The Columbia Bruins softball team have qualified for the Trico district playoffs.
Noah Noteboom photoThe defending WIAA Class 1A Trico League softball champion Columbia High Bruins kept their hopes alive to possibly win a second straight title after winning three-out-of-four games last week. But the lone loss, to Seton Catholic, may eventually prevent the Bruins from earning a second straight title.
Columbia has secured a spot in the district playoffs; they’ll play their first game May 15 at Fort Borst Park in Chehalis, followed by a second-round game May 18.
The Bruins (9-2 league, 11-5 overall) had a rough start to last week’s schedule, which included a 10-0 five-inning home loss to the Seton Catholic High Cougars (10-2 league, 13-4 overall) on April 29. The Bruins struggled offensively, as they were outhit 10-2. Sophomore Whitney Gross (1-for-2) and freshman Kiki Barkhimer (1-for-1) had Columbia’s hits.
The Bruins responded to the setback by winning three straight games. They won a May 1 doubleheader, 10-0 and 13-0, over the King’s Way Christian High Knights (0-10 league, 0-14 overall) in Vancouver, followed by a 16-6 home win over the Knights on May 3 for a sweep of the three-game series.
“We still have a slim chance to win the league, but it looks like we’ll probably get second place,” said second-year Coach Jesse Bryan. “It’s all good though because we’re a really young team [seven freshman]. We’re playing pretty well, and I can’t complain. The girls are gaining confidence and are working into a team that will be a force for years to come.”
In their final home game Friday, the Bruins jumped out to an early 9-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a two RBI single by Madison Russum (3-for-3), RBI triples by Josie Dickey (1-for-1) and Halle Kock (2-for-2), and an RBI double by Grace Kennedy (2-for-3).
Aided by a Knights’ error, the Bruins scored five more in the bottom of third, highlighted by Russum’s RBI single, a two RBI double by Joella Posini (3-for-3, two RBI), and an RBI single by Lola Marti (2-for-2). The Bruins’ scoring surge extended their lead to 15-3 and the contest was shortened to five innings via the mercy rule. The Bruins recorded a season-high 20 hits.
In the May 1 doubleheader, the Bruins’ 10-hit offensive attack helped propel them to the Game 1 victory. Mullinix (3-for-4), Posini (2-for-2, RBI), Gross (2-for-4, RBI), and Kennedy (2-for-4, RBI) led the Bruin offense. Marti had a solid pitching performance, as she tossed a two-hitter with three strikeouts.
In Game 2, freshman Danica Herman hurled a two-hitter with eight strikeouts to help lead the Bruins to the win. The Bruins were led offensively by Barkhimer (1-for-3, three RBI), Kock (1-for-2, RBI), Kiera Bucher (2-for-4, RBI) and Fionna Grabb (2-for-3, RBI).
The Bruins faced the La Center High Wildcats (9-2 league, 11-5 overall) in a key road double-header May 7 to conclude the regular season.
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