Warden routs River View, finishes 6-0 against SCAC East
Warden's Ashlyn Yamane runs to first base as two River View players struggle to field her bunt.
WARDEN — At this rate, the South Central Athletic Conference might not let Warden rejoin next year.
Since dropping down to Class 2B, Warden has beat up its old league rivals to the tune of 12 wins and zero losses over two seasons. The last two victories came Wednesday against River View 16-0 and 18-4. This season, Warden has outscored its old compatriots — River View, Royal and Connell — 103-13.
“We just want to make sure we don’t want to peak too early,” head coach Wes Richins said. “We want to continue to improve and get stronger... I’m just really proud of the girls’ effort.”
Plentiful offense paired with dominant pitching powered the Cougars to their Game 1 win. Aaliyah Enriquez threw a perfect game with nine strikeouts. The pedestrian — for Enriquez — strikeout total meant some stellar defense was played to keep perfection intact.
“It was a good defensive effort,” Richins said. “You can’t do that without good defense going on. She’s pitching really well. She pitched really well the last two days and with no rest in the heat and stuff I’m really proud of all the girls’ perseverance.”
Typically off on Wednesdays, Warden (4-0, 12-0) made up its doubleheader with River View after the first set of games was rained out. That meant four games in two days during the hottest days of the year so far — situations that mimic the format of the state tournament.
“Thats exactly what I told the girls,” Richins said. “In May we expect to be playing in the same type of situation — against good hitting teams where you’ve got to bring it every game. You can’t take a game, an inning or an at bat off. You’ve got to stay focused and play through heat, injuries, whatever. Survive and advance, that’s what it’s about.”
Brenna and Bailey Whitney, Allycia Gonzales and Lexi Gonzalez had multi-hit games in the opener.
In the nightcap, the rout started early.
Warden plated eight runs in the first inning, led by Brenna Whitney’s three-run triple. Gonzalez, Amanda Contreras, Julianna Pruneda, Gonzalez and Bailey Whitney also drove in runs.
Pruneda had two more RBI singles and a double later in the game.
“She’s kind of an RBI queen,” Richins said. “The base runners are ahead of her and she usually hits it hard.”
Gonzales had a two-run single in the fourth inning and finished 3-for-4. Jizelle Pruneda went the distance from the circle in Game 2.
Moses Lake 11, Eastmont 0
EAST WENATCHEE — In a battle between Columbia Basin Big Nine unbeatens, Moses Lake bested Eastmont 11-0.
Marnie Skinner pitched a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts.
“I was real excited about it,” head coach Dave Gregory said. “When you’ve got a stud pitcher it’s real easy to coach.”
Moses Lake (10-0, 10-1) broke the game open with eight runs in the second inning.
College baseball
Big Bend splits with Blue Mountain
PENDLETON, Ore. — Big Bend settled for a split on the road against Blue Mountain.
Big Bend’s (8-6, 19-7) bullpen was roughed up in the opener, allowing 10 runs in the seventh inning in an 11-3 loss. The Vikings held a 3-1 lead before the seventh-inning eruption.
Blake Springer and Tyler Barber had RBI doubles. Blue Mountain’s Ben Ross was 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI.
The pitching reemerged for the Vikings in Game 2. Chase Tunstall pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and one run. Bryan Wulf and Ryan Grening drove in two runs each for the Vikings, who won 6-1.