By Michael Carman
Peninsula Daily News
CENTRALIA — A sparkling cider celebration capped off the biggest win in Forks softball history Saturday at the Class 1A Southwest District Tournament at Fort Borst Park.
The Spartans sealed the program’s first-ever state tournament bid by dispatching King’s Way Christian 8-0 in the resumption of a rain-delayed game from Wednesday and then drilling La Center 14-0 in six innings in a winner-to-state, loser-out contest.
“They all headed to the mound, a couple brought out some sparkling cider leftover from prom, I think,” Forks coach Dennis Dean said of how his Spartans celebrated.
“That’s huge for us [making state]. For this program here, the weather doesn’t help us out, so it’s pretty big for us to make it finally.”
Britney Dean pitched both games — striking out 13 while no-hitting King’s Way Christian and allowing just two hits while fanning 10 more batters against La Center.
“I figured she was a senior, it’s her last shot at it, so stick with it and see if she can get us there [to state],” Dennis Dean said.
Against La Center, catcher Rian Peters jammed her thumb in the first inning, but “toughed it out,” according to Dean.
“She laid down a bunt to score a run in the first inning, then [later] with a runner on I gave her the green light to swing away or bunt and she hit a home run,” Dean said.
“She came back up again with runners at second and third and hit a double.”
Jayden Olson had three hits against King’s Way and La Center.
Freshman Aspen Rondeau had three doubles against La Center and Julia Lausche and Chloe Leverington each went 2 for 4 for the Spartans.
Forks (11-9) played Elma for the third and fourth seeds to state late Saturday.
“It’s so huge for us, we don’t even really care we have another game left to play,” Dean said.
“It’s been so heartbreaking. You lose games like we did Wednesday 2-1 [against Castle Rock] and they go beat Elma 3-2.
“We’ve always seemed to be one game away, one run away, so to finally get that big win, to see the girls hit so well…it’s real special.”
