Evergreen’s bats came alive late, rallying the Plainsmen from a four-run deficit to beat Auburn-Riverside 8-6 to clinch a berth in the 3A state tournament with a win at the bi-district tournament in Lacey.
Evergreen trailed 6-2 after four innings, but got within 6-4 in the fifth on a two-base error.
In the sixth, Noelle Kurkiken’s RBI single and McKayla White’s two-run double put Evergreen up 7-6. The Plainsmen would add an insurance run in the seventh.
Delaney Bollman pitched a complete game for Evergreen. She got the final three outs in the seventh after a leadoff single.
Kadence Burleson hit two home runs and White double, homered and drove in three runs as Evergreen opened its day with a 15-5 rout of Lakes in a loser-out game at the Regional Athletic Complex, which will host the state tournament next week.
HERITAGE TAKES THIRD: Heritage rallied for a six-run deficit to beat Yelm 13-7 to capture third place at the 3A bi-district tournament.
The Timberwolves, who secured a state berth with two wins Thursday in Lacey, found themselves down 7-1 after two innings.
But Heritage tallied five runs in the third on a two-run double by Charliana Lizama and RBI singles by Hailey Dowell and Cayleigh White.
Heritage tied the game 7-7 with a run in the fourth, then took a 10-7 lead with three in the fifth.
A three-run home run by Jaila Ellis capped the scoring in the seventh.
Ellis went 3 for 4 with a double, homer and four RBI. Lizama was 4 for 4 with a double and two RBI.
Heritage was held to three hits in a 4-0 loss to Bonney Lake in a semifinal earlier Saturday.
PRAIRIE ELIMINATED: Prairie’s bid to reach state fell short in a 4-3 loss to Auburn-Riverside in a loser-out game.
Prairie jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a Nae Stalcup sacrifice fly in the first and a Jade Hayslip home run in the second. But Auburn-Riverside to take a 4-2 lead after three innings.
Prairie cut the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth with a two-out rally, but the Falcons left the bases loaded.
