EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers (10-11) concluded their regular season on the road Saturday after dropping back-to-back games to the Ellensburg Bulldogs. Despite the loss, Tigers Head Coach Lesa Trevino said her team's adjustments from game one to game two showed how competitive they really are.  

“The second game showed that we can compete with anyone when we decide to play our game. It just comes down to eliminating mistakes and continuing to attack,” Trevino said. “I feel like when we are a little bit more reserved, that's when games kind of get out of control. But when, when we're locked in, and the girls are doing their thing, they can compete with anyone.” 

Errors by the Tigers and a 12 run inning by Ellensburg put Ephrata behind by a large margin early on. Though they were able to score a run in the third, it was not enough to mount a comeback, and the Tigers fell in five innings 18-1. However, the Tigers rebounded in game two, keeping the game much closer with the Bulldogs. Ultimately, they fell 8-7 in seven innings, but the improvement the showed in game two gave Trevino a lot of confidence in her team. 

“Our pitching staff was ready to go that second game, and they performed really well, and our defense had their back all the way, which was really cool to see,” she said. “In the final moments we had a couple of errors, they're going to happen. That's what really was the difference; those couple errors at the last bit of it. What we're working on this week is just muscle memory and keeping their confidence level up, that if there is a tough play that they got it, and they're ready to go.” 

After suffering their first loss, the Tigers showed early they were going to flush it and come out of the gate more competitive with runs by Camila Martinez and Sidney Chornuk giving them an early lead. After Haley Trusty held Ellensburg scoreless in the bottom of the first inning, Ephrata’s Hannah Hull and Riley Trusty scored runs to make it 4-0.  

However, the Bulldogs erupted in the bottom of the second with six runs to take the lead for the first time. Instead of hanging their heads, the Tigers dug their heels in and strung together three runs in the top of the third. Bailey Falconer, Bayleigh French and Hull each got home to reclaim the lead to make it 6-7 Ephrata.  

The Bulldogs bounced back with one run in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game at 7-7. For two and a half innings, both teams were held scoreless by the opposing defense. Ellensburg broke through in the bottom of the sixth with one run to retake the lead over the Tigers. From there, they held on to the very end to secure the doubleheader sweep.  

Despite the loss, Trevino said the Tigers showed a lot of improvement in game two. They were able to play to more of their strengths, like base running. Dakota Durfee, Falconer and Martinez each recorded a stolen base for the Tigers.  

“They are extremely good at base running, they’re smart, they're competitive and when they have that confidence on the field, it is a completely different ball game,” Trevino said.  

With the regular season complete, the Tigers turn their focus to the Central Washington Athletic Conference district tournament, where they will play as the fourth seed on the road against first seed East Valley on Wednesday.  

Despite last weekend’s loss, Trevino and the Tigers feel confident they can compete with anyone in the CWAC. After starting the season 1-8, Ephrata went 9-1 over the 10 games leading up to their doubleheader against Ellensburg.  

“They've grown so much just within the last few weeks alone. When you're starting seven freshmen and only have a couple of upperclassmen, it's going to take a lot of want and drive, and the whole team has that want and drive. They want to get better, they want to learn, they're asking good questions and they're trying to just understand the game a little bit more, which is huge,” she said.  

The Tigers are familiar with East Valley, having played them already early in the season, though they fell 10-0 and 13-6. However, Trevino and the Tigers feel like they can take what they experienced in their first matchup and utilize their newfound momentum to be competitive.  

“We are a team that can compete... we've shown it. We've competed with some of the top three teams, and when we are ready to go and when we are consistent offensively, we are a tough team to beat,” said Trevino.  

BOX SCORES:  

Game one 

EPHT: 0-0-1-0-0: 1 

EBRG: 1-12-1-4-0: 18 

Game two 

EPHT: 2-2-3-0-0-0-0: 7 

EBRG: 0-6-1-0-0-1-0: 8 

    After hitting a line drive that advanced her to first base, Camila Martinez (1) is congratulated by an assistant coach for the Ephrata Tigers.
  

    Bailey Falconer (12) stands ready at first base during the Tigers game against Prosser earlier this season. Falconer recorded a stolen base against Ellensburg Saturday.
  

    After fielding a line drive, the Tigers’ Ella Piturachsatit (14) throws the ball to first base against Prosser earlier this season.