Granite Falls avenges lone loss, heads to 2A state softball tournament

Published 11:01 am Saturday, May 22, 2010

SEDRO-WOOLLEY — Granite Falls survived its first-round loss in the 2A District 1 softball tournament and earned a second straight trip to the state playoffs with back-to-back consolation wins Friday at Janicki Fields.

The 2A state tournament is scheduled for May 28-29 at Selah.

But early on Friday, it looked like the Tigers’ postseason future was in jeopardy. Starting pitcher Alyssa Arndt, whose only loss this season was to Sehome in Wednesday’s first round, surrendered four runs in two-thirds of an inning in a winner-to-state, loser-out game against Lynden. Relief pitcher Alicia Amundson took over for Arndt, got out of the first inning and shut out Lynden the rest of the way in a 9-4 victory.

“For a freshman to do what she did in a winner-to-state game … she’s just blessed with mental toughness,” Granite Falls coach Candi Reeves said.

Arndt started the third-place game against Sehome and pitched a one-hitter over five innings as the Tigers avenged their Wednesday loss, their only defeat of the season, with an 11-1 victory.

“That was pretty awesome because we pulled her out in the first inning and she came back strong,” Reeves said. “She was tough. She didn’t get discouraged and she came back and pitched a one-hitter.”

Emily Walbon batted 2-for-3 with four RBI against Lynden and 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI against Sehome.

Sarah Hensley was a triple short of the cycle against Sehome, batting 3-for-3 with a double, home run and four RBI.

Granite Falls 9, Lynden 4

At Janicki Fields

Lynden4000000—492

Granite Falls000702x—9121

Visser and Lomos. Arndt, Amundson (1) and Spencer. WP—Amundson (6-0). LP—Visser. 2B—Poners (L), Weeks (L), Hensley (GF). Records—Lynden not reported. Granite Falls 22-1 overall.

Granite Falls 11, Sehome 1 (5 innings)

At Janicki Fields

Sehome00001— 111

Granite Falls5222x—11142

MacIntyre and Barlow. Arndt and Spencer. WP—Arndt (17-1) LP—MacIntyre. 2B—Hensley (GF), Walbon (GF). HR—Hensley (GF). Records—Sehome not reported. Granite Falls 23-1.