Warden softball back from State Tournament

Bob Kirkpatrick | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 7 months AGO

The Warden Cougars softball team was rewarded for an outstanding season with seven players named to the 2013 1A SCAC-East All-League Team. Pictured in the top row from left are Narcy Guerra (Second-Team), Bianca Hernandez (First-Team), Iris Rodriguez (First-Team) and Brenda DeLeon (Second Team. Bottom row from left are Haley Yamane (First-Team), Lexy Pruneda (Second Team), and Aaliyah Enriquez (First-Team).

RICHLAND - After finishing second in 1A SCAC East league play with a 10-2 record and second at the district tournament, Warden looked to be one of the better teams heading into the State Softball Tournament at the Columbia Playfield in Richland May 24 and 25.

But a first round 19-6 loss to Lakeside Friday knocked the Cougars out of contention for a state championship and into the consolation bracket for a loser out game against Elma.

Unfortunately, the Eagles got the best of Warden, 10-5, and sent the Cougars home wondering what might of been?

"We ran into some hot teams that hit the ball very well," coach Wes Richins said. "Our pitching was a little flat. We started out well both games, but by the middle innings we got blasted."

Despite the early exit, Richins said there were a few bright moments for the Cougars.

"Freshman Allycia Gonzales hit her first home run of the year against Lakeside. And Iris Rodriguez was 4-for-5 with two 2-run home runs and four intentional walks in the two games," he said. "We scored enough to win these games, but we could not hold down the Lakeside and Elma bats. We had a great year, being one of the smallest school's in the 1A classification, finishing 20-5 overall."