The Yakima Valley softball team boosted its playoff chances on Friday with a sweep of Spokane, taking sole possession of fourth place in the NWAC East. The Yaks broke out the lumber in the two-game set, collecting 21 hits and three home runs to improve to 7-5 in conference play (14-12 overall).

In game one, the Yaks scored two runs in the first inning before Emma Stamp delivered a grand slam in the fourth to propel her team to a 10-4 victory. Briley Ingram had a two-run single in the sixth, while Amidie Ochoa and Bailee Hancock each added RBI singles to help pitcher Glory Estabrook cruise to victory. Estabrook went the distance, striking out six and allowing three earned runs and seven hits. Stamp finished 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, and Abbygale Sheridan was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs.

YVC left no doubt in game two, scoring six runs in the first and five more in the fourth on the way to a 12-3 win in five innings. Tylee Cossitt launched a two-run homer to get the scoring started, Sheridan had a two-run single in the first, and Hancock uncorked a solo shot in the third.

Cossitt finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs, Hancock went 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs, Kylee Bradley was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs, and Madison Morrison and Ochoa each added a pair of RBI. Ingram picked up the win in the circle, allowing eight hits and three earned runs over five innings. She also went 2-for-3 with an RBI as YVC outhit Spokane, 12-8.

The Yaks will travel to fifth-place Treasure Valley on Friday, followed by a twin bill at last-place Blue Mountain on Saturday.