Fastpitch: Selah stays in trophy hunt

Ellensburg ousted in two games ||

SELAH, Wash. — Natalie Fickes and her Selah teammates have their sights set on making a little bit of school history.

“We’ve had a goal of making it to the state tournament and playing on the last Saturday,” said Fickes, who had a 7-for-10 day at the plate in helping the Vikings win two of their three games. “Now we’re trying to go for a trophy.”

That’s something no Viking fastpitch team has ever done.

Woodland junior Emily Holt, meanwhile, spent two hours on Friday doing something no CWAC team has done in more than two seasons.

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She extinguished Ellensburg’s fiery offense.

Holt, who has already verbally committed to pitch at the University of Nebraska after finishing her career at Woodland, opened the day with a 15-strikeout, one-hit shutout of the Bulldogs, who had riddled CWAC pitching for nearly a cumulative .500 batting average this year. Holt also crushed a solo home run in the Beavers’ 7-0 romp, which started the Bulldogs — state runners-up last season — on the way to a surprising two-and-out day.

“Our girls had no idea who she was, even though we beat her last year (2-0 in the 2009 semifinals) ” Ellensburg coach Dave Kopczynski said. “I told them she’d verballed to Nebraska, and I think they feel better about themselves now after that. They know they faced a legitimate Division I pitcher.

“Emily’s the real deal, without a doubt.”

“All of the girls were really pumped up today,” said Holt, who had total command of her six pitches — fastball, changeup, screwball, drop ball, curve and riser — and allowed only Ellie Layman’s third-inning single. “I guess you could say it was revenge, but we want this. We want to win.”

Holt went on to hurl a six-hitter in a 12-2 quarterfinal victory over Blaine, moving Woodland (14-8) into today’s semifinals against Hoquiam (15-6), which routed Granite Falls 13-3 and then held off Othello’s comeback kids 5-4.

The other semifinal will pit Chehalis (21-3), led by pitcher Hayley Graham, against Colville (20-1), which reached the semis in dramatic fashion, rallying for five runs in the bottom of the seventh on four singles, capped by Jo Rogers’ two-out, two-run game-winner in a 6-5 victory over Sehome.

With Ellensburg (20-4) and Othello (20-6) both out of the tournament — the Huskies losing two straight after rallying from 5-1 and 10-6 deficits in its 13-10 first-round victory over Steilacoom — Selah (20-6) becomes the lone CWAC team left. But the Vikings have another goal left to achieve.

Until Friday, only Selah fastpitch team had reached the final Saturday of the season. That 2002 team didn’t come away with a trophy, and the current Vikings could earn one today if they can keep hitting like they did Friday.

After falling 8-4 to Anacortes, Selah eked out a 5-2 victory over Pullman behind junior Sierra Weedin’s gutty 61?3-inning, six-hit pitching performance, then routed Blaine 11-2. But the story in that one wasn’t ace Monica Stout’s complete-game effort, but rather the Vikings’ 20-hit attack, with a dozen different players getting at least one hit.

“Our hitting coach, Ben Graf, has done an awesome job this year,” Vikings head coach Bill Harris said. “And Natalie” — who was 3-for-4 in the game, after going 3-for-4 against Pullman — “when Natalie gets hot, she’s a great hitter. And she doesn’t just hit the ball, she hits it hard.”

Class 2A fastpitch photo gallery

Photos from Friday’s Class 2A fastpitch state tournament at Carlon Park in Selah, Wash. All photos by Gordon King of the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Fastpitch: Local teams rally after slow start

YAKIMA, Wash. — Slow starts but strong finishes.

First-round frustrations gave way to consolation redemption for three of four area teams in the Class 2B and 1B state fastpitch tournaments Friday at Gateway Complex.

La Salle in 2B, and Sunnyside Christian and Thorp-Easton in 1B all suffered opening-round losses, but bounced back with victories to keep their trophy hopes alive.

Only Kittitas, which came into the 2B tournament undefeated, couldn’t rebound, suffering a second straight heartbreaking loss to end its season.

In the winner’s brackets, one championship game rematch was set and the other remained a possibility.

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Colton and Touchet both cruised through two games and will meet for the 1B title this afternoon. Colton, which scored 18 runs in both its victories — riding a 12-run inning in each — beat Touchet 13-1 to win the 2009 title.

In 2B, meanwhile, defending champion Adna rolled through two games and into today’s semifinals, as did ’09 runner-up Pe Ell. In the semifinals, Adna will face Napavine with Pe Ell meeting Colfax.

Both championship games are at 4 p.m. at Gateway Complex.

CLASS 2B: After failing to hold a lead in an 11-8, eight-inning loss to Mary Walker, the Lightning (15-7) managed to secure a 4-3 win against Rainier Christian.

“In the first game, we had a lead and lost it, and we talked about learning from that,” La Salle coach Sara Adams said. “They went out (against Rainier Christian) and executed. I’m proud of them. The girls showed heart.”

La Salle built a 4-0 lead after two innings and then hung on as Rainier Christian scored twice in the seventh before Tori Gonzalez struck out the final two batters.

La Salle will face Davenport at 10 a.m. in a loser-out game. The Lightning would need to win three games to reach the third- and fourth-place game at 4 p.m.

Kittitas (22-2) had a chance to advance, but couldn’t finish off its consolation opponent, failing to hold a 6-3 lead in the seventh against Seattle Lutheran, losing 7-6 when Katherine Smith capped the four-run rally with a two-run double.

