YAKIMA — The Mossyrock softball team found itself quickly up against the wall in Yakima on Friday after dropping its first game at the 1B state tournament 6-5 to Sunnyside Christian, but the Vikings bounced back in the big way they needed to, run-ruling Quilcene 10-0 in a loser-out game to survive to the final day of the season.
“We’re playing some of our best softball right now,” Mossyrock coach Keith Coleman said.
The Vikings jumped on the Rangers for six runs in the bottom of the first inning, waiting out a brief rain delay in the middle before going back to the scoring. Another run came in in the second, and another in the third, before Taylor Schwartz drove two in in the bottom of the fourth to get the game into run-rule territory.
Then it all came down to sophomore Erin Cournyer, who capped off a dominant display in the circle with three more outs. Cournyer finished with just one hit and two walks allowed, while getting 10 of her 15 outs via strikeout.
“Erin has pitched phenomenally this weekend,” Coleman said. “Just being able to spot the ball, hitting her spots, and throwing strikes. Getting ahead early in the count is a big plus, and they chased a few.”
Hailey Brooks finished 2 for 2 with a walk at the top of the Mossyrock lineup, starting the first-inning rally off with a leadoff triple. Schultz and Abbie Lovan joined her with two runs scored when it was all said and done, while Schultz added two hits of her own, including a double.
Mossyrock fell behind 4-0 three innings into its opener against Sunnyside Christian. The Vikings cut the deficit to 4-3 before SC got its offense going again, stretching to 6-3, and while Mossyrock rallied late, it could never get completely over the hump.
That sent the Vikings to the consolation portion of the bracket, though Friday evening’s win keeps them alive in the hunt for their program’s first trophy since 2011. They’ll take on No. 4 DeSales at 10 a.m. Saturday in another loser-out game, with the winner playing for third later in the day.
