U-Hi clinches state softball berth, but there is unfinished business

Two state berths were determined at the 4A regional softball tournament on Saturday, but the last 4A state berth and the regional championship are yet to be determined.

Rain caused play to be suspended on Saturday at University High School with the regional championship and third-place games postponed to Monday at 4 p.m.

The regional championship game may not be played. If U-Hi and Richland are both considered No. 1 seeds, the Bombers will not make the trip back to Spokane to face University on Monday.

“I’m concerned about wear and tear and kids getting tired,” Richland head coach Casey Emery said. “It’s definitely a disadvantage for us to come back up here on Monday if we do play it.”

Emery said he expects to find out soon whether the Titans and Bombers will share the region’s No. 1 seed.

Both the Bombers and Titans clinched 4A state berths with wins on Saturday. Richland knocked off Central Valley 6-0 and U-Hi romped over Walla Walla 11-4 to advance to the state championships at Dwight Merkel Field in Spokane next weekend. The Bears and Blue Devils were the No. 1 seeds out of the Greater Spokane League and Mid-Columbia Conference, respectively.

The Bombers got to CV starter Kelsey Gumm early in their semifinal game, scoring all six runs in the first two innings. Stephanie Merwin hit a two-RBI single in the first inning and a two-RBI triple in the second.

Richland starter Brandi Andrews pitched the shutout

University gave Walla Walla its third loss of the season on the other field, scoring 11 runs in the first three innings to stun the Blue Devils. Gracie Dwyer drove in four runs and hit two home runs for the Titans in the win.

U-Hi coach Jon Schuh said he isn’t surprised by the ease the Titans knocked off the Blue Devils. Upsets are common this time of year.

“In the playoffs, it’s a totally new season,” Schuh said. “When you’re not familiar with the teams, then anything can happen.”