Titans Outscore Spartans 27-1 in Home DH Bashing

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PE ELL — It was a far cry from last season’s district semifinal matchup.

In April 2021, Pe Ell-Willapa Valley softball reeled off 15-straight wins before falling 2-0 to Forks in the 2B District 4 semifinals — a disheartening blow for a team that looked poised to contend for the district title.

On Friday, the two teams met for the first time since then. This time, it was all Titans

PWV smashed 17 hits while ace Olivia Matlock no-hit the Spartans in Game 1 for a 15-0 victory in three innings. In Game 2, Matlock surrendered just one hit while the Titans pounded out 11 of their own in a 12-1 nightcap victory.

“Overall, I think we are on the right track with making all the adjustments at the plate as needed, with the different speeds and movement of the pitchers we are facing,” PWC coach Ken Olson said.

Merissa Frazier led the Titans’ offensive onslaught with two triples and two RBIs, while Dani Shannon knocked a triple, Lauren Matlock was 2 for 2 with an RBI and Reagan Portmann went 2 for 3 with two doubles.

Olivia Matlock tossed a no-hitter with six strikeouts in three innings on the mound. She was equally impressive at the plate, going 3 for 3 while driving in two runs.

In Game 2, eighth grader Lauren Matlock mashed her first high school home run, finishing 3 for 3 with three RBIs.

Shannon added her second home run of the season in the fifth inning and finished with two RBIs. Frasier had a double to drive in two runs, while Ava Bush was 2 for 3, Portmann had a double to drive in two runs and eighth grader Jillian Hodel was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Great day for our hitters against a solid club that played in the district championship last season,” Olson said.

Olivia Matlock had a triple in the first inning to bring in a run, and struck out eight batters while allowing just one hit on the mound.

 “Olivia Matlock was obviously terrific on the mound today, working eight total innings with 14 Ks,” Olson said. She always keeps us in the game and provides great leadership.

“Payton Peterson is always rock solid behind the plate catching Olivia; not an easy job. We do need to clean up a few defensive issues, but overall a solid day for us.”

Pe Ell-Willapa Valley next hosts 2B Pacific League foe Ilwaco on April 12.