EPHRATA – The Tigers softball team has begun its state tournament competition. Heading into round one, they were set to face the Olympic Trojans. In the beginning, the Tigers kept it competitive but gave up seven runs in the fifth inning, which allowed Olympic to run away with a final score of 12-4, and the first-round win.  

OLYM:  0 0 0 3 7 2 *: 12
EPHR: 1 0 0 0 2 1 0: 4

The Tigers were bumped to the consolation bracket, where they have the opportunity to win their way to a top-three finish. In their first game of the consolation bracket, they played the Kingston Buccaneers. It was a back-and-forth game, but the Tigers strung together a five-run fifth inning that propelled them to a 13-10 victory.  

KNHS: 2 0 3 1 1 3 0
EPHR: 3 1 0 3 5 1 * 

Following their first victory of the day, the Tigers would move on to play the Archbishop Murphy Wildcats. After ending the first inning tied at two apiece, the Tigers began to run away with the game. They played another strong fifth inning with four runs and two in each of the final two innings. They were victorious over the Wildcats with a final score of 12-4.  

EPHR: 2 1 1 0 4 2 2: 12
ARBM: 2 0 1 1 0 0 0: 4

The Tigers will continue in the consolation bracket when they play the Woodland Beavers on Saturday, May 24. The first pitch is slated for 10 a.m. Full coverage of their state play will be in the Tuesday edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.