Skyview softball rallies past River

Just being outside Thursday was a newsworthy event for the Skyview and Columbia River softball teams.

Plus, they got to play a game.

Stuck in gymnasiums and indoor batting cages all spring due to weather, the Storm and Chieftains celebrated with a game that went down to the final at-bat.

Nicole Christensen’s single capped a two-run, seventh-inning rally, giving Skyview a 9-8 non-league victory over rival Columbia River.

Bri Vire, who went 4 for 4, tripled in the tying run, and Christensen drove home Vire with the game-winner.

“I have no words,” Vire said.

No, she wasn’t talking about the ending. Just the fact that they got to play. Two weeks of indoor practice, then rainouts.

“I’m just excited to be outside,” she said.

Technically, the Storm did have one practice out of the gym, but it had nothing to do with softball.

“We just had to get out, so one day we went outside and pulled weeds,” Skyview coach Kim Anthony said.

If this game is any indication, offense has the advantage after the lack of quality practice.

Kayla Moore doubled to lead off the bottom of the seventh, setting up Vire and Christensen.

“I knew my job was to move Kayla over. I had faith Nicole would finish my job,” Vire said.

Christensen said there was no pressure after Vire’s triple tied the game.

“Base hit. That’s all I needed. Hit the ball, put it in play, and Bri would make it home,” Christensen said.

“It was definitely exhilarating. ‘Wow. I did it. I did my job and helped my team.'”

Sydney Brown had a three-run double for the Storm in the fifth inning.

Columbia River scored three in the top of the sixth to take an 8-7 lead. The Chieftains scored three in the fifth, as well, highlighted by a two-run home run from Teaghan Cowles.

When it was over, rivals on the field and friends off of it, said goodbye before leaving the complex.

The Storm and Chieftains had just finished their first game of the season, on a sunny day, outside.

That was a victory.

SKYVIEW 9, COLUMBIA RIVER 8
C. River     000     233     0—8    9    1
Skyview     022     030     2—9    10    1
Columbia River
Pitching — Andrea Hoey 3 IP; Emma Klundt 3+IP, loss. Highlights — Megan Figgins 1-1; Isabelle Parkin 2-4, RBI; Cassie Baldino 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Emma Tucker 1-2; Teaghan Cowles 1-4, HR, 2 RBI; Gabby Collins 1-3, RBI; Cassie Grigg 1-3; Aubrey Jones 1-1.
Skyview
Pitching — Kayla Moore 7 IP, win, 6 Ks. Highlights — Kenzie Shaller 2-4, 3B; Bri Vire 4-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI; Nicole Christensen 2-3, 2 RBI (GW RBI); Sydney Brown 1-3, 2B, 4 RBI; Kayla Moore 1-4, 2B.