Saturday's home doubleheader against Pierce started off well for the Yakima Valley softball team, which took a 6-0 lead through two innings. But the Raiders erased the Yaks' strong start with six runs in the third and four more in the seventh to claim game one by a score of 10-7.

Kassidy Van Soest went 2-for-4 with three RBI, including a run-scoring triple in the seventh, and Madalyn Telles finished 2-for-3 with an RBI double and three runs scored. Cheyenne Justice, Ellie Urlacher and Cheyenne Linge each had a bases-loaded walk in the five-run first inning as the Yaks were outhit 9-6. Van Soest went the distance in the circle, giving up 10 earned runs and three walks while striking out six.

The Yaks fell behind 5-1 early in game two, but clawed back one run in both the third and fourth inning and two more in the sixth before falling 7-5. Abbygale Sheridan, Justice and Telles delivered two hits apiece, Arissa LeBaron drove in a pair of runs, and Van Soest added a fielder's choice RBI as YVC was outhit 14-10. Starter Kathryn Prest pitched six innings, allowing 14 hits, seven runs and three walks to go with five strikeouts.

Now 2-8 in the preseason, the Yaks will look to bounce back at an NWAC Crossover tournament this weekend in Pasco. They will take on Douglas and Umpqua on Saturday and wrap up with Clark and Skagit Valley on Sunday.