The Kentwood fastpitch team needed a bounce-back win Tuesday afternoon.
And thanks to the right arm of ace Kirsten Shreve and the bat of Alex Lucas, the Conquerors got it.
Shreve allowed just two hits, struck out 10 and went the distance in the circle, leading Kentwood past rival Tahoma in a 10-inning South Puget Sound League North Division showdown, 3-2.
Tahoma and Kentwood played to a 0-0 tie through nine innings and were forced to decide the outcome by using the international tiebreaker, which puts a runner at second base to lead off the 10th inning and every inning thereafter if the tie still has not been broken.
Tahoma appeared poised for the upset, plating a pair of runs in the top of the 10th. Kentwood, however, struck for three runs in the bottom half of the 10th. Lucas delivered the big hit for the Conquerors, ripping a two-run triple to help Kentwood seal the win.
The win came just days after Kentwood (6-1 in league, 8-2 overall) lost a 12-11 heartbreaker to first-place Kentwood.
“This was an important win (for us) to get back on track after the Kentlake game,” Kentwood coach Jason Wisor said. “A win like this is really important and gives us confidence that we are never out of games.”
Kentwood continued to surge Wednesday, knocking off Federal Way, 8-2. Kayla Evans went the distance in the circle in the win over the Eagles and struck out 13 batters. She added three hits and three RBIs as well.
Against Tahoma, Shreve was nearly matched in the circle step for step by Tahoma freshman Sammii Jimenez. Jimenez went the distance for the Bears (5-4,8-7), striking out seven and allowing just three hits. Jimenez also collected both of Tahoma’s hits.
Tahoma coach Tom Milligan remained upbeat despite the loss.
“This was the best game that we’ve played over the last four years,” Milligan said.
Tahoma lost shortstop Tori Dudley to a knee injury in the sixth inning, when she collided with Kentwood baserunner. The extent of Dudley’s injury is not yet known, Milligan said.
Despite the loss to Kentwood, Tahoma bounced back itself in a big way on Wednesday, pounding Kent-Meridian, 17-0.
• ALSO: Kentridge pounded out 17 hits on Tuesday in a 21-0 victory against Kent-Meridian. Lauren Suguro led the attack, going 4 for 5 with a pair of doubles, a triple, five runs scored and six RBIs. Kentridge’s Chelsea Alfano also enjoyed a banner day, going 3 for 4 with a double, triple, four runs scored and three RBIs. The Chargers remained hot on Wednesday, holding off Jefferson, 4-3. Nicole Barger and Rhianna Wallace each tallied three hits in the win. … Kentlake, which was rained out Tuesday night against Jefferson, remained unbeaten on Wednesday with a 8-0 win over Decatur. Caitlyn Duggan went the distance in the circle for the Falcons (6-0, 10-0) and hit a home run.
