Royal softball unbeaten with 11-1 win over Okanogan

ROYAL CITY — The Royal High School softball team remained unbeaten after an 11-1 win over Okanogan High School Saturday in Royal City.

Okanogan scored early in the bottom of the first, but the Knights responded in kind, tying the score at 1-1. After taking a 2-1 lead in the second, Royal put some room between themselves and Okanogan with six runs in the third.

A three-run fourth inning clinched the win as the Knights moved to 10-0 with just three games left in the season. Randi Allred finished 3-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs. Chenoa Louie added a double and two RBIs herself on a 2-3 effort.

Makayla Ortega-Sanchez pitched for Royal with just one run allowed on four hits with four strikeouts. Saturday was Senior Day, and Ortega-Sanchez was one of three Royal seniors honored, along with Chenoa Louie and Raylie Wardenaar.

“This is my first time I get to play with my sister and a lot of the team and we have a lot of girls that have worked really hard in practice and earned their spots in varsity,” Ortega-Sanchez said.

She said the underclassmen have been natural leaders, and it helps that there are so many family connections among players.

Makayla and her sister Madison Ortega-Sanchez have split time pitching in their first and lone season playing varsity together. Makayla said it’s been really fun playing with her sister and they get along well.

“It wouldn’t be possible without any other girls behind us,” Ortega-Sanchez said. “It’s been really enjoyable, and I’m sad that this is our last home game. But it’s been so much fun to play with her.”

Royal head coach Amanda Saenz said it was nice seeing her team recognize the need to focus and buckle down after giving up a run in the top of the first. As a coach, she said, it’s nice not having to tell them to flip that switch.

Saenz said her team has done a great job of embracing basics and “textbook” plays, both in practice and in competition.

“It’s really nice to see them get out to do the fundamentals and it shows on the defensive side and it shows hitting, as well,” Saenz said.

After wrapping up the final home game with her seniors on Saturday, Saenz said she knew when they were freshman they were going to be tough as juniors and seniors.

Saenz said her seniors have been the first players to pick up their teammates after a mistake and are a fun, relatable group to be around.

“The senior leadership has been amazing this year; they play at a high level so they expect everyone else to play at a high level, too,” Saenz said.

The Knights will travel for a doubleheader against Wahluke High School Tuesday before closing the season out on Saturday against Warden.