Cascade defends league title with sweep of Omak

The Cascade Kodiak softball team repeated as league champions with a dominating sweep of Omak on May 4. Cascade finished 11-1 in the Caribou Trail League, just ahead of Okanogan, which finished 10-2.
Cascade hosts the District Tournament, which is Saturday at Dryden. Cascade plays Okanogan at 11 a.m. for the District Championship. The winner earns a trip to state, while the loser must play a consolation game, then move onto CTL/NEA crossover to earn a trip to state.
Omak and Chelan play in the other semifinal. Cascade split a doubleheader at Okanogan on March 31, winning 12-2 but losing the second game 4-3. On April 24, Cascade edged the Bulldogs 2-1. Expectation are for another close game on Saturday between the two teams.
On May 4, Cascade played a doubleheader at Omak. Cascade won the first game 11-0 in five innings.
Sarah Paulson was again very strong in the circle throwing the two-hit shutout, picking up 8 strikeouts along the way. Paulson pitched 5 innings, giving up no runs, 2 hits with 1 walk and 2 hit batters.
Truh Merriman was 1-for-2 with 2 RBI and 2 runs. Paulson was 2-for-1 with 2 RBI. Kayla Bittle was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Alondra Acevedo was 1-for-2 with 2 RBI.
Cascade won the second game 13-3.
“The team did a great job of showing up focussed and ready to play. It was little unusual for us traveling that far for a double header on a weekday, but the girls handled it well. Whenever the focus looked like it might be leaving us they got it back together and made plays,” said Cascade Head Coach Todd Gilbert. “This has been a very good regular season for this team that has consistently gotten better as the year has progressed. Now it is time to get ready for
the second season, the post season.”
Merriman pitched 6 innings, giving up 1 earned run on 7 hits with 6 strikeouts and 1 walk. Paulson pitched an inning, giving up no runs with 2 strikeouts.
Merriman was 3-for-5 with 3 runs, 3 RBI, HR. Kaija Lovelady was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI and a triple. Maddie Schiefelbein was 2-for-2 with 2 sac bunts.
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.