Prairie softball advances to 3A state semifinals

LACEY – Taylor Bussey had a perfect day at the plate and freshman Bridget Guiney was the big hero of the first game as the Prairie girls softball reached the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament on Friday.

Prairie will play University of Spokane at 9 a.m. Saturday in the semifinals. A win and the Falcons would face either Kamiakin of Kennewick or Meadowdale of Lynnwood for the championship at 1:30 p.m.

Guiney hit a three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to give Prairie a 7-4 victory over Mountlake Terrace in Friday morning’s first-round game at the Regional Athletic Complex. The Hawks tied the score at 4-4 with a run in the top of the seventh.

In an afternoon quarterfinal, Bussey hit two solo home runs and Jamie Phares added a two-run shot to send the Falcons over Juanita of Kirkland 5-3.

On the day, Bussey was 4 for 4 with a double, three home runs and four walks. Pitcher Irene McGuire earned the wins in both games.

The Falcons did suffer a setback when leadoff batter Nicole O’Haver rolled her ankle in the first-round game and then left the quarterfinal matchup early after being hit in the helmet with a thrown ball. Her status for Saturday’s game is uncertain.