The Coyotes lost their opener to DeSales 7-6 in 11 innings.

“That’s a bad day — and a good day,” Kittitas coach Nate Phillips. “We played really well and had a shot to win both games. Unfortunately, we lost both in heartbreaking fashion.

“It’s been a really good year and this was a really good group of kids.”

Adna’s Jessika-Jo Sandrini had the game of the day, pitching a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts — including the first 10 batters she faced — in a 9-0 quarterfinal win over Davenport.

Pe Ell’s Amanda Woods threw a two-hitter with 12 strikeouts in a 13-0 quarterfinal win over Mary Walker.

CLASS 1B: Both Sunnyside Christian and Thorp-Easton rebounded in a big way after opening losses.

Thorp-Easton quickly erased memories of its quarterfinal loss with a six-run first inning against Highland Christian, and Kelsey Hutchinson struck out 12, sparking a 10-3 victory.

“We’ve had to deal with a lot of adversity all season, so the girls know what it takes to come back,” Thorp-Easton coach A.J. Smith said, referring to his team’s 6-3 quarterfinal loss to Touchet after the Wildcats grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth.

Thorp-Easton (12-6) faces Almira-Coulee-Hartline today at 2 p.m., with the winner advancing to the third- and fourth-place game at 4.

Sunnyside Christian clobbered Lake Quinault 18-0 after falling 12-3 to Almira-Coulee-Hartline in the quarterfinals.

The Knights (16-7) will face Cusick today at 2 p.m.

Class 2B fastpitch photo gallery

Photos from Friday’s action at the Class 2B-1B fastpitch state tournament at Kiwanis Park in Yakima, Wash. All photos by Gordon King of the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Fastpitch: Cle Elum shocks Montesano

PASCO, Wash. — The Class 1A state fastpitch tournament was shut down because of rain Friday afternoon, but not before Cle Elum could pull off a stunner.

The Warriors knocked off two-time defending state champion Montesano 2-1 in the first round at the TRAC facility.

Cle Elum will play Lakeside in a quartefinal at 9 a.m. today.

No other details from Friday game were available.

Fastpitch linescores

Class 2A

FIRST ROUND

Hoquiam 13, Granite Falls 3

Granite Falls        200    001    —    3    6    1
Hoquiam               051    205    —    13    13    3

Spurgeon and Gilmore; Arndt and Spencer.

Highlights: Kaitlynn Gwinn (H) 2-3, 2 runs; Jordan Cummings (H) 2-4, 3b.

Othello 7, Steilacoom 0

Othello           100    041    7    —    13    14    0
Steilacoom    003    205    0    —    10    12    1

Rodriguez, Garza (4), Rodriguez (7) and Martinez; Kassuhn and Carmichael.

Highlights: Ashley Carmichael (S) 4-5, 2 RBI; Denea Sallis (S) 1-4, HR, 2 RBI; Kylee Mollotte (O) 4-4, 2b, HR, RBI; Daisy Salgado (O) 1-3, HR, 2 RBI; Alyssa Martinez (O) 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Brenda Rodriguez (O) 1-3, HR, 3 RBI; Eden Garza (O) 1-4, HR, 3 RBI.

Blaine 5, Cheney 4

Cheney    200    000    2    —    4    13    4
Blaine       140    000    x    —    5    7    1

Lane and Ford; Dudley and Sellers.

Highlights: Nora Ifft (C) 3-4, 2b; Sierra Vijarro (C) 2-4; Amanda Moore (B) 4-4.

Woodland 7, Ellensburg 0

Woodland     201    020    2    —    7    6    0
Ellensburg    000    000    0    —    0    1    4

Holt and Tesdale; Harris, Porter (6) and Me. Swanson.

Highlights: Holt (W) 7 IP, 15 K, HR; Kelsey Haynes (W) 2-3, HR, 2 RBI.

Anacortes 8, Selah 4

Selah            200    002    0    —    4    8    3
Anacortes    112    220    x    —    8    10    1

Stout and Slobig; Saunders and Roney.

Highlights: Courtney Cable (S) 3-4, 2b; Ashley Wilkey (S) 2-4; Natalie Fickes (S) 1-2, 2b, 2 RBI; Baylee Bunyard (S) 1-3, 2 RBI; Sam Harris (S) 2-3; Madison Bundy (A) 4-4, 3 2b, RBI; Tara Bellusci (A) 2-4, 3b, RBI; Kayla Rieger (A) 2-2 RBI.

Chehelis 9, Pullman 4

Pullman    110    020    0    —    4    11    1
Chehalis    502    020    x    —    9    7    2

Perisho and Guettinger; Graham and Stoudemire.

Highlights: Amy Sterk (P) 3-4, 2 2b; Meleah Nordquist (P) 3-4; Caitlyn Linehan (C) 3-4; Ashleigh Cox (C) 1-2, HR, 5 RBI.

Sehome 3, North Mason 1

Sehome              100    101    0    —    3    4    1
North Mason    000    001    0    —    1    3    1

Johnson and Wilkerson; Anderson and Lopez.

Highlights: Lindsay Johnson (S) 7 IP, 7 K, 2 BB, 1 ER; Emily Anderson (NM) 7 IP, 8 K, 2 BB, 2 ER.

