The Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears fell to Ketchikan High School, 26-13, on Friday at the Region V softball tournament. The loss, taken through a steady rain at Ketchikan’s Dudley Field, bounced JDHS out of the double-elimination tournament.
Kayhi advanced in the losers bracket, setting up a match against the loser of a TMHS, Sitka game to be played Friday afternoon.
The rain challenged pitchers on both sides to secure the ball and throw strikes in a game that lasted more than three hours. Kayhi took advantage of errors and walks in the sixth, hitting 19 runs in an onslaught that sealed the victory.
The Crimson Bears didn’t hang their heads about a game that turned on one tough inning, coach Lexie Razor said.
“I’m extremely proud of the effort and heart that my girls showed today. Things did not go our way but we never stopped fighting or playing. Tough end to the season, but nothing we should hang our heads about,” Razor said.
The game opened on a positive note for the Crimson Bears, who controlled the lead through the first five innings. Asianna Mazon, Mackenzie Jackson, Morgan Balovich and Mia Loree all tallied RBI in the first inning, with JDHS taking a 6-2 advantage after one frame.
Kayhi worked their way back with runs in the third and fifth innings, closing JDHS’ lead to 11-7, but the Kings opened the game up in the sixth. Many of Kayhi’s 19 runs in that inning came on walks and defensive mistakes from the Crimson Bears.
After loading the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth, Kayhi scored two on an error to tie the game 11-11. The Kings’ Jahleah Schultz batted in two more on a hard-hit double to right field, bringing the score to 13-11. Kayhi would go on to double their total in the inning, with three runs coming from a Payton Simmons home run to right field.
JDHS was nominally the home team, so mercy rules require that they finish batting in the bottom of the sixth. The Crimson Bears were able to nab two runs back before Kayhi earned three outs to close the game in six innings.
JDHS’ Leah Spargo started the game on the mound for the Crimson Bears, throwing six strikeouts on five innings pitched.
Loree led the game for the Crimson Bears from the plate, going 3-4 for four RBI while scoring two runs.
• Contact reporter Kevin Gullufsen at 523-2228 and kgullufsen@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @KevinGullufsen.
