Lady Cougars ease into SCAC semifinals

Third-inning eruption propels Warden closer to state tournament berth

WARDEN — The Warden Lady Cougars used a 5-run third inning to pull away from the Granger Spartans as they moved into the semifinals of the SCAC District Softball Tournament with an 8-0 victory Thursday.

Ashton Stott and Randi Wright combined to strike out 13 Granger batters, allowing only three hits over seven innings, and the Warden defense made nearly every play necessary to keep Granger off the base paths.

"What I'm impressed with is our defense," said Warden coach Wes Richins. "Our pitching was really strong today."

In the third inning, Warden took advantage of three Grangers errors and a wild pitch to tally five runs on just three base hits. Jenny Guerra led off the inning with a slicing double down the right field line that carried just beyond the reach of the Spartans' right fielder. Guerra went to third on a passed ball, then came home when Jen Whitaker's grounder to the second baseman was misplayed for the error.

Now leading 2-0, Whitaker used her aggressiveness on the base paths to get the Lady Cougars another run. Whitaker stole second base, advanced to third on a putout at first base, and then baited Granger into their second error of the inning. After reaching third, Whitaker rounded the base and stopped some 15 feet down the line toward home, daring the Granger first baseman to throw across the diamond for a play at third.

Granger's fielder did just that, sailing the toss past third and allowing Whitaker to trot in for a 3-0 Warden lead.

An Amanda Martin single followed by a Kat Martin double pushed the score to 4-0.

Kacey Kisler, in to run for Kat Martin at second base, scored on a two-base throwing error to make it 5-0. A stolen base and a wild pitch later, the Cougars were sitting on a 6-0 lead.

"I think we were able to take advantage of what they gave us," said Richins. "We just had some good-timed hits and took advantage of misplayed balls."

While Warden's third inning was something to remember for the Lady Cougar fans in attendance, the fourth inning may turn out to be one with lingering negative effects on Warden.

In the bottom of the fourth, Guerra used her second double of the game and a sacrifice bunt to get over to third base with one out.

Guerra then attempted to score on Whitaker's groundout to the third baseman, but the throw to the plate came in well ahead of the Warden base runner. Guerra pulled up short of the Granger catcher, and in the process of slowing down lightly bumped the catcher as she was tagged out.

After initially making no call other than to signal the out at the plate, the home plate umpire eventually called Richins onto the field to notify the Warden coach that Guerra was being ejected from the contest. Not only did Guerra have to sit out for the remainder of the Granger contest, she will have to miss Warden's SCAC district semifinal game this Saturday.

While Richins felt the ruling to toss Guerra out of the game was questionable, he took advantage of the situation to motivate his team.

"We tried to use that as a rallying point," said the Warden coach.

Starting pitcher Ashton Stott was moved to first base to replace Guerra, with Randi Wright stepping in for Stott at pitcher.

Wright helped lead the Warden's emotional rally, striking out the side in the top of the fifth inning and baffling the Granger hitters with a wicked change-up through the rest of the contest.

With the victory, Warden moves on to face the winner of the Zillah/Kiona-Benton game this Saturday at 11 a.m. The game, along with the remainder of the SCAC District Tournament, will be played at Gateway Park in Yakima.

Last Thursday, Warden ended its regular season by beating the Wahluke Warriors 22-0 and 17-0. Stott threw a no-hitter in the first game, and Wright pitched a one-hitter in the second game. Warden cranked out 28 hits in the doubleheader, with a Kat Martin grandslam and a 4 for 6 performance by Whitaker highlighting the afternoon. Defensively, the Lady Cougars committed just one error against Wahluke.