Warden sweeps Cle Elum-Roslyn, completes undefeated season

WARDEN — Warden softball had a novel idea before its season started.

“We just came into the season and said we don’t want to lose,” second baseman Allycia Gonzales said.

Simple enough.

That proclamation became a reality Thursday after a sweep of Cle Elum-Roslyn. Aaliyah Enriquez hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning of Game 1 en route to a 6-1 final and a seven-run third inning in Game 2 keyed a 13-1 win.

A school record 20-0.

“In the back of my mind I thought we could go undefeated in league,” head coach Wes Richins said. “I knew we had 10 non-league games that were pretty tough 1A schools and it’s hard with injuries and stuff like that, it’s hard to gauge how we’d do. But I thought we were going to be in every game. I didn’t think anyone was going to be able to beat us handily... I’m really happy for the girls. They really worked hard. They deserve this, but they’re not done. They’re not satisfied, really.

“They want to go as far as we can.”

Enriquez pitched both games — gearing up for a postseason that features several back-to-backs — totaling 13 strikeouts in the doubleheader.

“We wanted her to pitch a little bit more as we’re getting into the postseason,” Richins said. “We’ve just got to get into postseason shape and so we haven’t been challenged a lot. We’ve had a lot of short games in our league so this was really good for us and they’re a quality team.”

The Warriors threatened to blemish the Cougars’ (10-0, 20-0) record in the opener, trailing by just two runs in the sixth inning. However, Enriquez helped her own cause with a three-run jack. Amanda Contreras also smacked a RBI double.

Warden’s offense began to hum in the second game as the team scored in all four innings.

After coming up clutch late in Game 1, Enriquez began the rally in Game 2 with a two-run double in the first inning. Contreras added a RBI single that whizzed over the head of Cle Elum’s second baseman into right field.

In the third inning, Bailey Whitney singled home Brenna Whitney and later scored on a passed ball, stretching the lead to 5-0.

However, five runs was only the appetizer. The entrée arrived in the third inning.

RBI singles by Gonzales and Lexy Gonzalez highlighted a seven-run eruption.

“Even though we were struggling in the first game we came up and opened a can,” Gonzales said.

A 12-run cushion was more than enough for Enriquez, who mixed between an over-powering fastball and deft change-up.

“The first game I had difficulties with it (the change-up) and I couldn’t get it to where I wanted it,” she said. “So finally it just clicked after just having to keep throwing it and throwing it and finally I figured out my release point.”

Next, Warden will head north to Ephrata High School for the District 6 2B Softball Tournament on Saturday. The Cougars will begin their title defense at 1 p.m. against Oroville, the No. 4 seed from the North.

“We are very excited,” Enriquez said. “We’re just going to keep doing what we’ve been doing and stay within ourselves and just go and play the game.”

Ephrata sweeps Toppenish, clinches district berth

EPHRATA — Ephrata nailed down the final district tournament berth with a pair of wins against Toppenish 16-1 and 15-0.

The Tigers scored eight runs in the second inning of Game 1, powered by Ashlynd Allen-White’s three doubles. Mikayla Wood gave up one hit and struck out four.

Ephrata (7-11, 7-13) used another big second inning to break open Game 2, scoring 11 runs. Rebecca Helsley was 3-for-3 with three doubles and Paige Davis tripled.

Ephrata opens the district tournament May 17 at Selah.

Boys soccer

Quincy edged by Grandview for district title

GRANDVIEW — Quincy missed its final penalty kick, losing a shootout to Grandview in the district championship 2-1.

“It was a very physical battle,” head coach Arturo Guerrero said. “Both teams didn’t give up much.”

Fredy Ruiz’s header in the 15th minute put the Jacks ahead 1-0. The Greyhounds evened the game in the second half and both teams were deadlocked through two overtimes.

Grandview made all five of its attempts in the shootout, while Quincy made four.

“We played our hearts out,” Guerrero said.

Despite the loss, Quincy qualified for the state tournament and will play the winner of Pullman and East Valley’s game next week.

Tennis

Othello litters CWAC all-league tennis teams

Othello had seven selections to the CWAC all-league tennis teams and Robert Pruneda was named Coach of the Year.

Breann Tovar and Ruby Palimino were second team and honorable mention, respective, for girls singles. Kylee Hawley-Zoee Roylance was first team for girls doubles and Tanaya Anderson-Katie Walker was honorable mention.

Diego Villarreal and Jonathan Deleon were second team and honorable mention, respectively, for boys singles.

Collin Freeman-Kyler Villarreal was first team in boys doubles.

Ephrata had three selections: Teighan Moore, Garner Sears and Tate Sircin-Derek Paynter. Moore and Sears were first team for girls and boys singles, respectively. Sircin-Paynter was second team for boys singles.

Rachel Faw-Natalie Thomsen made second team in girls doubles and Gunnar Petersen-Gonzalo Guerrero was second team in boys doubles for Quincy. Quincy also shared the boys team sportsmanship award with Grandview.