Warden fastpitch heads to state
Cutline Warden’s Aliza Leinweber waits at bat for a pitch in Warden’s 17-0 win over Granger on May 17.
IAN BIVONA/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Cutline Warden head coach Randy Wright looks on as senior Kiana Rios celebrates a home run. That trip across the plate was one of many small victories that helped the Lady Cougars on their trip to state competition.
WARDEN — Warden fastpitch head coach Randy Wright has been confident in his team all season, knowing that the Lady Cougars had what it took to make it to state.
Now, after defeating Kittitas 16-1 in the 2B District 5 final, Wright’s team is heading to the 2B state tournament in Yakima this Friday.
“Every year we make a state run, the only thing that stops us is Covid the last couple years,” Wright said with a laugh. “[We] always stay prepared year-round to stay on top of our game. They play summer ball, they put in the extra work. That’s where you make it.”
Wright credits the girls’ bond as teammates as how they’ve had major success throughout the season, citing how when the team bond is strong it makes an impact on the outcome of a season.
“When there’s dissension, when they don’t get along, it’s not as strong,” Wright said. “This group is really strong. They’re having fun out there, and they’re having fun together. That makes them stronger. ”
Warden’s two seniors have helped lead the team to where they are now, Wright said, with Kaya Enriquez and Kiana Rios getting it done offensively and defensively. Rios has an era of .79 and a batting average over .500 and eight home runs, and Enriquez is batting over .700 with 10 home runs.
“I would give the seniors the credits, just because they’re seniors,” Wright said of the players who had stepped up. “But everybody has done real well.”
Altogether, the Lady Cougars have hit 35 home runs on their run to the state tournament and have outscored opponents by over 290 runs.
After storming through the regular season and district tournament, Wright doesn’t plan to shift his coaching far off from what has already brought them success.
“I don’t like to change things up much,” Wright said. “I like them to feel like it’s just another game. You gotta play your game, don’t try to adjust things to somebody else.”
When time comes for first pitch on Friday, Wright believes the Lady Cougars will be ready for action.
“Mentally, they just need to be ready and believe in themselves,” Wright said. “Confidence is a huge thing this time of year, so you just gotta believe in yourself. I don’t think we need to change what we’ve been doing.”
Warden, who earned a bye as the No. 2 seed in the 2B state tournament, will face the winner of No. 7 Liberty (Spangle) and No. 10 Rainier this Friday at 2 p.m. at the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima.
Ian Bivona can be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.
