MUKILTEO — It took a few extra innings — and persevering through a little rain — but the Cascade softball team’s hit parade in the top of the 10th inning propelled the Bruins to an 11-7 Wesco 4A South victory over Kamiak Friday afternoon in a 10-inning game at Kamiak High School.
The win gives Cascade the conference’s fourth and final berth in the District 1 tournament that begins on May 20.
“It was a great effort,” said Cascade assistant coach Lauren O’Dell, who is filling in while Bruins head coach Kelly Ross is out of town. “The girls stuck with it. They really wanted it.”
After Cascade put up four runs in the top of the third inning, Kamiak scored four runs of its own to retake the lead from the Bruins. Cascade continued to chip away at the Knights’ lead, with the Bruins tying the score at 7-7 on an RBI double by Chloe McIntosh in the top of the sixth.
Both teams remained scoreless until Cascade (5-8 league, 8-9 overall) tallied four runs on seven hits in the top half of the 10th. Kamiak got its first two runners on base in the bottom half of the inning, before Bruins pitcher Karissa Johnson retired the next three batters to clinch the victory.
“It’s awesome. Getting this win makes the girls realize we can do anything as long as we stay motivated,” O’Dell said. “This momentum will be awesome. … It’s all about being positive. No matter what happens in the field, as long as everyone stays positive it will work itself out.”
McIntosh, Cascade’s starting pitcher, batted 4-for-6 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored. Paige Miller (3-for-6) had an RBI and scored two runs and Sage Anderson added three hits for the Bruins, who tallied 18 in the game.
“Chloe did a great job. She had some great hits. I think everybody had some great hits. I lost track,” O’Dell said with a laugh. “One little thing turned into a big thing. The girls picked each other up and when one was on the base the girl up to bat knew it was her turn to get that other girl around.”
Joey Blackshear hit a two-run triple and Jess Lambourn batted 3-for-6 with two runs scored for Kamiak (3-10, 6-12). Lambourn also pitched the entire game for the Knights.
“They have some great batters,” O’Dell said. “I think they’re top four (hitters in the lineup) were just hitting it hard. They’re a great team.”
At Kamiak H.S.
Cascade0041110004—11183
Kamiak0340000000—7116
Chloe McIntosh, Karissa Johnson (5) and Whitney Harris. Jess Lambourn and Antionette Watson. WP—Johnson. LP—Lambourn. 2B—Jazmine Taylor (C), McIntosh (C) 2, Kayla Zabel (C), Katie Spencer (K), Jordyn August (K). 3B—Joey Blackshear (K). Records—Cascade 5-8 league, 8-9 overall. Kamiak 3-10, 6-12.
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