Colville 2, Centralia 0

Centralia    000    000    0    —    0    2    0
Colville        000    101    X    —    2    6    0

Milton, Brower (3) and Hull; Holst and Hamilton.

Highlights: Alison Holst (Col) 7 IP, 7 K, 1 BB; Erin Torgerson (Col) 2-2.

QUARTERFINALS

Hoquiam 5, Othello 4

Othello       000    001    3    —    4    5    2
Hoquiam    102    001    1    —    5    10    1

Rodriguez, Garza (4) and Martinez; Spurgeon and Gilmore.

Highlights: Jasmine Gilmore (H) 3-3, HR, 2 RBI; Jordan Cummings GW RBI.

Woodland 12, Blaine 2

Woodland        343    11    —    12    11    0
Blaine                000    20    —    2    6    3

Holt and Tesdale; Trueblood, Bolick (4) and Sellers.

Highlights: Holt (W) 5 IP, 8 K, 2-3, 2 runs; Rikki Hall (W) 3-4, 2 RBI; Stefawn Perrin (B) 2-2, 2b; Taylor Trueblood (B) 1-2, HR, 2 RBI.

Chehalis 5, Anacortes 2

Anacortes    101    000    0    —    2    5    2
Chehalis       001    040    x    —    5    8    3

Saunders and Roney; Graham and Stoudemire.

Highlights: Maria Roney (A) 1-3, HR, 2 RBI; Marissa Reynolds (C) 2-3, 2b, RBI.

Colville 6, Sehome 5

Sehome    000    050    0    —    5    5    0
Colville      000    010    5    —    6    8    4

Johnson and Wilkerson; Carr and Hamilton.

Highlights: Lindsay Johnson (S) 2-3, HR, 3 RBI; Amanda Hamilton (C) 2-4, RBI; Jo Rogers (C) 2-RBI GWH.

CONSOLATION BRACKET

Cheney 10, Ellensburg 5

Ellensburg    300    011    0    —    5    8    3
Cheney            307    000    x    —    10    11    0

Harris, Gant (3) and Me. Swanson; Lane and Ford.

Highlights: Cassie Sharon (E) 3-4, 2 2b; Jessica Harris (E) 2-4, 2b, 3 RBI; Ellie Layman (E) 2-4; Gracie Pitts (C) 2-4, HR, 5 RBI; Nicole Lane (C) 3-3, RBI.

Selah 5, Pullman 2

Selah          201    200    0    —    5    9    2
Pullman    001    100    0    —    2    6    5

Weedin, Stout (7) and Slobig; Perisho and Guettinger.

Highlights: Natalie Fickes (S) 3-4, 2b, 2 RBI; Jamie Alliston (S) 2-4, RBI.

Steilacoom 5, Granite Falls 3

Steilacoom        201    000    2    —    5    6    3
Granite Falls    030    000    0    —    3    6    1

Kassuhn and Carmichael; Arndt, Amundson (7) and Spencer.

Highlights: Denae Sillis (S) 2-4; Carissa Murphy (S) 2 RBI; Jessica Miller (S) 3-4, RBI; Chelaina Crews (GF) 2-3, RBI.

North Mason 9, Centralia 2

Centralia            100    010    0    —    2    7    1
North Mason    330    003    x    —    9    9    1

Brower, Milton (2) and Hull; Anderson and Lopez.

Highlights: Lauren Liseth (C) 1-3, HR, RBI; Parker Pockington (C) 3-4, 2b; Emily Anderson (NM) 7 IP, 8 K, 2 ER, 3-3, 3 RBI; Tristan Stromberg (NM) 2-3, 2 RBI.

Selah 11, Blaine 2

Selah     100    432    1    —    11    20    1
Blaine    010    100    0    —    2    7    1

Stout and Slobig; Dudley and Sellers.

Highlights: Stefawn Perrin (B) 2-3; Brittney Denson (B) 2-3; Ashley Wilkey (S) 3-4, RBI; Sarah Bersing (S) 1-1, 2 RBI; Courtney Cable (S) 2-4, 2 2b, RBI; Natalie Fickes (S) 3-4, 2b; Jamie Alliston (S) 2-4, RBI; Morgan McAllister (S) 2-4, 2b, RBI; Tori Slobig (S) 2-4, 2b, RBI.

North Mason 4, Othello 0

North Mason     012    010    0    —    4    7    1
Othello                000    000    0    —    0    2    5

Anderson and Lopez; E. Garza, Rodriguez (4) and Martinez.

Highlights: Emily Anderson (NM) 7 IP, 9 K, 0 ER, 3-4, HR, 3 RBI; Haley Angstead (NM) 2-2.

Anacortes 12, Cheney 1

Anacortes     103    35    —    12    NA    NA
Cheney           010    00    —    1    NA    NA

Saunders, Crookes (5) and Rieger; McDowell, Lane (4) and Ford.

Highlights: Maria Roney (S) 2-3, 2b, 2 RBI; Hannah Brennan (A) 3-4, 5 RBI; Matti Foster (A) 1-3, 3b, 2 RBI.

Steilacoom 8, Sehome 7 (10)

Sehome          110    000    103    1    —    7    5    3
Steilacoom    021    000    003    2    —    8    8    1

Johnson and Wilkerson; Creger-Zier, Kassuhn (3) and Carmichael.

