start

Since her arrival in Klamath Falls, Businger has found a new home at the hot corner. A longtime shortstop going back to her high school days at Mills, Businger has transitioned third base.

“I love it,” Businger said. “You never know when you’re going to get the ball hit right at you, or if this girl is going to lay a bunt down. I think the unknown of playing third base is what I really like about it.”

That isn’t all that has changed for Businger. She was recruited to Oregon Tech out of CSM along with catcher Mackenzie Driscoll (Hillsdale), and the two joined two-way standout Emily McAdams (Sequoia), also out of CSM. This year, though, the Lady Bulldog alumnae broke up the band when McAdams transferred to the NCAA Division II level at Humboldt State.

One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is Businger’s sweet, level right-handed swing that made her a high school star at Mills. After hitting for a career .424 batting average through four years of varsity ball, she went on to hit .387 through two years at CSM.

“She’s a kid that naturally sprays the ball to all fields,” Oregon Tech head coach Greg Stewart said. “And when she hits it, the ball just jumps off her bat.”

The scary part is Businger and Stewart concur that Businger still hasn’t found her groove at the plate. A little rust from the nearly yearlong layoff? Perhaps. But it hasn’t stopped her from settling in the heart of the batting order as the Owls’ No. 5 hitter.

“I feel like I’m just picking it up,” Businger said. “Going into this weekend, it’s just a matter of taking swings and being successful. It’s just a matter of getting those at-bats.”

Stewart was keen to turn Businger into a run producer. At CSM, she typically hit at the top of the battling order.

“I think now, just 10 games into it, she’s identified what is going to make her better,” Stewart said. “And it won’t be long before she just locks in.”

Oregon Tech is stacked 1 through 9 though. Despite hitting a glowing .367, Businger ranks just sixth among Owls starters in batting average. McKenna Armantrout leads the Cascade Collegiate Conference with a .526 mark, with Olvia Lethlean close behind at .524.

“One through 9, there’s not an easy out in the bunch,” Stewart said.

Perfect Quirke

Some 65 miles west of Oregon Tech, another group of CSM transfers is making headway at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.

Allie Stines (Capuchino) is the Hawks’ leading hitter at .479, with Lauren Quirke (Hillsdale) right behind at .465. Junior catcher Riley Donovan is knocking it around as well, hitting at a .366 mark.

But Quirke and Donovan teamed for a historic feat on the other side of the ball Feb. 26 at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, with Quirke stepping into the circle to fire a regulation perfect game in Southern Oregon’s 1-0 victory.

Quirke struck out eight while needing just 76 pitches to keep George Fox off the basepaths all day long and earned Cascade Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week honors for her effort. Donovan caught the gem and had two hits in the game. Stines did contribute the best batting line, though, going 3 for 4 out of the leadoff spot for the 11-1 Hawks.