The Beavers’ season came to an end exactly where they wanted it to — just a day earlier than they’d hoped.
Tenino, whose two seniors Kelli Hammond and Madison Heay got to play in their first district tournament, lost to La Center 11-1 in the first round of the District 4 1A Softball Tournament on Wednesday in Centralia then dropped a close 5-2 matchup against Castle Rock in a loser-out game.
“The girls really showed up to this district tournament more prepared and more ready than they’ve shown up to any game this season,” Tenino coach KaTrina Haupert said. “From the very beginning our goal was to make it to districts and it was a great accomplishment for us.”
La Center 11, Tenino 1
The Wildcats were aided by four Tenino errors for an 11-1 victory in the opening round. La Center had eight hits and led 8-1 after the first inning.
“Audrey Fant hit a double to start us off and then Morgan Masters hit her to third base,” Haupert said. “Felicia Grubbe hit her home and we started off really strong. Then La Center got 3 runs in the first and the wind kind of came out of our sails.”
Masters finished 2 for 3 at the plate while pitching a complete game. Molly Eckhardt was also 2 for 3.
Castle Rock 5, Tenino 2
Castle Rock held on for the 5-2 victory in the consolation bracket to end Tenino’s season behind seven hits and 4 runs over the final four innings.
“I think the La Center game might have carried over to the second game,” Haupert said. “But they were cheering on and working hard.I was proud of the girls and how hard they worked and wish that would have been reflected more in the score.”
Eckhardt was 2 for 3 in the game while Masters again went the distance, giving up seven hits. Tenino trailed 4-0 before scored 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth but was blanked in the seventh.
The Beavers finished the year 8-14 but returned almost everybody to next year’s team.
“Next season can’t come soon enough,” Haupert said. “I’m already ready. We have a lot of juniors that will be seniors next year.”
