The Liberty Bell High School softball team saw its season on the brink last weekend before rallying for a win at district playoffs that will send the Lady Lions back to the tournament on Saturday (May 23).
In the first game at Ephrata last Saturday (May 16), Liberty Bell was shut out by Warden, 4-0, leaving them one loss from elimination. Warden has lost only two games this season and will be playing Kittitas on Saturday for the district title.
“The girls played well on defense,” coach Lee Pilkinton said. “It was an intense and exciting game.”
Warden scored one run in the second inning, one in the third and two in the fourth to account for all the scoring. Kelsey Baldwin pitched the entire game for Liberty Bell.
“We were just unable to overcome Warden’s pitching,” Pilkinton said.
It was a different story in the day’s second game, as the Lady Lions rebounded with a 10-5 win over Central Washington B North League rival Oroville to keep their season alive.
Baldwin pitched the full seven-inning game, recording nine strikeouts and giving up only two walks.
Liberty Bell’s bats came alive against Oroville, as the Lady Lions rang up 14 hits. Kuirstin Pilkinton was four-for-four with a triple. Lauren Ochoa went two-for-four with a home run. Baldwin helped her cause by going three-for-four with a single and two doubles. Whitney Fox was also two-for-four.
It’s back to Ephrata on Saturday, where Liberty Bell will face Okanogan at noon. Okanogan finished tied for first in the North League and would be playing for the district championship but for a 5-4 loss to Kittitas last weekend.
If the Lady Lions win against Okanogan, they have a chance to play for third place in the regionals. If they lose, they will have another game against either Brewster or Tonasket to play for fifth place. Two losses would end their season.
