The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

RICHLAND - The WP Lady Tigers softball team kept their perfect league record by sweeping the Liberty Christian Patriots Saturday in Richland.

They got off to an explosive start with the bats and had the Patriots ten-runned by the top of the second inning in the opener.

Sophmore Jennifer Nichols took control from the mound in game one striking out six Patriots and only allowing one hit.

The Tigers combined their fierce swings for 18 total hits. Taylor Moon, Dionna Baker, and Hailey Goenen collected three hits a piece with Goenen slamming yet another one of her home runs. Alyssa Hafen, Sara Wilson and Katy Hofer gunned in two a piece.

They took the game in five innings due to the ten run mercy rule with a score of 18-0.

With a combination of freebies from the mound and hits that were heard around the world the girls started off game two in a similar fashion.

Starting the top of the third, the Tigers had a 10-0 lead. Rhianna Chapman brought in two previously walked batters and Goenen's double scored two more. Hafen once again put her base running smarts to use and stole home, while Ashley Wilson's line drive to third scored the sixth run of the inning for the Tigers, giving them a 16-0 lead.

Kazmira Grende threw two of her five strike outs of the day in the bottom of the third and snagged a grounder to complete the third out and the Patriots were left scoreless .

With a 16-run lead, Head Coach Angie Potts took the opportunity to get her younger players some varsity field time.

"This is a good time for them to get in there and get prepared so they're ready if they're needed in post season play," said Potts. "You never know if someone may get injured at any time so it's better to have the second string prepared."

Sophomore third baseman Katy Hofer pitched for first varsity inning Saturday with freshman Chelsey Brannock suiting up behind the plate.

Chapman tallied two hits in the second game and the youngsters allowed only two runs from the Patriots to secure a 16-2 victory.

The Tigers slugged out 32 total hits on the day from ten players to tally up 34 runs.

On Friday, April 29 the Tigers will take on the Dayton Bulldogs in Dayton at 4pm.

"Dayton is the closest team to us in the standings," said Potts. "We've got to take care of them to come out on top for Districts."