Knights open season with 11-0 win over Selah

ROYAL CITY — The Knights opened the 2024 season with a double-digit defeat of Selah, winning 11-0 in five innings. 

Royal scored seven runs off of six hits in the bottom of the third inning to grow its earlier 1-0 lead.

“It was a great start to the year and a beautiful day, so we really lucked out with the weather,” Royal head coach Lisa Lawrence said. “Selah is a pretty competitive team — they’ve got few girls out with injuries right now, but we played a great game.”

Senior Randi Allred drove in Royal’s first run of the season, sending home senior Raegen Wardenaar on an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning. 

“It was nice to get one on the board before them,” Lawrence said. “They ended up not scoring, but it’s always good to score first. That’s a big thing we aim for. With our senior catcher, Randi Allred, getting that hit, it was a double and her timing was great.”

After a scoreless second inning, the Knights faced two outs through the first two at-bats in the bottom of the third: then, the bats came alive.

First, sophomore Jill Allred singled on a line drive to left field; then Randi got on base with a double, with junior Lily Delarosa sending the pair home on a triple to push the lead to 3-0. A single by sophomore Taylor Webb sent home Delarosa for another run, with Webb and senior Jaya Griffin later scoring on wild pitches. Wardenaar closed out the scoring barrage with an RBI single during the next at-bat.

“Most of the girls getting at least one hit, that just helps build confidence early in the season and lets us know what we’re working with and what things we can work on further,” Lawrence said. “It’s nice when everyone gets in the action.”

Royal added additional runs in the bottom of the fourth on RBI by Jill and Delarosa, the latter of whom scored the game’s final run by reaching home on a wild pitch.

Wardenaar, Jill , Randi  and Delarosa all tied for a team-high in hits, while Delarosa led the Knights with three RBI. 

In the circle, Jill pitched all five innings Tuesday afternoon, surrendering one hit, four walks and striking out 12 batters. 

“She was hitting her spot, she had great spin and really had a great presence in the circle,” Lawrence said. “I think that went a long way to her success.”

Royal hosts Deer Park and Riverside for a doubleheader Saturday, with games starting at 11 a.m.

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

Box Score

SEL: 0-0-0-0-0 0

ROY: 1-0-7-3-X 11

    Royal junior Lily Delarosa led the Knights with three RBI in Tuesday’s win over Selah.