The Sunnyside Grizzlies’ slowpitch softball postseason came to an end after a tough 12-2 loss to the West Valley Rams on Oct. 16.
The Grizzlies opened their playoff run with a strong 12-0 shutout win over the Wenatchee Panthers on Oct. 14, but were unable to overcome the Rams’ offense in their second postseason matchup.
In the first-round win, Sunnyside’s bats came alive in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs to seal the victory. Makenna Castro and Auti Fernandez each hit RBI singles, Lili Briones homered to center field for three runs, Taylor Hazzard added an RBI single, and Lily Cardenas hit a sacrifice fly to bring in another run.
The Grizzlies got on the board early in the first inning when Janiah Rodriguez doubled to center, followed by an RBI single from Martha Garibay. Walks by Cardenas and Dahlia Mancias each brought in a run.
Kayla Murray extended the lead in the second inning with an RBI single, putting Sunnyside up 5-0.
Cardenas earned the win in the circle, allowing four hits and no runs over five innings while striking out two. The Grizzlies totaled 14 hits, led by Murray, who went 3-for-3. Briones drove in three runs, and Rodriguez, Garibay, Hazzard, and Fernandez each collected multiple hits. Sunnyside also played solid defense, turning one double play and committing no errors.
Against West Valley, the Grizzlies fell behind early as the Rams put up six runs in the first inning, aided by a string of errors and RBI singles from Claire Saxton-Garza and Lauren Lewis.
West Valley added another run in the second inning on a double by Madi Statler, and five more in the fourth to secure the win.
Cardenas started for Sunnyside, allowing 13 hits and 12 runs—only three earned—over four innings. Fernandez led the Grizzlies at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Isela Silva also drove in a run.