The Olympic College softball team closed out its regular season with a four-game slate over the weekend, earning a dramatic extra-inning win at Skagit Valley on Friday before dropping the next three contests, including a home doubleheader against Bellevue on Saturday's Sophomore Day.
In Friday's opener, the Rangers pulled off a thrilling 9–7 victory in nine innings. Freshman right-fielder Sienna Kauhi delivered the game-winning hit with a two-run double in the top of the ninth, scoring sophomore speedster Abigail Aribal and freshman Idahoan Jennaleigh Whitehead. The hit capped a huge game for Kauhi which saw her go 4 for 4 with 4 RBI and an HR away from hitting the cycle. Freshman aces Madison Kelker and Whitehead paired up to pitch all nine innings and they got stronger as the games progressed, finishing the nail-biting contest in style.
Game two saw Olympic take a 3–2 lead into the bottom of the sixth before Skagit rallied for four runs to secure the 6–3 win. Freshman catcher Hayley Garber's clutch 6th inning RBI double was nearly enough to carry the Ranger through. Freshmen Tatem Miller and Shelby Avery took to the circle and struck out 3 batters between them.
Saturday's home doubleheader against conference powerhouse Bellevue proved challenging. In game one, Bellevue's bats erupted in an 18–2 victory. The Rangers managed only two hits, with RBIs from Kelker and sophomore shortstop Olivia Pater. Game two was a slow and steady knockout for the Rangers with the Bulldogs taking an early 10-0 lead. A 4th inning rally by the Rangers was fueled by RBI singles by freshmen Natalie Brierly and Garber, but the dramatic comeback was cut short and the Rangers posted a weekend record of 1-3. Miller pitched 2.2 and Whitehead completed the last 2.1 innings in a losing effort.
Saturday's games were highlighted as Olympic College was able to honor its sophomore class and thank them for the active roles they have taken in the team's development over the past two seasons. With the regular season complete, the Rangers finish 12–12 in conference play and 17–23 overall. Olympic heads to the NWAC Championships in Portland as the No. 15 seed and will face Columbia Basin in the opening round Thursday.
Friday, May 9 – at Skagit Valley
Game 1: Rangers 9, Skagit Valley 7 (9 innings)
Offense: 9 runs [Aribal (3)], 13 hits [Kauhi (4)], 1 double [Kauhi], 1 triple [Kauhi], 2 HR [Kelker, Garber], 9 RBI [Kauhi (4)], 2 walks [Kauhi, Brierly], 2 steals [Aribal (2)].
Defense: 9 IP [Kelker (7.0), Whitehead (2.0)], 5 earned runs [Kelker], 8 hits allowed [Kelker], 2 strikeouts [Kelker], 5 errors [Whitehead (2), Garber (2), Kelker].
Game 2: Skagit Valley 6, Rangers 3
Offense: 3 runs [Aribal, Miller, Fajotina], 9 hits [Pater (3)], 2 doubles [Miller, Garber], 3 RBI [Garber, Pater, Aribal], 3 steals [Aribal, Pater, Fajotina].
Defense: 6 IP [Miller (2.0), Avery (4.0)], 6 earned runs [Miller (2), Avery (4)], 10 hits allowed [Miller (4), Avery (6)], 3 strikeouts [Miller (1), Avery (2)].
Saturday, May 10 – vs. Bellevue (Sophomore Day)
Game 3: Bellevue 18, Rangers 2
Offense: 2 runs [Aribal, Whitehead], 2 hits [Pater, Kauhi], 1 double [Pater], 2 RBI [Kelker, Pater], 4 walks [Whitehead (2)].
Defense: 5 IP [Avery (2.1), Kelker (2.2)], 14 earned runs [Avery (5), Kelker (9)], 17 hits allowed [Avery (7), Kelker (10)], 2 strikeouts [Avery, Kelker], 6 errors [Pater (2), Brierly (2), Aribal, Fajotina].
Game 4: Bellevue 10, Rangers 2
Offense: 2 runs [Miller, Brierly], 5 hits [Aribal, Miller, Brierly, Garber, McBee], 2 RBI [Brierly, Garber], 3 walks [Pater, Kelker, Brierly].
Defense: 5 IP [Miller (2.2), Whitehead (2.1)], 10 earned runs [Miller (7), Whitehead (3)], 11 hits allowed [Miller (5), Whitehead (6)], 1 strikeout [Miller], 1 error [Pater].
