White Pine softball continues success with sweep over Laughlin

The Ladycats do not allow a run in either game against the Cougars to extend win streak.

The second half success for the White Pine High School softball continues to surge.

Last Friday, the Ladycats extended their winning streak to eight with a doubleheader sweep against the Laughlin.

In the first game, White Pine started early, scoring eight runs in the top of the first inning and before sophomore Paige Hayward could throw a pitch, en route to a 16-0 victory. Sophomore Layla Ruesch went 3-for-4 with a game-high five RBIs, a triple and two runs scored.

Overall, White Pine took advantage of four Cougar errors as the Ladycats posted a five-run third inning and a three-run fifth inning.

Senior Gianna Sedlacek and sophomores Camden Johnson and Adelaide Costello each recorded two hits and combined for seven RBIs.

In the circle, Hayward went the distance, going five innings while scattering two hits and two walks in 84 pitches. She struck out 12 hitters, which is a new season high for the sophomore.

The second game was much the same for the Ladycats with their strong pitching and the timely hitting to fuel an 11-0 win.

Sedlacek got the start, throwing all five innings. She allowed just one hit and gave up two walks while striking out seven.

Offensively, Sedlacek went 2-for-3 with an RBI. However, junior Cecilia Barbosa had a breakout game, going 3-for-4 in which all three of her hits were doubles. Barbosa also added two RBIs and three runs scored. Barbosa and Sedlacek also combined to steal two of the team’s seven stolen bases in the second game against the Cougars.

The two wins gave White Pine an 11-9 overall record with a 6-2 record in the 2A South, good for third place. The Ladycats are tied with Lincoln County for second place and are two games behind first-place Needles.

Up next, White Pine faces Needles Friday for a doubleheader, scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to try and cut into the margin and get into the league championship contention with a few weeks remaining.