Warden softball downs Kittitas

WARDEN - The Lady Cougars improved to 13-0 in Central Washington 2B Conference play with a 13-3 win over the visiting Coyotes from Kittitas Tuesday.

The win for Warden gives the team a one game lead with two left in the regular season. The Cougars finish on the road with a doubleheader against the Coyotes.

"This was a very important game," coach Wes Richins said. "We had to defend our home field on senior day knowing we have to travel to Kittitas and play two more there."

The Coyotes got on the board first with a run in the top of the first inning. Warden answered back with four in the bottom of the frame to go up 4-1. Kittitas failed to score in the teams next two at bats, but Warden added two in the second and one in the third to break the game open, 7-1.

The Coyotes made a game of it, 7-3 with two in the top of the fourth, but that was all the runs Kittitas could manage. The Cougars put two runs on the board in the bottom of the inning and four in the fifth to win going away. Play was halted after one out as the 10-run went into effect.

"We came out a little shaky, but we were able to work through the pressure," Richins said. "They loaded the bases a couple of times and we had to come up with some big plays on defense and we did, and our bats took care of the rest."

Iris Rodriguez went the distance for Warden, striking out seven Coyotes and walking five. The win improves her record to 6-0 in league play and 9-1 overall.

Rodriguez was also the catalysts on the offensive side of the ball, going 2-for-4 with a two-run home and five RBI.

Tawnie Gonsalez had two hits in two at bats with two doubles and four runs scored. Miexy Gonzalez had two hits in two plate appearances with two doubles, and Haley Yamane was 2-for-3 at the plate.