OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies softball team won in both games of their doubleheader against Prosser on Friday evening, going 11-1 and 10-0 for the day. 

“I felt good knowing there was a good team behind me to back me up as the pitcher,” said the Huskies’ Alexa Prochet.  

Prochet pitched dominantly in the first game, ringing up 11 strikeouts and only allowing one hit, one run and walking one in more than five innings in the center of the diamond.  

Othello was able to get a significant lead in the bottom of the first innings after Lovie Franco drew a walk, scoring one run; Alizay Pruneda singled, scoring two runs; and Bethany Zamora hit a bunt, scoring another run. They then added to the lead in the bottom of the second when Emi Pruneda walked, scoring a run. The Huskies scored on a wild pitch and Kiana Salazar also walked, scoring a run as well. 

“We did start off a little bit fast and then it slowed down towards the end,” said Huskies coach Ceci Rodriguez. “We were doing really good at hitting, it just kind of added every inning.” 

The third and fourth innings were the only times the team did not put points on the board. The fourth inning of game one was the only time they allowed the only point for the opponent. In the fifth, the Huskies team was able to break out again, scoring four more runs and ending the game 11-1, said Rodriguez. 

In preparation for the second game, Rodriguez just told the team to keep up the energy that they showed in the first. 

“Continue to hit the ball and have some confidence up there and keep believing in yourself to drive,” said the coach. “And play some good defense, too; we need defense.” 

The second game saw a slower start, scoring two in the first inning and none in the second inning, said the coach. They were then able to pick back up in the third and fourth innings, scoring four runs in each and ending the game in the fifth on a 10-run rule. 

Emi Pruneda hit a home run in the fourth inning, allowing both herself and Kaelee Valdez to score runs on the play, putting the team up 8-0. Isabella Mayo hit a single soon after, allowing both Prochet and Salazar to score the final points of the game, putting them up 10-0. 

“The bat before I popped up into shallow right, but in my head, I was thinking I need to sit a little longer,” said Emi Pruneda regarding her thoughts leading up to the home run hit. “I lunged a little too soon so that next at bat I was just sit, sit, sit and then go and it went over.” 

Lovie Franco pitched the second game for the Huskies, allowing only two hits and throwing 13 strikeouts. 

 “It’s easier to play good when I’m confident in my team and what we can do,” said Franco. “We’ve been practicing a lot, putting in a lot of work.” 

 The Huskies now sit 4-0 in league and 5-3 overall and are looking toward their next game against Grandview. 

“We’re learning and getting a lot better during practice, doing some base running things, getting smarter at the plate, looking for our strikes and just attacking everything,” said Rodriguez.  

Rodriguez looks for the team to continue the success that was found in Friday’s game going up against Grandview. The repetition of hitting more and understanding how to base run will help them continue their strategies and come up with new ones as they face future opponents, she said. 

“The first couple of days we kind of struggled, but now we’re here,” said Rodriguez. “We’re getting better, and these games are helping us out.” 

The Huskies will be on spring break but will face off in a doubleheader against Grandview on April 15. The first game will start at 3 p.m. 

    Lovie Franco pitched the second game with 13 strikeouts and allowed only two hits.
  

    Emi Pruneda walks the bases and celebrates her home run.
  

    Bethany Zamora goes for the bunt allowing her team to score.
  

    Kaelee Valdez played a valuable offensive and defensive role in Friday's competition in Othello.