Coeur d'Alene nabs first state berth since '16

MERIDIAN — The Coeur d’Alene Vikings traveled some 400 miles in their attempt to make it to the state softball tournament for the first time since 2016.

One seventh inning rally later, the Vikings will need to travel just 9 miles to play at state.

Madi Fernimen scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the seventh, lifting Coeur d’Alene past Meridian 7-6 in a state 5A play-in game Saturday at Mountain View High.

Skylar Burke doubled to start the rally in the seventh for the Vikings. Fernimen singled Burke to third. Hailey Lyons singled to right to score Burke. The Warriors tried to throw Fernimen out at third, but the ball got away from the third baseman, and Fernimen sped home.

“I’m really excited for our seniors,” first-year Coeur d’Alene coach Bobbi Darretta said. “We are just happy to be (going to state); we have nothing to lose. My girls could not be more excited, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

State is Friday and Saturday at Post Falls High.

Coeur d’Alene (11-8) opens vs. Highland (22-4-1) of Pocatello on Friday at 9 a.m.

Lyons hit a two-run homer in the third for the Vikings, and Natalie Sell struck out eight.

Meridian 100 103 1 — 6 10 1

Coeur d’Alene 012 020 2 — 7 10 1

1 out when winning run scored.

Jade Miller and Amber Pressie; Natalie Sell and Hailey Lyons.

HITS: Mer — Desloover 2, Gagnon, J. Overby, D. Overby, Godfrey, Huffer 2, Isaac 2. Cd’A — Fernimen 3, Blankenship 2, Lyons 2, Comack, Burke 2. 2B — Desloover, J. Overby, D. Overby, Godfrey, Isaac, Blankenship 2, Burke. HR — Lyons.

Melba 11

St. Maries 1

GRANGEVILLE — Allie Brebner singled and scored the Lumberjacks’ lone run on an error in the fifth inning of their loss to the Mustangs in a state 2A play-in game at Grangeville.

St. Maries, which finished third at last year’s state tournament, finishes 10-9.

Melba (21-3), which finished second at state last year, faces Declo in the opening round on Thursday at Moscow.

St. Maries 000 01 — 1 5 2

Melba 101 81 — 11 14 1

Game called in 5th inning due to 10-run rule.

Lexi Appell, Allie Brebner (4) and Madison Cordell; Cindy Reed and Andrina Webster. W — Reed. L — Appell.

HITS: SM — Ragan, Davenport, Brebner, Holder, Miller. Mel — Riley, Aldrich, Webster 2, Read 2, Mickelson, Bangerter 2, Dickard, Bunnell 2, Bowman 2. 2B — Mickelson, Riley.