MOSES LAKE — Clinging to a 2-1 lead Friday, Warden needed only three outs to close out the game and move on in the consolation bracket of the 1A State Softball Tournament. Instead, Warden gave up a pair of runs in the top of the seventh and suddenly found themselves facing elimination.

Responding to the challenge, Warden put together a three-run seventh inning to defeat Okanogan 5-3 and send the Lady Bulldogs home.

On at first and second with one out, Amanda Martin and Kat Martin executed a double steal to move the tying and winning runs into scoring position. Jennifer Whitaker then hit a ground ball that was grabbed cleanly by the Okanogan infielder. With Amanda Martin heading for home and less than two outs, the Okanogan fielder threw to the plate in hopes of cutting down the tying run, but an errant throw allowed Martin to tie the game for the Lady Cougars.

As the ball got past the catcher, Kat Martin moved to third base and Whitaker advanced to second. With the game in the balance and Cassandra Kisler coming to the plate, Warden coach Wes Richins approached his right fielder with a few words of advice.

"I gave her the green light to hit it far," said Richins. "She smiled and said 'okay'. It took all the pressure off."

Kisler took her coach's advice to heart, one-hopping a ground-rule double over the center field fence to give the Lady Cougars a dramatic come-from-behind victory.

Warden moved on to face Cedar Park Christian on Saturday, where a 5-1 loss ended their season. The Lady Cougars gave up five runs in the bottom of the first inning and simply couldn't find the offense to put together a comeback.

The Lady Cougars were held to three hits, two of which came in the fifth inning where Kelsey Garner singled and later scored Warden's lone run of the game.

After a tough first inning against Cedar Park Christian, Ashton Stott was able to silence the Eagles' bats, holding them to a single hit over the final five innings.

Warden opened the tournament with a 13-6 loss to White Pass. After falling behind 6-1 in the top of the third, the Lady Cougars scored three runs to get back in the game. The game got away from Warden when White Pass scored five runs in the fourth inning, and Warden was retired in order in the bottom half of the frame.