Not many people predicted Washington to make the State fast-pitch softball tournament.

Even fewer expected them to make noise the way the Warriors did in their two games at the Ballfields at FireLake in Shawnee.

“A lot of people didn’t think we’d be in the State tournament, much less be in a one-run game to get to the finals,” said Washington head coach Tylor Lampkin. “From where we started to where we ended; not many people thought we’d be there.”

After sweeping their way through the Regional tournaments, the magic finally ran out for the Warriors in the State semifinals.

Kiefer

Washington defeated Kiefer 8-1 in the opening round of State.

Olivia Palumbo was dealing in the circle.

The junior hurler struck out eight batters in seven innings on the way to the opening round win.

Julie Hoehner went 2-4 with three RBIs in the game.

“Julie wore in out,” Lampkin said. “She had a really solid day.”

Senior Emjay Lucas also went 3-4, including a double, with three ribbies.

Ava Salcedo was 2-4 as well and scored two runs.

“We hit the ball really well and had timely hitting,” Lampkin said. “We played some awesome defense too. Olivia got hot in the circle and that always gives us a chance to win ball games.”

Lone Grove

Salcedo singled and got the scoring going after Hoehner knocked her in with a base hit.

Salcedo went 2-4 in the game while Hoehner was 1-3 with a walk.

The Warriors kept the lead until the fifth inning when Lone Grove put a run up on the board.

The Warriors answered in the sixth inning when Shelbie Caveness scored on a Lone Grove error.

The Longhorns would win the game in the seventh inning on a walk-off double.

“It was a great ball game and both kids pitched it unbelievably,” Lampkin said.

The Warriors finished the season 25-13.

“I was super proud of the team at the end of the year,” Lampkin said. “They heard some of the outside noise that they wouldn’t make it to State but they never bought into that. That’s all them. They came out and worked hard every day.”

Notes

The Warriors graduate four seniors from this year’s team.

Alexis Gay, Halle Andrews, Bailey Hyde and Emjay Lucas will all be lost to graduation.

Lampkin said their loss will be felt within the program.

“Those four are all great people and mean a lot to me,” Lampkin said. “Being around them made me a better person and I’m super proud of them.”

The team’s State appearence marked the 14th consecutive trip for the Warriors and 27th consecutive appearance when slow pitch is included.