Ephrata softball takes doubleheader from Grandview

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers softball team went on the road and took two victories in a doubleheader against the Grandview Greyhounds. The Tigers dominated, winning game one 19-0 and game two 9-1. 

In game one, the Tigers started fast with three runs in the first inning. Heading into the fourth, they were up 7-0 before firing off 9 runs, increasing the lead to 16-0. Head coach Heather Wood’s game plan was followed to a tee. 

“Just play our game and make sure we're focusing on the fundamentals that we've been practicing, be patient at the plate, making sure we're taking the right pitch,” she said. 

Pitcher Alexa Durfee had a strong showing, only allowing one walk and striking out two players. Additionally, she did not allow any hits or runs. 

In tandem with Durfee’s play, Jaeda Gonzalez went five for five at bat which allowed the Tigers to run up the score in game one. 

In game two, Olivia Bicondova took over pitching and struck out nine batters. The Tigers racked up stolen bases in this game as well, with aggressive baserunning from Jaemyson Durfee, Kaydence Hector, Dakota Durfee and Kaylynn Spencer who had three of her own. 

Through four innings it was a 3-0 game, but in the fifth Ephrata exploded for six runs increasing the lead to 9-0. 

The doubleheader was an opportunity to build momentum as the Tigers began to make a push for the district and state playoffs.  

“We need to make sure that we play game by game and not event by event. So we need to make sure that we are ready to play both games, we need to not take our opponent lightly, and so we've just got to come out and play our game, and as long as we're playing our game, we're going to be successful,” Wood said. 

The Tigers will play a doubleheader at home against Toppenish on Tuesday.