Bulldogs win; 4th to Eagles

Montesano and Castle Rock each reached Saturday’s final game of the State 1A fastpitch softball tournament at Franklin Park by planting a “No Trespassing” sign on home plate.

Defending champion Castle Rock had not allowed a run in its first three games, including a 4-0 shutout of Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) in the semifinals.

The Montesano Bulldogs, who lost to the Rockets in last year’s title game, 10-9, had allowed just two runs in their first three games.

The Rockets never left the launch pad.

Montesano scored a run in the third inning, then added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh to earn a 3-0 victory.

Junior pitcher Mikayla Shumate drove in a run in the third inning.

By the time she came out to pitch the seventh, her teammates had added a pair of insurance runs

Shumate struck out the first two batters she faced, but gave up a double and a walk to bring the tying run to the plate and the Rockets’ top hitter to the on-deck circle.

“I knew I had to get that hitter,” she said. “There was no way I wanted to let Lacey Seidl have a chance to hit. When I got her to pop the ball up, I was so relieved.”

The Bulldogs won five 2A championships from 1998 through 2005.

Lakeside coach Chuck Moffatt said he knew his Eagles would play for the third- and fourth-trophy as soon as they lost to Castle Rock in the morning semifinals.

“We’ve never lost more than one game in a row all year long,” he said. “I knew we’d bounce back and win our next game and make it to the trophy game.”

The Eagles needed to get past Chelan to do that – a team that had knocked them around in the regional tournament, 12-2.

Lakeside got a gutsy performance from senior pitcher Danielle Zidak, who scattered seven hits and allowed just three runs in a 6-3 victory.

“I know I’m not one of the elite pitchers,” Zidak said. “I just do what I can and let my defense make plays behind me. When Michelle (Barcellos) belted a two-run home run in the first inning, we knew we were on our way.”

Zidak took a line drive off her thigh late in the game but refused to leave.

“There was no way I was leaving that game,” she said. “Or the trophy game either. I’m going to have a big bruise tomorrow and I’m going to limp a little and I’m going to wear shorts so everyone can see it and ask me about it.”

The Eagles were shut down by standout sophomore Mariah Dawson of La Center in the third-place game, 7-1.

“I am so proud of the way these kids go out there and battle,” Moffatt said. “We lost six seniors from last year’s team and most people thought our cupboard was bare this year. They’ve worked hard and they deserved to be here.”