Bruin sophomore Kiki Barkhimer (4) high-fives Riley Eichner after she hit a double in the third inning against Castle Rock. Barkhimer recorded two RBIs for the Bruins.
Sophomore Kiera Bucher (8) catches a fly ball in the third inning of Columbia High’s 18-2 win over the Castle Rock Rockets on March 25 in White Salmon. In the first game, Bucher went 2-for-3 at the plate with two hits and two RBIs.
Columbia Bruins sophomore Julia Mullinix (15) swings through a pitch against Castle Rock on March 25. The Bruins swept Tuesday’s doubleheader by scores of 18-2 and 23-4.
Bruin sophomore Kiki Barkhimer (4) high-fives Riley Eichner after she hit a double in the third inning against Castle Rock. Barkhimer recorded two RBIs for the Bruins.
Noah Noteboom photo
Bruins pitcher Lola Marti (7) catches a throw from catcher Joella Posini.
Noah Noteboom photo
Sophomore Kiera Bucher (8) catches a fly ball in the third inning of Columbia High’s 18-2 win over the Castle Rock Rockets on March 25 in White Salmon. In the first game, Bucher went 2-for-3 at the plate with two hits and two RBIs.
Noah Noteboom photo
Bruins third baseman Fiona Grabb (6) protects the base against Castle Rock on March 25.
Noah Noteboom photo
Columbia Bruins sophomore Julia Mullinix (15) swings through a pitch against Castle Rock on March 25. The Bruins swept Tuesday’s doubleheader by scores of 18-2 and 23-4.
WHITE SALMON — The Columbia High Bruins (4-0) are off to a great start in their Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Class 1A softball season as they’re undefeated and atop the Trico League standings.
The Bruins, guided by Coach Jesse Bryan, opened their 14-game schedule with a 12-2, five-inning home win March 18 over the Fort Vancouver High Trappers (0-4). Danica Herman pitched a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts to help lead the Bruins to the season-opening victory. Herman has 26 strikeouts and a .444 batting average to help lead the Bruins’ offense. The Bruins won three more Trico League games last week, extending their win streak to four.
“Everything is going really well for us, and we have everyone returning from last year’s team since we didn’t have any seniors,” said Bryan. “I feel like we’re in pretty good position to be a top contender for the league title along with the defending champion Seton Catholic Cougars. We have a pretty solid squad, and everyone is capable of hitting home runs and the entire team is really productive on offense.”
The Bruins’ momentum continued in a March 25 home doubleheader versus the Castle Rock High Rockets (0-5). CHS won a five-inning Game 1, 18-2, followed by a 23-4, five-inning Game 2 victory.
In the first game versus Castle Rock, the Bruins outhit the Rockets, 18-3. CHS was led offensively by Josie Dickey (2-for-2, two RBIs), Halle Kock (2-for-3, four RBIs), Kiera Bucher (2-for-3, two RBIs), Joella Posini (2-for-4, two RBIs), Herman (2-for-2, three RBI) and Madison Russum (1-for-2, two RBIs). Starting pitcher Herman and reliever Lola Marti combined for a total of seven strikeouts.
In the second matchup, the Bruins pounded 24 hits. The Bruins offense was led by Fiona Grabb (2-for-4, three RBIs), Dickey (4-for-5, three RBIs), Kock (2-for-5, two RBIs), Bucher (4-for-4, five RBIs), Posini (2-for-5, three RBIs), Julia Mullinix (2-for-5, two RBIs) and McKena Carlock (4-for-4, two RBIs).
The pitching trio of starter Dickey and relievers Taryn Wallace and eighth-grader Gabby Hogue combined in the pitching circle for six strikeouts, six walks and three hits allowed. “We’ve been playing real solid defense, and we have six really good pitchers,” said Bryan. “We have good leadership with Josie and Halle, and I’m really proud of everyone. They’ve all matured a lot mentally since last year and we just have an outstanding team that is very fun to watch.”
In their last game on March 28 in Vancouver, the Bruins extended their streak to four in a row with a five-inning, 14-2 victory over the Trappers. The Bruins had 16 hits. They were led offensively by Grabb (3-for-4, RBI), Kock (2-for-4, three-RBI, home run), Bucher (2-for-4, two RBI), Mullinix (3-for-4, three RBI), Grace Kennedy (1-for-2, RBI, home run) and Posini (2-for-4, RBI). Herman tossed a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts.
The Bruins are led by a solid group of returning all league players in Dickey, Kennedy, Kock, Russum, Grabb, Posini and Mullinix. The Bruins don’t play any games this week because of spring break in Washington. They’ll play their next contest April 8 at 4 p.m. versus the King’s Way Christian High Knights (0-3) at Columbia High School in White Salmon.
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