Following five victories, the Washington fast-pitch softball team emerged victorious from the Mary Arnold Festival in Branson, Missouri. Tylor Lampkin, head coach of the Warriors, remarked, “We played well and it was a really fun trip.” According to him, the goal of his team’s tour was to improve a number of areas of their game. According to Lampkin, “we were focused on a couple things.” “We wanted to avoid giving up any free bases and throw strikes.” We also aimed to reduce mistakes. I’m pleased of them because we performed well on those tasks.
Missouri
The Warriors opened the festival Thursday against Kickapoo, Mo.
Payton Blackburn had a complete, six-inning game in the circle.
She struck out six batters, while walking two and giving up three hits.
Washington scored one run in each of the first, third and sixth innings.
Julie Hoehner homered in the third inning on a solo shot.
She was 1-3 on the day.
“We saw some good arms in the festival but the Missouri teams are a little different,” Lampkin said. “They can all swing the bat really well. So for us to give up as few of runs as we did that was impressive.”
Rogersville
Washington beat Rogersville 11-0 in the next game.
Washington scored three runs in the second and five in the third inning.
Three more runs in the sixth inning would be the cherry on top.
Hoehner and Ava Salcedo homered and they both went 1-3.
Ally Dennis started the game at pitcher and struck out five batters before Ellie Musgrove came on in relief. She had three Ks.
Nixa
Washington beat Nixa 13-5 behind a five RBI day from Hoehner in a rainy mess of a game.
She was 1-3 with a homer. She reached base on a walk as well.
Raelee Adkins also homered and she finished the day 1-3 with a ribbie.
Daphne Palumbo was 2-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Emersyn Massey was 2-2 with a walk and scored a run.
Salcedo was 2-3 with a walk, a double and two RBIs.
Dennis got the win in the circle. She struck out four batters, while walking six.
“It was a downpour and we couldn’t grip a ball,” Lampkin said. “We just ended up giving up some walks.”
Glendale
Washington worked over Glendale 23-2.
Abby Byrd started at pitcher and had two Ks in four innings of work.
Salcedo and Briley Beller homered.
The Warriors had triples by Dennis, Salcedo and Anna Mitchell.
Salcedo led the team with four RBIs and Dennis had three.
Joplin
Blackburn threw a one-hit shutout against Joplin Saturday.
Palumbo went 2-2 with a triple and three RBIs.
Massey was 2-3 with a triple and two RBIs.
Isabella Castillo was 1-2 with a triple and two RBIs.
“We hit seven home runs, which was pretty good because their fences are a lot deeper,” Lampkin said.
Jones
Washington finished out District play with a 12-2 win over Jones.
“It was a great way to finish Districts,” Lampkin said. “They played us closer than we wanted to last time. I’m really proud of those girls because they scored over 106 runs in District. That’s pretty impressive.”
Hoehner homered and drove in four runs.
Kinzlee Pogue was 2-4 with two doubles and four ribbies. Blackburn and Musgrove teamed up in the circle for the win.
Washington is 27-4.