Heat 10U softball wins NSA state title, 12U finishes fourth
Courtesy photo - Front row (left to right): Reagan Golladay, Jada Hernandez, Emi Pruneda, Jamilex Pruneda, Amaya Erickson, Emma Cox and Genesis Ozuna. Back row (left to right): Coach Randy Wright, Aliza Leinweber, Lovie Franco, Brianna Martinez, Valerie Rodriguez, Sierra Campos and Lauryn Madsen.
Standing (left to right): Viri Gutierrez, Alissa Martinez, Daniela Pruneda, Celety Egia, Alyssa Martinez, Lexie Leinweber, Jadalyn Balderas and Kaylee Erickson. Kneeling: Persayis Garza and Kaya Enriquez. Coaches: Maritza Sanchez and Melissa Gonzalez.
Heat fast-pitch, of Warden, 10U B team went 9-1 this weekend to take the state NSA championship.
17 teams entered and Warden did it the hard way. The Heat won two games on Friday before losing to the Snohomish Shock on Saturday 4-0. The Heat bounced back to beat the Venom.
To win the championship, Warden needed to win six straight games. By the third game, Warden faced Snohomish Shock again and won 11-1, then defeated the Montesano Bulldogs 10-2 to make it to the championship against undefeated PNW Force. Warden had to beat the Force twice.
Warden won the games 8-0 and 10-2.
Out of 38 teams, the Heat 12U placed fourth in the NSA state championships in Tri-Cities.
It was the highest a Heat 12U team had placed in the NSA state tournament. Warden’s 12U squad started the tournament winning its first two games. Warden defeated Warrior Softball and the Washington Angels.
The next day, Heat 12U lost to Acers Orange then rallied to defeat Sno Co Express 04 11-7.
Warden opened Sunday with a win against the Washington Wolfpack 3-0 then beat over the Lady Warriors 4-3. Warden was eliminated after a 13-5 loss to Fury Black.