Highlights: Marki Creger-Zier (St) 3-4, 3b, HR, RBI; Lani Cabana (St) GW RBI.

Class 2B

FIRST ROUND

Pe Ell 12, Rainier Christian 0

Rainier Christian    000    00        —    0    2    2
Pe Ell                          650    1x        —    12    7    0

Tabit and L. Smith; Phelps and Brooks.

Highlights: Angelina Phelps (PE) 7 Ks; Amanda Woods (PE) 1-1, 3b, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Cassie Johnson (PE) 1-3, 2 runs.

Mary Walker 11, La Salle 8 (8)

Mary Walker    030    041    03    —    11    7    1
La Salle              601    001    00    —    8    6    3

Sulgrove, Franks (2) and Goad; Gonzalez and Stickel.

Highlights: Jessica Sulgrove (MW) 1-2, 2 runs; Taylor Smith (MW) 2 runs; Chantel Dixon (MW) 3-5, 3 runs; Haley Bernath (LS) 2-4.

Orcas Island 13, Oroville 3

Oroville                 002    010    —    3    3    4
Orcas Island        211    441    —    13    10    4

Egerton and Quick; Garcia and Bodenhammer.

Highlights: Emily Bodenhamer (OI) 2-4, 3 runs, RBI; Adria Garcia (OI) 9 Ks, 2-4, run, 2 RBI; Mackie Taylor (OI) 2-4, RBI; Brooke Bruland (OI) 1-3, 3 runs.

Colfax 17, Waitsburg-Prescott 7

Waitsburg-Prescott        006    01    —    7    6    10
Colfax                                  071    9x    —    17    9    2

Kasmira and Withers; Hickman and Hall, Moore (4), Hall (5).

Highlights: Sarah Wilson (WP) 1-3, HR, 3 RBI; Christa Nyholm (C) 2-4, 3 runs, RBI; Brooke Waldo (C) 3 runs; Carmen Hall (C) 2 runs; Dannielle Herne (C) 2-4, 3 runs, 3 RBI; Rachel Robinson (C) 2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Amy Hickman (C) 2-3, 2 runs.

Napavine 13, Seattle Lutheran 9

Seattle Lutheran    150    111    0    —    9    9    6
Napavine                 910    102    x    —    13    12    2

S. Foy and Shaw; Peters, Hylton (3) and May.

Highlights: Kelsey Shaw (SL) 2-4, 3 runs; Danya Van Trojen (SL) 1-2, run, 2 RBI; Sarah Crunican (SL) 2-2, run, 3 RBI; Ashley Goodman (N) and Grace Hylton (N) 2 runs each; Lacey Morris (N) 2 RBI; Demi Sahlinger (N) 3-4, 2 runs, RBI.

DeSales 7, Kittitas 6 (11)

DeSales    000    020    400    01    —    7    9    0
Kittitas     100    003    200    00    —    6    8    2

Lyons and Aruzen; Maupin and Calahan.

Highlights: Ashlyn Lyons (D) 16 Ks; Janelle Hartford (D) 2-4, 2 2b, run; Michelle Prior (D) 2-6, 2 runs; Dallas Maupin (K) 2-3, HR, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Kayvonne Vaver (K) 2 runs.

Adna 6, LaConner 2

LaConner    000    200    0    —    2    3    10
Adna              310    001    x    —    6    5    2

Miller and McClung; Lee and Brattain.

Highlights: Samie Miller (L) 2 RBI; Jessika-Jo Sandrini (A) 2-3, run, RBI; Jordan Zurfluh (A) 3 runs.

Davenport 14, Tekoa-Oakesdale-Rosalia 10

Davenport            064    121    0    —    14    16    5
Tek.-Oak.-Ros.    220    221    x    —    10    10    3

Graber and Choate; B. Maley and Madison.

Highlights: Maranda Brantley (D) 2 runs, 3 RBI; Alysha Brantley (D) 4-5, 4 RBI; Shelby Thomas (D) 2-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Brianna Cooper (D) 2-5, 3 runs; Kaitlen Isherwood (D) 2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Katelyn Maley (TOR) 3 runs; Briann Maley (TOR) 2-4, run, 2 RBI; Hannah Sims (TOR) 2-4, 2 runs.

QUARTERFINALS

Pe Ell 13, Mary Walker 0

Mary Walker        000    00    —    0    2    2
Pe Ell                      103    27    —    13    10    1

Franks and Goad; Woods and Alden.

Highlights: Amanda Woods (PE) 12 K’s, 3-4, 2 runs, 4 RBI; Amanda Alden (PE) 2-3, 2 runs, RBI.

Colfax 15, Orcas Island 6

Orcas Island    012    030    0    —    6    11    4
Colfax                 122    018    x    —    15    13    2

Garcia, Smith (6) and Bodehamer; Hickman and Hall.

Highlights: Amy Hickman (C) 3-3; Dani Herne (C) HR; Kayleigh Maltone (C) 2-3; Hoffman (OI) 3-3.

Napavine 22, DeSales 5

Napavine    010    524    9    —    22    23    3
DeSales        001    130    0    —    5    6    6

Hylton and May; Lyons, Warnick (7) and Arnzen, Lee (7).

Highlig hts: Ali Brossard (N) 4-6, 5 runs, 4 RBI; Hazel DeKoker (N) 3-6, 5 runs; Sami May (N) 3-6; Demi Sahlinger (N) 3-6, 2 runs, RBI.

