Huskies take first loss in conference play
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 months, 4 weeks AGO
Emi Pruneda runs to second base in an Othello Huskie softball game last year. The Huskies suffered their first loss in conference play after a doubleheader against East Valley.
FILE PHOTO
OTHELLO — The Huskies softball team (7-5) dropped both of their games against the East Valley Red Devils in their doubleheader Friday. Othello lost 8-2 in game one and 9-5 in game two.
Leading up to the doubleheader, the Huskies were undefeated in conference play, with a record of 6-0.
“I was hoping that we would get a good lead and just hold it with our pitchers,” head coach Ceci Rodriguez said. “They were really good hitters ... they put the ball in play, and we couldn't do that.”
In game one, Kaelee Valdez was at bat four times and recorded two hits, including one RBI. Lovie Franco was also at bat four times and tallied two hits. Senior Emi Pruneda was able to steal two bases in game one.
However, the Red Devils were able to jump out with a lead early and maintain it despite two runs late in the game.
In game two, the Huskies were able to put up two runs in the first inning and it looked like they were ready to bounce back from the first game. However, the Red Devils were able to score six total runs in the first two innings.
Franco would tally two hits once again in game two, while Valdez would log another RBI.
The lead slowly grew through the next few innings before the Huskies racked off three runs, but it was too late and the Red Devils would secure their second win of the day.
Rodriguez was not shaken by the loss, she said; despite the Huskies being a younger team, she has always felt her team could perform.
“They just have to believe in themselves,” she said. “I'm happy where we're at, they're actually getting better and learning the game as we go.”
The Huskies will walk into another doubleheader tonight as they face the Ephrata Tigers (10-5).
ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
Cougs’ extend win streak after win over Portland
PULLMAN — The Washington State Cougars (19-17) extended its win streak to five after defeating the University of Portland Pilots 9-3 Monday, according to a statement by WSU Athletics. Pitcher Brock Blatter was happy with his performance after coming back from a recent injury. “It felt good (to) give us a good start and stuff and get us in good position and get a win on a Monday,” Blatter said. “(I just) keep getting innings and building up my pitch count and stuff like that and continue to build each outing. (I) got four innings today and continued to build the pitch count.”
Basin diamond roundup, April 7-13
MOSES LAKE — Over the last week, we have crossed the halfway mark of the spring sports season for Basin baseball and softball. While many schools were enjoying a relaxing spring break, many others still stepped out on the diamond as they work toward the postseason. See below how your favorite teams fared and their current record.
More than basketball
Grant County Red Tails emphasize mentorship while earning dramatic home victory
MATTAWA — The Grant County Red Tails (6-5) are the Basin’s newest professional basketball team. Part of The Basketball League, the Red Tails aren’t only focused on hoops, they’re also driven by community service. “We came together because we saw the need, number one, that we could revitalize the mentorship and the leadership things that are missing in this community, with touch points, with kids and families and family engagement, being in such a rural area, and we wanted to really take advantage of that and be the answer,” Co-Founder Antonio Williams said. Alongside Doug Foodies and Ryan Purdie, the trio has brought another option for entertainment to Mattawa and Grant County as a whole. Williams pointed to a new jail being built in the area as motivation for pursuing this endeavor, he said.