Cashmere split its final regular season doubleheader on Thursday, hosting Kiona-Benton in SCAC fastpitch softball action.
The Bears took the opener 11-7, but the Bulldogs responded emphatically in game two with a dominant 12-1 victory in five innings.
With the split, Cashmere closes the regular season at 13-6 overall and 10-6 in SCAC play, finishing tied for third place in the conference with Kiona-Benton. The Bulldogs now turn their attention to postseason play, with the District 5 Tournament set to begin Saturday, May 9 in Walla Walla. Tournament seedings will be announced Wednesday, May 6.
In game one, Kiona-Benton built a 5-3 lead through three innings and added two more runs in the fifth. Cashmere answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut the deficit to 8-5, but the Bears held on for the 11-7 win.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs put together an impressive offensive performance. Junior Gwen Ledesma led the way, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, three runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base. Senior Macie Zimmerman added three hits, finishing 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Senior Ella Kenoyer drove in four runs, while Reylin Boyd scored twice. Kat Hansch also contributed with an RBI.
Cashmere’s offense erupted in game two and never looked back. The Bulldogs plated six runs in the first inning, followed by three runs in both the second and third innings, and added another run in the fourth to secure the run-rule victory.
Kenoyer stayed hot at the plate, reaching base in all four of her appearances and going 2-for-2 with a double, three runs scored, and two RBIs. Zimmerman continued her strong day, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, three runs, and an RBI. Ledesma added two hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored, while Logan Hatmaker drove in two runs. Reylin Boyd collected two hits and scored twice, and Hansch chipped in with an RBI and a run scored. Tryniti Collum and Peyton Irelan each added a hit in the win.
Zimmerman was equally impressive in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just two hits. She struck out five and walked only one in a dominant performance.