Adna 9, Davenport 0

Davenport    000    000    0    —    0    0    0
Adna                101    025    x    —    9    13    1

Graber, Borden (7) and Choate; Sandrin and Brattain.

Highlights: Jessika-Jo Sandrini (A) 16 K’s, 2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Haley Kindell (A) 3-4, 2 RBI; Jordan Zurfluh (A) 3-4, 2 runs; Brooke Williams (A) 2-4, 2 runs.

CONSOLATIONS

La Salle 4, Rainier Christian 3

Rainier Christian    001    000    2    —    3    4    0
La Salle                      130    000    x    —    4    8    0

Huston and Smith; Gonzalez and Weedin.

Highlights: Jessica Wiest (RC) 2-3, RBI; Tori Gonzalez (LS) 7 Ks; Katie Knoebel (LS) 2-4, RBI; Sarah Weedin (LS) 2-3, run; Haley Bernath (LS) 2-4, run, RBI.

Waitsburg-Prescott 11, Oroville 1

Oroville                             000    10    —    1    4    2
Waitsburg-Prescott        001    55    —    11    10    2

Egerton, Hutsel (5) and R. Quick; Nichols and Withers.

Highlights: Melanie Thompson (O) 2-2, run; Sarena Carper (O) 2-2; Sarah Wilson (WP) 2-3, 2 runs; Jennifer Nichols (WP) 2-3, run; Rachelle Oseth (WP) 1-2, 2 runs; Katy Hofer (WP) 1-2, 2 runs.

Seattle Lutheran 7, Kittitas 6

Kittitas                       311    001    0    —    6    8    1
Seattle Lutheran    102    000    4    —    7    10    1

Maupin and Calahan; Foy and Shaw.

Highlights: Dallas Maupin (K) 9 K’s, 2-4; Sareena Calahan (K) 2-4, run; Megan Rae Erickson (K) 2 RBI; Kayvonne Vaver (K) 2-4, run, RBI; Kelsey Shaw (SL) 2 runs; Sarah Crunican (SL) 3-4, 2 runs, RBI; Ali Bigliardi (SL) 3-3, run; Katherine Smith (SL) gw 2-run 2b.

LaConner 4, Tekoa-Oakesdale-Rosalia 3

Tek.-Oak.-Ros.    100    010    1    —    3    9    0
LaConner              301    100    x    —    4    7    0

B. Maley and Madison; Hedlund, Miller (6) and Swanson.

Highlights: Katelyn Maley (TOR) 4-4, 3 runs; Briann Maley (TOR) 2-4, RBI; Alissa McCoy (L) 2-4, run; Lauren McClung (L) 1-3, HR, 2 RBI; Abi Hedlund (L) 2-3, run.

Class 1B

QUARTERFINALS

(8-team field)

Colton 18, Lake Quinault 0

Lake Quinault        000    00    —    0    2    1
Colton                       (12)40    2x    —    18    11    0

Cobi-Sansom and Kalama; Mosier, Nygreen (3) and Kramer, Vincent (3).

Highlights: Kelsey Moser (C) 2-3, 3 runs, RBI; Megan Grassi (C) 2-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI.

Almira-Coulee-Hartline 12, Sunnyside Christian 3

ACH                       430    012    2    —    12    13    1
Sunnyside Chr.    000    030    0    —    3    5    6

Gloyn and Jones; Ash. Haak, Morrow (2) and Van Wingerden.

Highlights: Nikki Osborne (ACH) 3-4, run; Amanda Frank (ACH) 2-5, 2 runs; Miranda Porterfield (ACH) 2-4, 2 runs; Sarah Gloyn (ACH) 2-4, 2 runs; Danika DeGroot (SC) 1-3, run.

Touchet 6, Thorp-Easton 3

Thorp-Easton    002    010    0    —    3    5    5
Touchet                100    022    x    —    6    9    3

Hutchinson and Me. Alma; Brown and Kessler.

Highlights: Kelsey Hutchinson (TE) 1-3, RBI; Melissa Alma (TE) 1-4, run, RBI; Zoe Weaver (To) 2-4, 3 runs; Taylor Jasperson (To) RBI; Megan Reed (To) solo HR.

Cusick 18, Highland Christian 6

Cusick                               421    56    —    18    11    1
Highland Christian        002    31    —    6    3    9

Ostrom and Adamson; Brown and Si. Diemer.

Highlights: Bailey Ostrom (C) 3 runs; Haley Adams (C) 3 runs, 2 RBI; Makinzie Adamson (C) 3-4, HR, 3 runs, 3 RBI; Lauren Nelson (C) 2-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Sierra Diemer (HC) 2 RBI.

SEMIFINALS

Colton 18, Almira-Coulee-Hartline 9

Colton    201    0(12)1    2    —    18    13    0
ACH          003    213    0    —    9    6    5

K. Moser and Kramer; Gloyn and Jones.

Highlights: Mikayla Nygreen (C) 2-6, 5 runs; Kelsey Moser (C) 2-5, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Megan Grassl (C) 3-5, 2 runs; Erin Weber (C) 3-5, 2 runs; Megan Heitstuman (C) 3-5, run, 2 RBI.

Touchet 12, Cusick 1

Touchet        410    07    —    12    11    2
Cusick           000    01    —    1    3    3

Reed and Kessler; Ostrom and M. Adamson.

