Tigers fall to Woodland on day two of state tourney

EPHRATA – The Tigers softball team fell to the Woodland Beavers 6-2 on day two of states at Carlon Park. On Friday, they lost in the first round to the Olympic Trojans and were bumped to the consolation bracket.  

“They have rallied every game, they never said die,” head coach Heather Wood said.  

Against Olympic, the Tigers were able to hang with them most of the game, even tying the game at three apiece in the top of the fifth inning. However, Olympic was able to sound off two home runs that allotted them seven runs. They ran away with the game from there with a final score of 12-4.  

“Just didn't seem to find the rhythm, didn't get our hits, and then we just kind of had a couple down innings and struggled with a little bit more of the pitching, and we let them get into it with some home runs,” Wood said.  

Game 2 

The Tigers would move on to play the Kingston Buccaneers in their first consolation game. Kingston would make the Tigers earn it this game as they traded the lead several times throughout. After the first inning, the score was 3-2, Ephrata.  

Heading into the top of the third, the Tigers held a 4-2 lead before Kingston scored three runs of their own and took a one-point lead. After the fourth inning, the Tigers regained the lead at 7-6, but Kingston would tie the game in the top of the fifth.  

However, the Tigers responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning and stretched their score to 12. A final comeback attempt made by Kingston with three runs would not be enough and the Tigers secured the win 13-10.  

Home runs by Olivia Bicondova, Jaemyson Durfee, and Kaydence Hector propelled the Tigers to victory in addition to their contributions on defense. Hector also had five RBIs while Durfee accounted for four.  

“The girls were seeing the ball a lot better, and they were hitting hard hit balls, not pop flies, they weren't just connecting, they were they were squaring it up and putting some work on the other team,” Wood said.  

Game 3 

The Tigers then moved on to play their third game of the day against the Archbishop Murphy Wildcats. Both teams opened the game with two runs in the first inning. What appeared to be another competitive game brewing soon turned into the Tigers game.  

Heading into the top of the fifth inning, the Tigers were tied at four apiece. However, they would score four runs to take a commanding 8-4 lead. The Tigers' defense would stay on top of Archbishop, forcing them to go scoreless in the final two innings while they solidified their win with two runs each of those innings.  

“They've been doing it really well all season, they figured out the pitchers, and when the pitchers aren't paying attention, and they take advantage of it,” Wood said.  

Game 4 

Saturday, the Tigers played the Woodland Beavers. The momentum they built on Friday did not carry over as Woodland jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after three innings while the Tigers remained scoreless.  

The Tigers would not score a run until the sixth inning, when Kaydence Hector hit a home run to get her team their first point of the day.  

“I've been saying this whole tournament, I think pitchers are kind of not thinking when they throw me a change-up, and that's what she threw me and I was like, ‘I got to step up big for our team,’ and it was a good moment,” Hector said.  

However, the Tigers would only be able to score one more run before Woodland would secure the victory in the seventh inning.  

Season summary 

With the Tigers' loss, their season has come to an end. Despite falling short of a state championship, a lot of their goals were met, according to Wood and Hector.  

“Definitely our goal at the beginning of the season was to make it to the second day of state, and I'm very proud of our team for doing that. Our coach, as the years she's been coaching, she's never made it to the second day, so that was a big accomplishment for her, and we were very proud of that,” Hector said.  

The Tigers shared an emotional huddle after the game, where coaches shared heartfelt words.  

“It's not just the seniors, it's the players in general. When you spend three hours a day with them, six days a week, you develop a bond, and it's a bond that you live with for the rest of your life,” Wood said.  

Box Scores:  

Game 1
EPHR: 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 4
OLYM: 0 0 0 3 7 2 *  12 

Game 2:
KING: 2 0 3 1 1 3 0 10
EPHR: 3 1 0 3 5 1 *   13 

Game 3:
EPHR: 2 1 1 0 4 2 2 12
ARCH: 2 0 1 1 0 0 0   4 

Game 4:
EPHR: 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2
WOOD: 2 0 1 0 2 1 *  6 

    Olivia Bicondova pitches for the Tigers against Kingston. Bicondova hit a home run for the Tigers that contributed to their win over Kingston.
  

    Jaeda Gonzalez catches the ball to out an Olympic player at first base. Gonzalez also contributed on offense, getting on base and stealing more.
  

    Olivia Bicondova strikes the ball at bat to the outfield. Bicondova got on base four times against Olympic.
  

    Kaydence Hector successfully stole third base against Kingston. Hector stole several bases for the Tiger offense in their two-day appearance at states.
  

    Jaemyson Durfee preparing for the ball to reach third base against Woodland. Durfee accounted for multiple RBIs against Kingston and Archbishop Murphy on day on of the state tournaments.