4A SPSL softball tournament: Wirtala's gem leads Emerald Ridge over G-K in semis
Recaps and results from this week's 4A SPSL fastpitch softball tournament around the South Sound.
SEMIFINALS
EMERALD RIDGE 2, GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN 1
Alanna Wirtala threw a one-run complete game, Jayda Guadron plated both Emerald Ridge runs, and the Jaguars outlasted Graham-Kapowsin, 2-1, in Tuesday's 4A SPSL semifinals.
Guadron's RBI double in the third inning and go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh were enough run support for the standout Wirtala, who allowed one run (none earned) with six strikeouts over seven strong frames.
'(Alanna) was unbelievable,' Jaguars coach Adam Schakel said. 'I mean, you know the old saying, right? Big-time players step up in big-time games. This was a performance by her.'
Graham-Kapowsin's Jessika Jennings matched Wirtala's complete game in a pitcher's duel, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) while walking two and striking out nine.
The Eagles mustered their only run in the third inning when Izzy Vargas' RBI single scored Marley McDaniel.
Emerald Ridge meets Rogers or Sumner in Thursday's 4A SPSL championship. All four semifinalists are through to the district bracket.
'The kids feel like they can win,' Schakel said. 'They're confident that whoever they play, they've got a chance to win, and they trust each other.
'If your bat's not working, then turn the page and go play defense. And that happened today.'
TOURNAMENT SCOREBOARD
FIFTH-PLACE GAME
Both to districts
Puyallup 6, Yelm 3
LOSER-OUT GAMES
Winners to districts
South Kitsap 8, Bonney Lake 3
Olympia 14, Bethel 0
This story will be updated.
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