Othello holds Connell scoreless for victory

OTHELLO — The Lady Huskies had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the fifth inning Thursday but were forced to wait until the bottom of the seventh to get the job done 1-0.

With two outs on the board and the game looking to be headed for extra innings, Connell walked Jenna Rosenberg in the bottom of the seventh.

Pitcher Nina Gonzalez lined up at the plate with one runner on and swung for a strike.

Connell's catcher threw to first for a tag out play that missed its mark. As the toss sailed down the right field line, Rosenberg rounded second and third looking toward home.

Connell's outfield threw for the plate and missed again allowing Rosenberg to score the only run of the game and earn the win for the Lady Huskies.

"I thought she was going to stop at second," said Othello head coach Rudy Ochoa. "I was like 'What is she doing?' until I looked back and saw them (Connell) chasing the ball."

In the bottom of the fifth Othello tried to squeeze a run in with the bases loaded.

Bede Villegas was the lead off batter for the Lady Huskies hitting a loop single to second and advanced on a line drive right at Connell's pitcher by Donna Franco.

With two runners on and no outs, Kristine Valdez lined up and earned a bunt single to load the bases for Othello.

Rosenberg then hit a infield single but couldn't manufacture the run as Villegas was tagged out at the plate for the force. Then Gonzalez popped out for the Lady Huskies to make it a two out situation.

Rachel Mohs came to bat and struck out, following the last strike all the way after falling behind in the count and battling back to 2-and-2.

"I hate having the bases loaded," Ochoa said. "I was hoping for a double play or an out."

Othello topped Connell six hits to one and will not play again until next Thursday when they will face either Ephrata or Cascade depending upon the outcome of Saturday's district action.