College Place softball wins program's first state trophy
RICHLAND - College Place High School's softball team earned the program's first state trophy and CPHS's first team placing at the Class 1A championships over the weekend at Columbia Playfields.
The Hawks (24-4) opened tournament play Friday afternoon with a 2-1 loss to Elma prior to a 4-0, loser-out, under-the-lights victory over SCAC rival Royal. College Place, which won both the league and District 5 titles this season, earned a berth in Saturday's third-place game with a 15-3 triumph over second-seeded Cedar Park Christian.
The Hawks rematched with Elma in the placing game and took fourth after a 14-2 loss.
Elma 14, C-P 2
The Hawks, after a long weekend of softball, "ran out of steam," according to coach Corey Davis.
"The kids were out of gas," Davis said. "We didn't play well defensively and didn't swing the bats well."
C-P 15, Cedar Park Chr. 3
The Hawks' Carli Ray broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the third inning with a three-run home run.
Gracelyn Tonn had two doubles and three RBIs for College Place. Both Rio Hayes and Payton Moore went 3-for-4 while Layla Tonn and Addy Svilich collected two hits apiece for the Hawks.
Pitcher Anna Ortega "battled" throughout the contest despite an uncharacteristic outing, Davis said.
"It was one of the more gutsier performances that she has given us," Davis said. "Every kid in our lineup had a hit."
C-P 4, Royal 0
Ortega threw a three-hitter and struck out 15 against the Knights.
"She was dealing that night," Davis said. "She was perfect through four-and-two-thirds innings."
Moore and Ray belted RBI doubles in the second and third innings, respectively, and Ortega connected for a two-run single in the fifth.
Elma 2, C-P 1
The Hawks' tournament opener was spoiled by offensive misfortune.
"It was one of those games where four of our hits found gloves and three of theirs found grass," Davis said. "We couldn't get the timely hit when we needed it."
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