RICHLAND – Eight teams were eliminated from the 1A State Fastpitch Tournament on Friday, but Mount Baker still remained. However, it couldn’t get past Warden in the opening game on Saturday, which ultimately ended the Mounties’ season with an 18-9 record.
“We couldn’t make some of the routine plays out there today,” Mountaineer coach Ron Lepper said. “They had that big inning against us, and we couldn’t get back on track.”
Warden jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after the first inning. Mount Baker senior first baseman Erica Brown crushed a double to right field to lead off the second inning, and scored when junior Anya Zender reached base on an error. The Cougars when then go on to score three more in the bottom of the second.
Mountie senior Kaylea Sleveland reached on a fielder’s choice in the third inning, advanced to second base on an error, then advanced to third on a ground out and ultimately scored on a pass ball. But, it would be the last run of the game for red and black attack.
Warden caught fire in the fifth inning, scoring six runs without an out recorded to win the game 12-2.
Mount Baker junior catcher Grace Davis walked twice and hit a single, and Brown added a walk along with her double.
“We had good team chemistry this year, and a lot of different girls came through for us in clutch situations,” said Lepper. “Our goal was to make it to the second day of the state tournament, and we did that. It was a good season. We had nine losses this year, but all nine of them came to teams that made the state tournament.”
