Warden softball run ends too soon at state tourney

YAKIMA - To think, the Warden Lady Cougars were just four outs from a Class 2B state quarterfinal appearance.

Sadly a late run of miscues denied them that chance and one game later Warden was headed back to the Columbia Basin, leaving the Gateway Sports Complex and their state trophy dreams behind with them.

Leading Northwest Christian (Colbert) 4-2 in the top of the sixth inning with two outs, the Lady Cougars' defense succumbed to the pressure and four errors led to six unearned runs as the Crusaders rallied for an 8-4 win on Friday in a 2B first round contest.

Warden then lost their consolation game against Toutle Lake, 7-6, later in the day to be eliminated from the field.

"Warden was able to stave off a Crusaders rally in every inning except one and it did them in," Warden head coach Wes Richins said. "They had runners in scoring position in every inning but one, and it finally bit us hard in the sixth. We kicked the ball around a bit and then it was inevitable with their base-clearing triple." 

The Lady Cougars outhit NW Christian 9-6 but committed seven errors to one and allowed too many walks, allowing the Crusaders a chance to stay within striking range.

"We had a hard time adjusting to strike zone and we walked six batters," Richins said. "Every team at state will beat you if allow runners to get on without earning it."

Iris Rodriguez pitched for Warden.

Warden led 2-0 going into the fifth inning before the Crusaders tied things up at 2-2. But, Warden answered with a Rodriguez triple that brought in two runs in the bottom of the fifth and the Lady Cougars appeared to have momentum reestablished in a 4-2 lead.

That was before the fateful hard-to-get third out of the sixth inning.

Rodriguez finished 3-for-3 with three RBI, Cassondra Platas went 3-for-4 and scored three runs, and Tawnie Gonsalez, Narcy Guerra and Brenda DeLeon all had a hit apiece.

Against Toutle Lake, Warden led 5-1 after four innings before a late rally doomed them.

"We didn't have much time to lick our wounds and had to play a tough Toutle Lake team," Richins said. "They took second in the very tough District 4, with eventual champions Adna, runners up Pe Ell, and third place Mossyrock.  I knew they were tough and they would be a major challenge, but I was proud of the way our girls came out and jumped out on them. It was another game where we had our chances but squandered them."

In the early going, pitcher Platas did a number on the Lady Ducks.

"Sondra did a great job keeping the Lady Ducks off balance and got a lot of pop ups," Richins said. "They don't see a pitcher with her style much in their league, and it gave them some trouble. Our defense also made some great plays behind her"

Defensive miscues once again allowed a Warden opponent back in the game.

Rodriguez hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to 7-6.

"She almost replicated what she did last year when she homered in her last two at bats against Lakeside in the third/fourth place game at state," Richins said. "We had a feeling she was due, we just wished we would have had a runner on in front of her, She had a heck of a tournament,"

Warden entered the tournament a little rusty which may have contributed to their flat play.

"It was unfortunate that we didn't get to play in the district tourney this year since we had to flip a coin for the number one and two seeds," Richins said. "I feel that it really hurt us not having a tune up before state.  Brewster had the same experience we had and they went two and out also, while our fourth-place team won a game in an easier bracket."

The Lady Cougars lose three seniors and have a majority of its roster coming back in 2012.

"All in all, I'm pleased with this great group of girls," Richins said. "They were a fun group and worked hard.  We are going to miss our three seniors, but look forward to coming back Yakima and going further next year."