Softball: University, Shadle Park make state; 4A teams stay home

Spokane’s state softball tournament will be missing something:

A team from Spokane.

Richland and Walla Walla of the Mid-Columbia Conference dominated Saturday’s 4A regional at University to grab the two berths to next week’s State 4A tournament at Merkel Sports Complex.

Richland (20-2) pounded out 19 hits, including 18 singles, to subdue Central Valley 18-1 in the title game. Walla Walla (17-5), which opened the day with a 10-3 win that eliminated Lewis and Clark (13-9), turned around and knocked out CV 7-1 as senior catcher Jacie McDaniels went 4 for 4 with five runs batted in.

“Those MCC teams can hit,” said coach Joe Stanton, whose Bears (18-5) made state in 2012 and ’13. “That’s what I say about the state tournament. … They’re there because they can hit, and both of these teams put on a hitting clinic.”

Spokane’s state-bound teams, headed to Lacey, are University (18-6) and Shadle Park (16-9). U-Hi opened the 3A regional with a 12-3 winner-to-state win over Shadle before falling to Kamiakin 12-11 in the title game. Shadle qualified with a 6-5 win over North Central (7-17).

U-Hi scored eight runs in the top of the seventh against Kamiakin for an 11-9 lead, but the Braves scored three in the bottom of the inning, winning on McKenzie Lowry’s bases-loaded single to center. U-Hi didn’t notice that Kamiakin batted out of order in the seventh, which would have meant a first out.

“It’s another season,” Titans coach Jon Schuh said of state. “Like I told them, ‘I’m excited, ladies. Don’t get me wrong. If you’re going to go over there, you might as well make some noise.’ ”

Shadle edged NC when Caitlyn Fullmer doubled with two out in the sixth and scored on Sarah Tiffany’s triple.

“We were fortunate to get that winning run across,” Shadle coach Guy Perham said. “Anything goes now. It’s all win-win.”

District 7 2A

McKenna Cabbage struck out 12 and Jessi Wittmeyer homered as host Colville (20-2) defeated Deer Park 5-2 in the title game and advanced to state for the 13th consecutive year.

The Stags (15-8) bounced back to qualify for their first state tourney since 2002 with a 4-3 eight-inning win that eliminated East Valley (15-7).

DP’s Katelynn Irish hit a solo homer in the top of the eighth, and right fielder Kelli Hughes threw out the potential tying run at home plate in the bottom of the eighth.

1A regional

Taylor Wuesthoff had four hits, three runs and three RBIs as Lakeside (22-2) beat Okanogan 16-11 in the title game at Central Valley.

McKensie Brittos added three hits and three RBIs for the Eagles, who will make their eighth consecutive appearance at state. Okanogan (21-3) advanced as the second seed.

Medical Lake (18-7) earned the No. 3 seed with a 5-2 win that eliminated Riverside (17-8). The Cardinals’ last appearance was 2006.

2B regional

Hannah Hustad pitched a three-hitter, striking out 11, and Mackenzie Gray hit a three-run homer as Northwest Christian (22-3) defeated DeSales 11-1 in six innings in the title game.

NWC, second the last two years, advances to state for the fourth straight year. The Irish (19-4) advance as the second seed.

Mickenzie Mullins pitched a three-hitter and had three hits as Asotin (14-12) posted an 8-1 win over Garfield-Palouse/Tekoa-Oakesdale (12-11) in the game for third and fourth seeds to state.

Colfax (15-6) earned the fifth and final seed with a 14-8 win over Tri-Cities Prep (14-9).

District 7 1B

Cayeleona Fanning (14-2) scattered six hits as Curlew (18-3) qualified for state with a 16-3 five-inning win at Hartline that eliminated Selkirk (11-7). Curlew will make its sixth trip to state.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline (17-2) defeated Curlew for the title. No details were reported. ACH was state runner-up the last three years.

District 9 1B

Hannah Kramer doubled twice, scored twice and had two RBIs as Colton (18-2) qualified for state with a 14-2, five-inning win over Touchet (13-6) in the title game.

The Wildcats will make their 10th state appearance. They’ve won the last five titles.