ACH falls into consolation bracket in state softball tournament

YAKIMA — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors fell 5-8 in the quarterfinal bracket to the Colton Wildcats during the 1B State tournament. With this loss, the Warriors continue their state bid in the consolation bracket as they battle for a chance at third place.

“We came out strong as we needed to, got three runs in that first inning, and we shut them down,” said Warriors head coach Faye Butler. “Then I think the nerves and all the excitement got to us, did a couple overthrows and they had a good rally on us.”

The Warriors started off strong with the three runs in the bottom of the first inning to gain a substantial lead over their opponent. ACH maintained this lead until the third inning as Colton tied up the score with three runs of their own.

In the top of the fourth, the Wildcats got on a hot streak as they scored five runs to take a significant lead over the Warriors. As the game went on, ACH worked to get themselves back in and scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth but couldn’t tie the game back up by the end of the seventh inning.

“We held them tight, and we didn’t let them get any more in, and we were battling, but just couldn’t pull through,” said Butler.

When the game was over, Warriors senior Peyton Roberts was given the sportsmanship award.

ACH’s postseason hopes are still alive despite the loss as they head into the consolation bracket Saturday morning. The Warriors will have to win their next two games to make it into the championship round.

Butler said the focus for the Warriors is going to be keeping their mentality stable after a loss and getting ready to head back onto the field and compete.

“It’ll be fun getting over this loss,” Butler said. “It’s a hard loss, but I think right now as we go into it, we have to get back on it and battle.”

The Warriors return to Gateway Sports Complex to play Sunnyside Christian Saturday at 9 a.m.

BOX SCORE

CLTN: 0-0-3-5-0-0-0: 8

ACHW: 3-0-0-0-0-2-0: 5

    Warriors player Mallory Isaak gets ready on first to stop the oncoming runner as the Colton runner behind her makes a run for second base.
  

    ACH player Grace Okamoto gets ready to throw a pitch during the state quarterfinals.
  

    Madison Brink from ACH steps up to bat during the game against Colton in the state tourney.