CENTRALIA — Forks kept its softball season alive by splitting a pair of games at the Class 1A Southwest District 4 Tournament at Fort Borst Park.
The Spartans lost 8-0 to La Center in their district opener Wednesday, but rallied for a 9-8 win over White Salmon.
Forks (12-8) will play Evergreen League foe Hoquiam (8-7) in a loser-out game back in Centralia at 11 a.m. Saturday. To make the state tournament, the Spartans must beat the Grizzzlies and then take down the winner between Castle Rock and Elma.
In Wednesday’s district opener, Forks was limited to a pair of hits in an 8-0 loss to defending state champion La Center.
Coach Dennis Dean said Jayden Olson pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and four walks.
Bailey Queen and Kierra Brandt notched the Spartans’ hits.
“We had a hard time putting the ball in play to score runs,” Dean said.
Against White Salmon, Forks pitcher Britney Dean helped her own cause by slugging a two-run home run.
Dean went five strong innings on the mound, allowing five hits and three walks, while striking out three.
Olson closed out the contest by pitching the final two frames, allowing two hits and a pair of walks while striking out three.
Rian Peters and Olson hit solo home runs and Myah Rondeau rapped a two-run double and an RBI single for the winners.
Sequim opens today
SPANAWAY — Sequim (10-9) open Class 2A West Central District play today with a game against last year’s state runner-up Fife (14-5) at 12:15 p.m. at Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway.
The Wolves are looking for their seventh consecutive trip to the state tournament.
Sequim has been led by the hitting of Bobbi Sparks, Shelby Jones, Jordan Bentz, Raelynn Opdyke and Isabelle Dennis this season.
Jones and Dennis also have handled pitching duties for the Wolves.
Chimacum waiting
SPANAWAY — The three-time defending Olympic League 1A Division champion Cowboys are looking for their third straight appearance in the 1A state tournament when they open district play tonight at 6:15 p.m. at Sprinker Recreation Center.
Chimacum (10-4) will play the winner between league foe Klahowya and Seattle Christian with a berth in the district championship game on the line.
Quilcene already in
QUILCENE — The Rangers opened district play late Thursday, but already have clinched their seventh straight trip to the 1B state tournament.
Quilcene (14-1) has placed third at state the past two seasons and was fourth in 2013 and 2014.
