Knights open state playoffs with win over Klahowya

RICHLAND — No. 8 seed Royal opened up the 1A State Softball Tournament with a win against No. 9 Klahowya on Thursday, defeating the Eagles 10-0 at Columbia Playfields in Richland. 

“I think the girls were confident and really meshing well after four games on Saturday at districts,” Royal Head Coach Lisa Lawrence said. “They came in aggressive and ready to play.”

The Knights picked up 11 hits in the win, led by senior Raegan Wardenaar, junior Lily Delarosa, sophomore Taylor Webb and junior Adalynn Andersen, who all had two hits.

“The girls were hitting the ball all the way through the lineup, which was good to see and I think it builds confidence one hitter after the next when you see that,” Lawrence said. 

The first run of the day came off an RBI single by Webb that put the Knights up 1-0 in the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the third, Wardenaar hit an RBI double and sophomore Jill Allred had an RBI triple, with the sophomore scoring on the same play off a Klahowya error.

Andersen put the Knights up 5-0 with an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth, and a triple by Wardenaar sent home senior Jaya Griffin and Andersen.

“We were scouting the team and saw that they change up their infield against slappers,” Wardenaar said. “The first pitch I pretended I was going to slap, and they changed their whole infield and their outfield was really close. After that, I swung and hit it right by them.”

On the same play, Wardenaar scored on the throw from the Eagle outfield.

“I saw it was way over her, so I just started running as fast as I can,” Wardenaar said. “I’m rounding second and I see (Lawrence), and I thought she was giving me the go sign, so I keep running – the ball comes in and she tags me, and I’m like, ‘Well, at least I got one runner in,’ and then she drops the ball.”

In the circle, Allred pitched all five innings surrendering one hit and two walks while striking out nine batters.

“I knew we needed to win this game, and I told myself at the beginning that every single pitch, I’m going to do it like it’s my last,” Allred said. “I just continued to do that throughout the whole game.”

Royal’s state playoff win comes just five days after the Knights had to play four games on Saturday in the South Central Athletic Conference district tournament; Royal lost to Kiona-Benton in the district semifinals, then defeated Naches Valley, Connell and Kiona-Benton again in the consolation bracket to reach the state tournament.

“When you play games like that I tell the girls, ‘It takes a certain kind of crazy just to pull it together, work hard and get through,’” Lawrence said. “I think that really proved a lot to how much grit they have and how deep they can dig. I think that helps us coming into state, knowing they can get through a day like that.”

Allred, who pitched all four games, threw 480 pitches Saturday for a total of 25 hits and nine walks surrendered, as well as 36 strikeouts on the day.

“I think it was my team pushing me and continuing to help me out on the field,” Allred said. 

With Thursday’s win, Royal advances to the state quarterfinals where they meet No. 1 seed Montesano. The Knights played the Bulldogs in last season’s state championship game as well as earlier this season April 12. 

First pitch is at 1 p.m. in Richland.

“Getting out of the single-elimination and living to see the next day is important to us,” Lawrence said. “Facing Montesano – they’re a rival of ours, and we look forward to the rematch.”

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

Box score

KLA: 0-0-0-0-0 0

ROY: 0-1-3-4-2 10

    Royal junior Lily Delarosa was one of four Knights that had two hits in Thursday’s state tournament win over Klahowya.
  

    Royal senior Randi Allred, left, runs to home plate while senior Jaya Griffin, right, celebrates in the bottom of the second inning.
  

    Royal sophomore Taylor Webb singles to drive in Royal’s first run of a 10-0 win over Klahowya in the 1A State Softball Tournament.