Three big wins get Woodland softball third place

The Woodland softball team completed the best possible rebound from a difficult start to the state tournament.

The Beavers posted three convincing wins on Saturday to earn the third-place trophy in the Class 1A state tournament at the Columbia Playfields in Richland.

Woodland whipped Zillah 14-0 in five innings in its first Saturday game. The Beavers followed with a 10-0 win in six innings over Connell to clinch a trophy.

In the game for third place, Woodland beat District 4 rival Hoquiam, 9-4.

Woodland lost its tournament opener on Friday to Lakeside on a game-ending grand slam. The Beavers then won two loser-out games on Friday and three on Saturday.

After its dramatic win over Woodland, Lakeside lost its next two games and did not place in the tournament.

This is the fourth time Woodland softball has won a state tournament trophy. Last season the Beavers finished second at the 1A state tournament and in 2010 they won the state 2A championship and in 2009 they took third place at the Class 2A state tournament.