Highlights: Megan Reed (T) 2-4, HR, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Zoe Weaver (T) 2-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Taylor Jasperson (T) 2-4, 2 runs, RBI; Stephanie Samuel (T) 2-4, run, 2 RBI; Haley Adams (C) 2-3.

CONSOLATIONS

Sunnyside Christian 18, Lake Quinault 0

Lake Quinault          000    00    —    0    1    3
Sunnyside Chr.        054    45    —    18    10    1

Obi-Sansom and Kalama; Ash. Haak, Morrow (3) and Van Wingerden.

Highlights: Janelle DeGroot (SC) 2-4, 3 runs, RBI; Julie Long (SC) 2-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Makayla Morrow (SC) 1-2, 2 RBI; Gabrielle Filicetti (SC) 4 runs.

Thorp-Easton 10, Highland Christian 3

Highland Chr.    201    000    0    —    3    4    4
Thorp-Easton    601    102    x    —    10    7    2

Sa. Diemer and Si. Diemer; Hutchinson and Me. Alma.

Highlights: Esther Brown (HC) 2-4, 2 runs; Melissa Alma (TE) 2-4, run, 2 RBI; Kelsey Hutchinson (TE) 12 K’s, 2 runs; Alexis Houle (TE) 1-3, 2 runs; Jerica Reiners (TE) 2 runs.

Track: Ike’s Bush wins discus

TACOMA, Wash. — What Jessica Bush wanted to do was get away from everything. Get out of the rain, dry off, warm up and think about anything other than track and field and how her hope of a state title in the shot had taken such a painful turn Friday morning.

But what the Eisenhower senior had to do just a few hours later was go back out in the cold windy rain and compete again.

For the last time of her high school career.

“I had to tell myself, look, nobody’s perfect and I have to find a way to stay positive,” Bush said. “There was still a chance for that moment I always dreamed about.”

That final ill-timed opportunity was offered without mercy to the brokenhearted, but she seized at the first chance and didn’t let go.

Facing a bitingly cold wind, Bush cast the discus 137 feet, 1 inch on her first attempt, backed it up with another throw of 136-4 and went on to win the event by more than four feet Friday afternoon at the Class 4A championships at Mount Tahoma High School.

The emotion of the clutch accomplishment swept Bush up and carried her on a tour of hugs with coaches, family and friends. The tears were of joy, relief and the emmense satification of turning a really bad day into the best of her life.

“When I hit that 137 on the first throw I thought, wow, this might happen,” Bush said. “That I stayed focused and kept throwing well makes me very proud. It was unbelieveable the way things started today and where it ended. It’s just perfect.”

The day itself, obviously, was far from it as 4A, 3A and 2A athletes endured a weather-ravaged day that soaked the facility and forced the postponement of three pole vault events, including the 4A boys with Davis’ Marcus Schooley and Michael Martinez in the field.

With Friday’s finals being limited to field events, with the exception of the 110 and 100 hurdles, Bush’s victory highlighted an otherwise quiet day for Valley athletes. Four local CWAC athletes collected medals, topped by a fourth-place finish by East Valley’s Annie Martinez in the 2A shot.

It was in the 4A shot in the morning, which took the brunt of the heaviest rain, that Bush’s day slipped in a puddle. Touting a season best of 42-10 1/4, she produced five throws in the 38s with a best of 39-0 3/4 for sixth place. Not what you’d expect from someone coming in with 12 straight meets over 40 feet.

“Somehow I just wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t amped-up enough to compete,” Bush said. “When I woke up this morning and saw the rain it was like, why today? But everybody had to deal with it. For me, I thought I was ready but there was a piece missing.”

She found it in her routine. Always seeking to view the two throws as completely separate meets, Bush cleaned her mental slate and forgot, for the time being, about the morning.

Only Ferris’ Natalie Kyllo got close in the discus, reaching 132-8 for second place on her last throw. But there was late drama nonetheless.

Kyllo’s teammate, Alexa Lindseth, was the final thrower with a chance to overtake Bush in the finals. When she settled for 129-2 and third place the Ike senior simply spun a casual 125-11 to conclude the event and start her celebration.

But the head official granted Lindseth a re-throw of her final attempt, citing a disruption from a cell phone in the crowd and his loud reminder to turn such devices off. It was no small deal to the Cadets’ coaches, remembering that Lindseth had beaten Bush the week before by throwing a school record on her last throw.

But Ike’s brief protest was denied and Lindseth was allowed to throw again. When it was measured at 124-8, Bush finally had her victory officially.

“I held my breath on that one,” Bush said with a smile. “I just wanted it to be over.”

Martinez, who was eighth in the 2A shot a year ago, was one of many to struggle with the wet throwing conditions, which officials tried to lessen in the ring with frequent stops for a high-powered blower. While the fourth-place finish was worth a nice smile, her distance of 38-8 was not.

“Honestly, if I PRed and took ninth I would have liked that better,” said Martinez, who owns a best of 41-5. “But I’ve thrown in the rain maybe once all year. Fourth is still pretty good.”

Friday’s other local placers in the 2A meet were all from Selah — John Rheaume (javelin), Ignacio Romero (high jump) and Lena Mitchell (100 hurdles).

