Trojans' time for title
TWIN FALLS - Junior Tori Schuler dashed home to score the clinching run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the celebration was on.
The Post Falls Trojans whipped the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies of Meridian 12-2 in the championship game of the state 5A softball tournament Saturday on a windy, snowy day at Twin Falls High. It's the Trojans' first state title in softball.
"It's one of the best feelings in the world," Post Falls senior second baseman Bri Joseph said. "I never expected it to happen, and I still can't believe it happened. But it's amazing."
Richelle Ashburn struck out 12 for Post Falls (18-9), and Ashburn, Rachel Collins and Heidi Mueller each drove in two runs in the game, called due to the 10-run mercy rule.
"The kids did a great job all weekend," said Post Falls coach Jack Foster, whose squad won four games without a loss by a combined score of 35-5. "These kids, we played our best softball the last two weeks, especially offensively and defensively. What got us over the hump was scoring some runs. Richelle has had to carry us at times, and the bats came alive this weekend. And it wasn't like it was one kid; in every game, it was like six, seven, eight kids getting hits."
Ashburn gave up her first home run of the season, a solo shot in the first inning, but answered by hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. Collins hit a two-run double to highlight a six-run fourth inning that broke the game open. Mueller and Katie King also had RBI singles in that inning.
Post Falls scored two in the sixth to end it with Schuler, who was courtesy running for Ashburn, scoring the state championship-clinching run.
"I think we just got really focused," said Ashburn, who pitched all four games at state. "We really put things into perspective, that we could win a state title, and that got everyone excited."
• A parade honoring the team is scheduled for today starting at 1 p.m. at Stan-Craft Boats on Seltice Way. The route will lead back to Post Falls High School, where a celebration is scheduled.
Rocky Mountain 100 010 - 2 5 4
Post Falls 211 602 - 12 10 1
Shinall-Kopczynski, Dean (3) and Josie Verity; Richelle Ashburn and Haley Walker. W - Ashburn (16-4). L - Shinall-Kopczynski.
HITS - RM - Nebel, Woodson, Murphy, Keele 2. PF - King 2, Collins, Ashburn 2, Litalien, Mueller, Kolar, Booth. 2B - King, Collins, Keele 2. HR - Nebel, Ashburn (2).