Warden finishes third at tourney

by Derrick Pacheco<br
| May 12, 2009 9:00 PM

ROYAL CITY — The Warden fastpitch softball team traveled to Royal City over the weekend to participate in the Royal softball tournament and the Cougars returned with a third-place finish.

The Cougars dropped their first game 4-3 to runner-up Lynden Christian before rallying for wins over Evergreen Lutheran (34-0) and Royal (10-0) to wrap up third place.

Warden junior pitcher Randi Wright kept the Cougars alive in the game with Lynden Christian, holding the Lyncs to just four runs on six hits.

Although the Cougars dropped their tournament opener, Warden rolled in their next two contents to cruise to third place.

Warden left no doubt in their next game with Evergreen Lutheran. The Cougars pounced on Evergreen Lutheran with eight runs in the top of the first inning and Warden never looked back.

Warden starting pitcher Jenny Guerra kept Evergreen Lutheran off balance throughout the contest, holding the Eagles to just two hits in Warden’s 34-0 victory.

Warden head coach Wes Richins said Guerra pitched well in the win over Evergreen Lutheran.

“She did really well,” he said. “She pitched a two-hitter.”

Sandra Castareno went 6-for-6 at the plate in Warden’s win over Evergreen Lutheran with a 3-run home run. Wright went 3-for-6 at the plate in the second game with a triple, a grand slam home run and seven RBIs.

Warden’s Amanda Martinez fell a single short of the cycle in game two. She finished the contest 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, and a home run.

After the Cougars rolled past Evergreen Lutheran, Warden played the Royal Knights in their final contest of the tournament.

Wright pitched a complete-game shutout against Royal, holding the Knights to just two hits. Senior Cassandra Kisler went 4-for-4 while driving in three runs. Kaitlyn Yamane went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and the Cougars knocked off the Knights 10-0.

The Knights fell in their tournament opener to South Central Athletic Conference rival Connell 8-2. Royal’s only hit against the Eagles came when senior Tawnee Gonzales doubled for the Knights.