Tigers Win Twice, Advance to District Title Game

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The Centralia softball team had a pretty big day Thursday afternoon in Chehalis at Recreation Park.

Defeating R.A. Long, 3-2, before dispatching Aberdeen, 7-2, in the 2A District 4 semifinals, the Tigers squashed old demons, qualified for the district championship, and earned their first state tournament bid since 2011 on a sunny day across town at Rec Park. 

“The pressure’s off now,” Tigers coach David Orr said. “I’ve been to this point before and we couldn’t quite get over the hump, and we’ve done it this year. The pressure’s off, I’ve been coaching these girls up to come in relaxed, now it’s my turn to relax. We’ll come tomorrow and compete.”

The Tigers opened the day with a nail-biting, 3-2 win against R.A. Long, the team that knocked out Orr’s Tigers in his first season as head coach back in 2018 in what he called, “one of the worst games I’ve been a part of.” 

“Getting them back was huge,” he said. 

Hollynn Wakefield threw a complete game in the circle, giving up just four hits and two runs, while striking out nine. Lauren Wasson hit a solo shot in the fifth, and Jimena Luis and Payton Baumel each finished with multiple hits. 

From there, the Tigers had to take on an old nemesis in the district semifinals, playing 2A Evergreen Conference champion Aberdeen — a squad that had already beaten Centralia twice before in the regular season. 

The third time proved to be the charm for Centralia, as the Tigers controlled the game from start to finish in a 7-2 win. 

“I’ve been wanting to see Aberdeen again,” Orr said. “We just chipped away and chipped away. The last time we played them we were so close, we hit the ball, but right at them. We wanted to see them again, but to put the ball in play.”

The Tigers put pressure on the Bobcat defenders after a pair of scoreless innings, scoring four runs and taking advantage of miscues in the third. Centralia tacked on two more runs in the fourth, and added insurance in the sixth, all while Wakefield shut down Aberdeen from the circle. 

Wakefield again tossed a complete game, giving up just two runs on seven hits, with no walks and eight strikeouts. 

“Hollynn was lights out today,” Orr said. “She started out with a first pitch strike at least 75% of the time, she was working ahead almost all day. Some days we hit and some days we don’t, but as long as she keeps bringing it on the field and the defense stays strong, we’re in a good spot.”

At the dish, Wasson went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a double, and two RBIs, Judy Vallejo went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI, and Makayla Chavez went 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs. 

Though the bats got off to a bit of a slow start against R.A. Long and ace pitcher Jadyn Terry, when the bats finally arrived, they helped the Tigers roll all the way to the district title game. 

“They fed off each other today,” Orr said. “If we can keep that going, who knows who they can beat? If they keep going, they’ll be just fine.”

The Tigers, with a state bid already locked up, will take on Greater St. Helens League champion Ridgefield Friday back at Rec Park in Chehalis at 6 p.m. for the district championship.