RICHLAND – A line-drive single by Nooksack Valley senior Ellie VanBerkum broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning, and sparked a six-run inning for the Pioneers which led to an 8-3 victory over Hoquiam in the quarterfinals of the 1A State Fastpitch Tournament.
Nooksack Valley started the scoring in the bottom of the third when senior centerfielder Jayden Loreen connected on a two-run homerun, which scored VanBerkum.
The Grizzles answered back with back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game, which led to the big sixth inning by the Pioneers.
Nooksack Valley pitcher Jordyn Relethford struck out 15 batters, throwing 105 pitches and 93 of them for strikes.
Loreen led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with three runs batted in. Relethford and senior catcher America Oettel each also picked up a pair of hits and an RBI.
It was Nooksack Valley’s 24th win in a row on the season, and it will now face Mount Baker tomorrow morning at 9:00 for a spot in the state championship game.
This team looks like it might never lose.