With five pole vault events to contest today and only one pit, meet officials moved the 2A boys and 2A girls events to Pacific Lutheran University at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively. At Mount Tahoma, the day will start with the 3A girls at 9 a.m. followed by 4A girls (noon) and 4A boys (3 p.m.).

In Friday’s prelims, West Valley’s girls advanced all their major players through to today’s finals — Chantel Jaeger in the 100 and 200, Lindsay Burns in the 400 and Haley Curtis in the 300 hurdles. The Rams will also have their 4×200 and 4×400 teams competing today along with Burns in the long jump.

Track: Riverside Christian takes aim

CHENEY, Wash. — Derek Byrne got through a pain barrier. Kyle Gartrell overcame a distance barrier. And now the barriers are few to a second straight team championship by Riverside Christian’s boys.

Byrne’s winning javelin throw and Gartrell’s title-winning triple jump highlighted the Crusaders’ performance on the first day of the Class 2B track and field championships at Eastern Washington University.

“We feel pretty strong,” said coach Scott Wells. “I think we’re going to be hard to beat in this meet.” The two-day competition concludes today.

On Friday,  Byrne was feeling no pain as he stepped up to throw, which was good news for him. “I threw out my shoulder in the middle of the season,” said Byrne, who had a season-best195 feet at the Pasco Invite in April. He spent most of the last half of the season nursing it back to health.

“At district it felt good; I gave it all I could (Friday).” His district throw was 177-0, and he almost matched that Friday with a first throw of 175-1, but then Lind-Ritzville’s James Coon responded with 176-10. After his second throw sailed170-plus feet out of bounds, Byrne came back with his winner of 187-8.

From his release, “I knew it was going to be good one,” Byrne said. “It felt a lot better than the others,” all of which cleared 170 or more. Coon’s best of 181-8 gave him second.

Gartrell’s barrier involved space and time — namely, a quarter-inch and a year to think about it.

In winning the state triple jump last year, he leaped 44 feet, 11 and three-quarters inch — a quarter-inch shy of the benchmark 45-foot jump.

“Finally broke that 45,” said a relieved Gartrell. “It’s a good barrier to break.” But again came that time thing: He cleared it on his final jump, knowing that a previous 44-9 had given him a repeat state title. “The pressure was off and I just relaxed,” said Gartrell. Teammate Nate VanTuinen jumped 43-2 to win fourth-place points for RC.

Gartrell also gathered a fourth place of his own, in the pole vault with a mark of 12 feet.

RC could have an even better day today. Byrne and Gartrell come into the long jump with the top two seeded marks, and sprinter Kent Gartrell qualified in the 100 and 200. Also good to go are the powerful 4×100 and 4×400 teams, both of whom recorded the top times in Friday’s qualifying.

All that left coach Scott Wells feeling pretty good about his team’s chances as the two-day meet wraps up today.“I like where we’re sitting right now,” said Wells, who views Northwest Christian of Lacey as RC’s main competition.

Among the busiest individuals in today’s finals will be Lyle-Wishram’s Cody Carlsen, whose 50.75 seconds in the 400 on Friday was the top qualifying time. He had the second fastest qualifiers in the 100 and 200.

On the girls side, La Salle hopes to make its mark in today’s finals with its 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams, all of which qualified Friday. The 4×200 team’s time of 1:49:98 led all qualifiers.

Individually, the Lightning’s Alicia Ashby qualified in the 100 and 200.

Bethany Imperial of Riverside Christian took sixth in the long jump with 16 feet, one-quarter inch. Siena Noe of La Salle placed seventh in the 3200 with a time of 12:25:47.

Track: TL-G takes two titles

CHENEY, Wash. — Alec England of Trout Lake-Glenwood jumped into an early lead in a running event, and, except for a brief stretch, never let it go. Liz Vogt jumped into an early lead in, well, a jumping event, and likewise held it in her grip.

The early developments brought Trout Lake-Glenwood two individual titles on the first day of the state Class 1B track and championships Friday at Eastern Washington University.

Bickleton also got in on the gold. The Pirates’ Nic Venema topped the field in the pole vault by outlasting four district rivals from Trout Lake-Glenwood.

England got the gold rush going in the 1600. He led from the gun with Mount Rainier Lutheran’s Jake Kornbau in tow, a strategy that appeared to backfire with 300 meters to go.

“Jake was kinda freaking me out,” said England of the on-his-heels competitor, especially when Kornbau edged into the lead on the backstretch of the final lap.

But England responded, took the lead at the corner and powered his way to victory. “That last 200 meters hurt the worst,” said England, though he was feeling better after recording a personal best of 4:39:63, two seconds ahead of Kornbau. England, a junior, placed fourth last year in 4:49.72.

Over in the triple jump, Vogt on her first attempt made a great leap of 34 feet, 3/4 inch, a personal best by a foot-and-a-half into a headwind on a chilly day in which clouds held sway over occasional sunshine.

“I love the cold weather,” said Vogt, a junior who sees her share of it in Columbia Gorge track meets.

Likewise, the blustery conditions didn’t bother Venema, whose height of 11 feet, 0 inch was a foot off his personal best but still good enough to win over TL-G’s Brian Langfield. Langfield also cleared 11-0, but the victory went to Venema on the basis of fewer misses.

“I knew it was going to be a dogfight,” said Venema. “He usually beats me, but I managed to get him today.”

Trout Lake-Glenwood took the next three places: Harvey Start in 10-6, Donny Woodruff in 10-0 and Tygh Schuster at 10-0.

