Royal, Connell fastpitch doubleheader extended

ROYAL CITY — Royal and Connell are so evenly matched in fastpitch that a doubleheader started Friday at Connell had to be extended to Monday for a conclusion.

Connell won the first game, 15-13, in eight barn-burning innings. Then the teams got into another battle royal that Royal was leading, 16-14, when the sun went down.

That game re-started Monday in the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded and two outs for Connell. It was too late for Sun Tribune press time.

Connell won the first game by pitching around McDarra VonStein, one of Royal’s best hitters. She led off the game with a home run and never saw another good pitch.

“The girls played a tough game,” Coach Robyn Valdez said.

Ashley Valle had two doubles and three runs batted in. Sophía Rodríguez went 4-5 with a double.

“We struggled with errors that cost us a few runs and had to battle through more innings than necessary,” Valdez said.

The second game was more high-scoring than the first. The teams combined for 30 runs in four and a half innings.

This time, the Eagles put the ball in locations where VonStein could get to it. She went 3-3 with a grand slam through the second inning. Ali Rodriguez went 3-3, and Bianca Selene Castellon went 2-2.

“I have to acknowledge Sam Dunn for pitching 13 awesome innings and fighting through the most batters I’ve seen in a double header in my time here,” Valdez said.

Royal’s record overall at week’s end was 6-1 with one game to be concluded. Other than the Connell twin bill, the Knights won six other games.

“It’s been a great couple weeks for RHS Fastpitch,” Valdez said.

The Knights stared with a couple wins over Newport. On a field with no fence there were multiple home runs and extra base hits.

Saturday Royal faced Goldendale and brought home another set of wins. The girls also had their first double play of the season.

Royal scored two wins against the Wahluke Warriors, scoring 48 total points. A major highlight was a grand slam home run by VonStein