Softball: Shadle Park holds off Southridge in 3A regional

There are more dynamic ways to earn a save, but Brittney Gately recorded the crucial outs that Shadle Park needed.

Gately, who relieved Jaya Allen with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth inning, minimized the damage and overcame a shaky sixth Tuesday as the Highlanders (15-8) moved within one win of the State 3A tournament with a 10-9 victory over visiting Southridge (5-17) in 3A regional play.

“It’s really a hard position to come in as a pitcher, but I knew I had to do my job and pitch like I can and we ended with a win, so it worked out,” said Gately, who retired the Suns 1-2-3 in the seventh to preserve the win.

Shadle will play for a state berth at 11 a.m. Saturday at University against the host Titans (17-5). Also at 11, two-time defending state champion Kamiakin (18-2) will meet North Central (7-15) for a state berth.

First-game winners will play at 1 p.m. for the title and state seeding. At the same time, first-game losers will meet for the final state berth.

Shadle built leads of 5-1 after three innings and 10-4 after five, but the Suns fought back. Southridge scored five runs in the sixth, aided by three of the five hit batters Shadle tallied in the game, and had runners on second and third base with two outs when Gately struck out pinch hitter Hayley Miller.

“We found a way to win, and that’s really the one positive that stands out about everything,” Highlanders coach Guy Perham said. “In the earlier part of the season, we would have found a way to lose.”

Laurie Jones sparked Shadle’s three-run first with a RBI single. She also singled to start Shadle’s two-run third.

Allen allowed solo homers to left to Makensie Meyer in the second and Jordan Ziemba in the fourth, but she entered the fifth with a 5-3 lead. She promptly walked her first three batters and gave way to Gately.

Gately’s first pitch hit Meyer, cutting Shadle’s lead to 5-4. But Gately ended the threat with a strikeout and groundout.

Shadle batted around in the fifth, starting with Berkley Fisher’s double. Sarah Myers, Sarah Tiffany, Gately and Leslie Jones registered RBIs.

The 10-4 lead evaporated as the Suns sent 10 batters to the plate in the sixth. Sam Scogin’s two-run double made it 10-9 before Gately shut the door.

“I think it shows us that we need to play to the best of our abilities and not play down,” Gately said. “Just keep the energy up and do what we can do.”

University 12, Kennewick 0 (5): Alex Douglas allowed one hit and hit a two-run home run to help the Titans beat the visiting Lions (5-12). Rachael Johnson had two hits and stole three bases, and the Titans scored six runs in the fourth.

North Central 6, Hanford 5: The Indians (7-15) built a 6-0 lead in the fourth and held on to edge the host Falcons (10-11). NC’s Brooke Olson pitched a complete game and Jessica Huffman had three hits.

Kamiakin 14, Mt. Spokane 0: Emiley Moore allowed two hits over five innings and Emily Benson drove in four runs on three hits, including a home run, to lead the host Braves over the Wildcats (12-11).

District 7 2A

East Valley 8, Cheney 7: Jackie Lucas had three hits, including her sixth home run, and four RBIs to lead the host Knights (15-7) over the Blackhawks (12-11) in a loser-out game. EV’s Rachel Wilson added three RBIs. Cheney scored three in the seventh, but the rally ended when a base runner was called out for interference. The tourney continues Saturday at Colville as the No. 1 Indians (19-2) play Deer Park (14-7) at noon for a berth to state. The loser will then meet EV for the second spot to state.

District 7 2B

NW Christian 8, Colfax 4: Hannah Hustad struck out 12 as the Crusaders (19-3) beat the Bulldogs in the title game at Merkel Field. Sara Miller, Mackenzie Gray and Megan Jasmer had two hits each for NWC. NWC plays Tri-Cities Prep (13-7) and Colfax (13-5) faces Garfield-Palouse/Tekoa-Oakesdale (11-9) in the 2B regionals at Pasco on Saturday.

Davenport 18, Springdale 16: Madison Malet went 3 for 5 and threw four innings of relief as the Gorillas (15-8) edged the Chargers to earn the No. 3 seed to regionals. Sofie Halverson had six RBIs for the Gorillas. Senita Lavulavu homered twice for Springdale. Davenport will open against Asotin (12-11).

Springdale 14, Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 3 (5): Falisha Hegel allowed three runs and had four RBIs to lead the Chargers (13-11) past the Broncos (8-11). Bailey Brown had three hits for the Chargers, who earned the No. 4 seed and will open against DeSales (17-3) at regionals.