Warden comes up short against Zillah

WARDEN — The Lady Cougars fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first, and that would prove to be the difference in the game as Warden was defeated by Zillah 4-2 Tuesday.

Warden pitcher Ashton Stott found herself in an early jam, as consecutive walks put runners at first and second with no outs. When Warden got a fielders' choice to get the lead runner at third base, and Stott followed by striking out Zillah's cleanup hitter, it appeared Warden would escape the inning unscathed.

However, a two-out single gave Zillah the lead, and a wild pitch allowed Zillah to score again and go up 2-0.

Warden battled throughout the game, entering the bottom of the seventh trailing 4-2.

In the seventh, Kelsey Garner hit a one-out double to center field to get the Warden comeback bid underway.

After a Warden strikeout, Cassandra Kisler hit a two-out single to left field. Garner came around third base and slid for home, but wasn't able to get under the tag of the Zillah catcher.

It was the third time in the game that a Warden base runner was tagged out running the bases.

"We were thrown out three times in a 2-run game," noted Warden coach Wes Richins. "We're trying to be aggressive, but we've got to be a little wiser (running the bases)."

While the game's final out was simply Warden's aggressiveness being countered by a solid defensive play, base running miscues in the first and sixth innings took away scoring chances that may have changed the outcome of the game.

Both times, runners were tagged out a second base for the final out of the inning.

Zillah not only took advantage of Warden's mistakes, they played an excellent game defensively. Other than a throwing error on well-placed Amanda Martin bunt single, the Leopards made play after play in both the infield and the outfield.

"They're experienced and confident," said Richins of the Zillah team that last year eliminated Warden from the state tournament on their way to a third-place finish.

"We played like we were intimidated at times," said Richins. "We've got to get tougher."

Toughness is often something gained with experience. Warden, which starts three freshmen and three sophomores, is in the process of adding experience to the talent on the roster.

"Sometimes, I forget how young we really are," remarked Richins. "We just need to work on some of the little things.

"Our girls all walk away knowing we can do better than we did."

Stott struck out nine batters, while allowing eight hits and five walks. Offensively, Garner was 2-for-3 with a double, and Kisler and Martin also went 2-3 from the plate.