A different Vogt from TL-G, Valerie, debuted at state with a runner-up medal and a personal best in the 3200.

Vogt, a freshman, stayed with North Sound Christian’s Lynne Washio for seven laps, but then Washio pulled away — incrementallly — to take the victory in 12:23.95. Vogt was right behind in 12:25.99, a personal best by almost 30 seconds.

Also placing second was Charice McConville of Klickitat, the defending state discus champion who threw 109-10, trailing only Cusick’s Andrea Heinen, a winner with 118-9. While McConville was one place back compared to last year, she was several feet ahead; she  won in 2009 with 100-0.

Samantha Brewer of Klickitat won medals in two jumping events Friday. In the high jump, Brewer clearned 5 feet 2 inches, the same height as the Lopez Island duo of Laura Strom and Lyra Dalton, but was awarded third on the number of misses.

Brewer, last year’s champion in the triple jump, settled for fifth this year with a jump of 32.00.75. Bickleton’s Katelynn Clinton took fifth in the discus with 98-7, and Zoe Linder of Klickitat was right behind in seventh at 92-7.

Trout Lake-Glenwood, the defending girls team champion with hopes of a team trophy in 2010, qualified its 4×100 team along with Bickleton for today’s final round. TL-G also will field 4×200 and 4×400 relays today, along with Liz Vogt in the 300 hurdles, Katie Yarnell in the 100, 400 and pole vault, Valerie Vogt in the 800 and 1600, and McKenzie Zoller in the pole vault.

The boys team also will bring teams in the 4×100 and 4×400 relays, along with Lucas King in the 200 and 400, England in the 800 and freshman Chase England in the 3200.

Bickleton also produced a double medal winner in thrower Edgar Molina, Molina, runner-up last year in the shot put, repeated that place with a throw of 44-101/4. The Pirate senior also took fourth in the discus with a throw of 132-00.

CLASS 1A: For a few fleeting moments, Kelsie Taylor of Naches Valley held first place in javelin and a title in sight. There was only one more competitor left to throw, Rainier’s Kristen Schoenherr, who had raced off to compete in track events.

Schoenherr returned after everyone else had finished, and on first of her three final throws, tossed 132-0. Taylor wound up in second with 129-4 and with compliments for the winner. “It was a good throw,” said Taylor, a sophomore making her second trip to state. “It’s all good, I’ve still got two years,” she said.

Joining Taylor on the javelin medals stand was Ranger teammate Jessica Farris, who placed fifth in 113-8. In a different throwing event, Sadie Shattuck of Goldendale placed sixth in the shot put with a throw of 35-53/4.

Soccer: Cheney knocks off Top-Hi

SUMNER, Wash. — Toppenish coach Uriel Gonzalez remains upbeat.

But even he could not conceal his feelings after the Wildcats lost 2-0 in the Class 2A state boys soccer semifinals Friday night against Cheney at Sunset Chev Stadium.

“It’s disappointing,” he said. “Our boys worked so hard for this.”

Toppenish (14-7), which plays at noon today against Sehome in the third- and fourth-place game, had several scoring opportunities but could not convert against senior goalkeeper Andrew Wilson. Sehome lost 3-0 in Friday’s quarterfinals against Bellingham.

Senior midfielder Luis Alcala, the CWAC’s co-MVP who has 20 goals this year, had a shot saved by Wilson in the 19th minute and missed the left goalpost by inches in the 47th.

“That’s the game of soccer,” Gonzalez said. “We took more shots and controlled the game. We just didn’t finish.”

The Blackhawks (18-3), who advance to the title game for a third consecutive season, did that with goals by senior midfielder Austin Walker in the 38th and the 59th minutes. Senior goalkeeper Leo Fuentes saved two other shots by Walker.

“(Fuentes) did a really good job,” Gonzalez said. “They just got two really good shots on us.”

Wilson said that was more than enough support for him and his defenders. The shutout was the 11th of the season for Cheney, which has allowed just 13 goals this year and have outscored opponents 5-0 in three state-playoff games.

“It’s a feat to go back to the finals,” said Wilson, whose team fell 4-2 to Squalicum in the 2009 title game and suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to Sehome in the 2008 championship. “But this year we want to win it.”

That does not mean it came easy.

“I thought they were a really difficult team,” he said. “Them and Quincy probably are the top two teams we’ve played.”

It begins with Alcala. Even though he was held scoreless, Wilson said he provided constant pressure, particularly on his first shot.

“(Alcala) is a very talented player,” he said. “He caught me cheating toward that far post and he sat one up on the near post, but I got there.”

Despite the loss, Gonzalez said he was happy with his team’s performance. In addition to Alcala, senior defender Faustino Teran had a shot saved by Wilson in the 58th.

“I am proud of them,” he said. “They worked very hard and I am pretty sure they left their signature here. We had more possessions and we just didn’t put the ball in the net.”

Toppenish could match its highest placement at state if that changes today. The Wildcats, who have advanced to state four times in their history, also finished third in 2007. They advanced to state last year, but did not place.

“We’ll take a medal back,” Gonzalez said. “We’re proud of this. We represented Toppenish well.”

— Chris Chancellor/For the Yakima Herald-Republic

First half: 1, Cheney, Austin Walker, 38:00.

Second half: 2, Cheney, Walker, 59:00.

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