This Tri-Cities team dominated 4A WA slowpitch softball field for back-to-back titles

Head coach Brian Thomas’ main goal was for his squad, the Chiawana Riverhawks’ slowpitch softball team, to have fun this past weekend.

Well, that’s what happened, as the Riverhawks — who finish the season at 23-2 — easily tore through the Class 4A competition en route to winning their second consecutive state championship in Yakima.

Chiawana went 3-0, beating North Creek 17-0; 10-running West Valley of Yakima 13-3; and pounding Central Valley 17-2 in the title game.

“There were a few times, in the first couple innings of that championship game, where I got a little nervous,” Thomas admitted Sunday night.

But the defense held tough through the entire tournament.

“Defense has always been this team’s strength,” said Thomas. “I’d be willing to bet that our outfield is the fastest in the state. And they all have strong arms.”

So congratulations to the following players: Daniela Balderas, Emma Dodson, Madison French, Gabriela Garza, Ebany Gomez, Kennedy McBride, Alyssa Melendez, Jessica Melendez, Samantha Melendez, Leah North, Adriana Rodriguez, Emily Torres, McKayla Trevino, Marisa Valdez, Marty Woolf, and Estella Zaro.

In the 3A state title game, it was an all-Greater Spokane League final, as University beat Mead 10-1 for the championship.

Walla Walla finished fourth with a 2-2 record.

▪ Chiawana also dominated the Mid-Columbia Conference all-conference team, which was released on Monday.

Of the 11 first-team spots on the squad, the Riverhawks had seven of them.

They are: sophomore pitcher Garza, sophomore outfielder Alyssa Melendez, sophomore infielder Jessica Melendez, sophomore outfielder Samantha Melendez, junior infielder North, junior outfielder Rodriguez, and utility player and senior Woolf.

Thomas was named MCC Coach of the Year, while Hermiston senior infielder Hailey South was named MCC Player of the Year.

Others making the first team are Walla Walla sophomore outfielder Anna Delarosa, Walla Walla senior infielder Raquelle Justice, Wa-Hi junior infielder Sara Justice, and Hermiston’s South.

CWAC football

Kory McClure tossed three touchdown passes, while Neo Madrano scored twice — on a 42-yard screen pass and a 62-yard fumble return — to lead Prosser over Selah 52-7 last Friday night.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is Prosser isn’t making the postseason playoffs. Only the top two teams in the Central Washington Athletic Conference got in. That would be Othello and Ephrata.

Othello, which finished its conference season undefeated with a 35-10 verdict over East Valley on Friday, takes the CWAC’s top seed.

The Huskies will play host to the loser of Tuesday’s Greater Spokane League mini-playoff opener, either Clarkston or Shadle Park. The Huskies’ game, as of Sunday night, is set for 7 p.m., Friday, and the winner will advance to the 2A state playoffs.

Meanwhile, Ephrata and Prosser finish tied for second place with a 4-2 CWAC record. However, by virtue of Ephrata beating Prosser 20-17 in overtime on Oct. 21, the Tigers earn the second crossover playoff seed.

Ephrata will take on the loser of Tuesday’s GSL second mini-playoff game — either Clarkston, Shadle Park or West Valley of Spokane — on the road for a regional crossover playoff game.

Prosser ends its season this Friday at home against Pullman in a non-league game.

FINAL 2A CWAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS

Othello 6-0 CWAC, 7-1 overall

Ephrata 4-2, 5-4

Prosser 4-2, 7-2

East Valley 3-3, 6-3

Ellensburg 3-3, 4-5

Selah 1-5, 2-7

Grandview 0-6, 1-8

Friday, Oct. 28

Clarkston 44, Grandview 0

Ephrata 28, Ellensburg 7

Othello 35, East Valley 10

Prosser 52, Selah 7

Friday, Nov. 4

Regional crossover: Clarkston or Shadle Park at Othello, 7 p.m. Friday (winner to state playoffs, loser out)

Regional crossover: Ephrata at Clarkston, Shadle Park or West Valley-Spokane, 7 p.m., Friday (winner to state playoffs, loser out)

Non-league: East Valley-Spokane at East Valley-Yakima, 6 p.m., Friday

Non-league: Grandview at Granger, 7 p.m., Friday

Non-league: Pullman at Prosser, Fiker Stadium, 7 p.m., Friday

CBC soccer

The Columbia Basin College men’s soccer team beat North Idaho 4-1 last week, clinching the NWAC East regular-season title and a first-round bye in the upcoming NWAC playoffs.

In the win over North Idaho, Johnny Ramirez, Raymundo Mendez, Gabriel Delgado and Jonas Olvera each scored goals for the Hawks,

The Hawks will host a second-round playoff game against either Clark College of Vancouver or Whatcom CC.

The game will be held at CBC on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The postseason begins this Wednesday, with four first-round matches.

▪ The CBC women also clinched the top spot in the East Region standings, going 12-1-1 (14-1-1 overall.

The Hawks earn a first-round by in the NWAC Championship tournament, so they won’t play until Saturday, Nov. 5, at home against the winner of Wednesday’s Highline-Skagit Valley playoff match.

The Hawks women will play at noon on Saturday, right before the CBC men’s game.