Lady Kodiaks sweep Chelan in doubleheader

The Cascade High School softball team racked up two more Caribou Trail League wins on March 30 after sweeping Chelan in a league doubleheader.

The Lady Kodiaks earned a 13-1 victory in game one and an 11-5 win in the nightcap.

Cascade rattled their bats early on to leap to a 6-0 lead in the third inning. Sarah Paulson’s RBI gave Cascade their first run, followed by five Lady Kodiak runs in the second frame. The ball club continued their momentum with four runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth to force the game to end early via the 10-run mercy rule. Chelan scored its only run in the bottom of the fourth. 

Of the Lady Kodiaks’ 17 hits, Alondra Acevedo went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a double. Truh Merriman was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, three runs and a double. Kaija Lovelady and Paulson were 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs each, and a double apiece.

Paulson earned the win on the mound, striking out 10 batters and throwing a one-hitter. 

Cascade continued their fire off their bats in game two, jumping to a 6-0 lead in the fourth inning, including a home run from Merriman. The Lady Goats attempted a comeback with three runs in the bottom of the frame, and two more in the fifth.

Leading 6-5, the Lady Kodiaks broke away with five insurance runs, with Renee Lambert, Acevedo and Nicole Dunn bringing batters to home plate. 

The Lady Kodiaks garnered 12 hits. Merriman was 3-for-5 with two RBIs, three runs scored, a double and a home run.

Paulson was 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored while Lovelady was 3-for-5 with one run. Lambert was 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and a run.

Game starter Merriman earned the pitching win, throwing four innings, and allowing three runs on four hits. Paulson relieved Merriman in the fifth inning and recorded the last nine outs.  

"Today was a very good day for the team as they came out and played two strong games," Head Coach Todd Gilbert said. "We've been playing well in game one of double headers but have needed to improve our focus and effort in games this season. Today was a good step forward in that direction. We will get to practice it again on Friday with a home double header against a very good Mt. Baker team."

After one week into the season, the Lady Kodiaks will play their home opener on April 5 when they host Mount Baker in a nonleague doubleheader.