The Yakima Valley softball team took to the field for three bonus games last week after earning the No. 15 seed for the NWAC Championships. The Yaks started tournament play Thursday morning against No. 2 seed and eventual champion Mt. Hood, falling 8-3 after giving up three runs in the first, one in the second and four in the third.

Madison Kennedy hit a two-run home run in the fourth and a solo shot in the sixth, finishing the game 2-for-4 with three RBI. Emma Stamp was 2-for-3 as the Yaks were outhit, 11-8. Starting pitcher Claire DeVries surrendered five hits and four runs in her one inning, while Briley Ingram gave up five hits and four runs in 1 1/3. Glory Estabrook pitched the final 3 2/3 innings, striking out three and allowing just one hit.

The Yaks came back in the afternoon and shocked league rival and No. 7 seed Treasure Valley by a score of 9-0 in five innings. Linnea Butler got the scoring started with a solo homer in the second inning and Kennedy drilled another long ball to kick off the eight-run fourth. Avery Olauson, DeVries and Kennedy each had RBI singles in the inning, while Makynzee Taylor added a two-RBI double and Stamp brought home a run on a fielder's choice.
Kennedy finished 2-for-3 with three RBI, Butler was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Taylor was 2-for-3 with two RBI. DeVries earned the win in the circle, striking out three and allowing two hits and two walks over three innings. Estabrook tossed the final two frames, striking out three and allowing one hit.

The victory pitted the Yaks against No. 8 seed Clackamas, but they were unable to keep up the momentum, falling 10-2. The Cougars scored three runs in the first, one each in the second, third and fourth, and four runs in the fifth to close out the game. YVC scored both of its runs in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Kennedy and Ingram. DeVries pitched the first inning, allowing two hits and three unearned runs. Ingram struck out three and gave up five hits and three earned runs over three innings, and Estabrook surrendered four hits and four earned runs in the decisive fifth inning. YVC was outhit by Clackamas, 11-7, and finished the season at 11-33 overall.