EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers softball team earned two victories in their doubleheader against the Quincy Jackrabbits. 

“I think as a team we’ve really grown because for a while we really struggled with keeping energy for our second games, but I think our last few games we’ve done a really good job at it,” said Alexia Durfee, who pitched the first game for the Tigers. 

In the first game Durfee gave up one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out two and walking none. Mariah Stephens and Zyahanna Stephens pitched for the Jacks in game one. 

Ephrata put up six runs in the first inning with Jaeda Gonzalez hitting a home run to center field for three and Kaylynn Spencer, Tori Falconer and Kylee Roduner making hits that resulted in runs. The second inning saw Ephrata put up 10 runs with Jaemyson Durfee, Dakota Durfee, Tori Falconer, Olivia Bicondova and Kaydence Hector all making scoring hits to win 16-0. 

“We just came out and hit really well and held their hitters at bay,” said Tigers head coach Heather Wood. 

The Tigers had similar success in the second game, where they hammered in a total of five home runs, with Hector hitting two and Jaeda Gonzalez hitting three. Bailey Falconer and Bicondova also scored hits in their 15-0 victory over the Jacks. 

“When I’m hitting, I feel like it’s just that focus, I lose everything in my mind and I try not to think as much,” said Gonzalez about her home run hits. “I try to just go with the flow, clear it, focus on what’s coming at me and I just drive it.” 

Bicondova pitched for the Tigers in the second game, where she allowed two hits by the Jacks’ Zyahanna Stephens and Amy Buenrostro and zero runs, striking out three and walking three in four innings. Genesis Hinojosa pitched for the Jacks, where she struck out two and walked three. 

“I was struggling a bit, but I was able to work back into it, and we were able to find out,” said Bicondova. 

Wood said the Tigers put on a great hitting performance in game two and was pleased with the team’s ability to capitalize on the opponent’s errors. Even when Quincy got the ball in play, Ephrata still made sure to get the job done, she said.  

Thursday’s doubleheader marked Wood's 250th career win as head coach for the Ephrata Tigers.  

“It’s kind of crazy,” she said. “I started in 2002 and took three years off, so it’s nice and it’s good to win at home. 

Jacks’ head coach Pauline Baughman said the team had prepared for a tough pair of games against Ephrata, but felt like the team showed resilience. 

“Defensively, I feel like we did OK; we had some errors in the first game that weren’t there in the second one,” said Baughman. 

The Jacks are preparing to end their season with three doubleheaders over six days starting with Prosser over the weekend, two against Selah today and ending off at home with two games against Grandview. Both the Prosser and Selah game results will be printed in the Wednesday edition of the Columbia Basin Herald. 

“All of those doubleheaders are kind of determining where we’re going to end up,” said Baughman. “We still have a possibility of making it to districts, but next Thursday is our last unless we make it on to districts.” 

The Tigers continue to aim their sights on their postseason strategies, keeping on their current path and continuing to play hard, said Wood. 

“I feel like we’ve got a great shot at postseason and our goals are league champs, district champs and making it to state,” she said. 

The Tigers will play their final game of the regular season at home in a doubleheader against Ellensburg on Friday with first game starting at 3 p.m. and the Jacks play on the road in a doubleheader against Selah today, starting at 3 p.m. 

    The Jacks’ Zyahanna Stephens seen hitting in the second game pitched relief in the first game.
  

    Alexia Durfee pitched the first game for the Tigers where she gave up one hit and zero runs over three innings.
  

    Kaydence Hector hit two home runs in game two adding to Ephrata’s 15-0 victory.
  

    Olivia Bicondova pitched the second game and earned multiple scoring hits throughout both games for the Tigers including the final run in the second game.
  

    Genesis Hinojosa pitched the second game for Quincy where she threw two strikeouts.
  

    Tiger’s Kylee Roduner made multiple scoring hits for the team throughout both games.
  

    Amy Buenrostro throws the ball back toward the diamond from the outfield in game two.