Rebels hit a wall, fizzle out at state softball

June 3, 2009 3:45 pm
Juanita’s Taylor Paddock hits a single off North Central Kilee Brown Friday at the state softball tournament in Tacoma.
Juanita’s Taylor Paddock hits a single off North Central Kilee Brown Friday at the state softball tournament in Tacoma.

Juanita entered the state championships at SERA Fields in Tacoma with a record of 22-1, undefeated against 3A competition and riding a 20-game win streak.

None of that mattered to the Mount Rainier girls.

The Rams blanked Juanita 6-0 in the opening round of the state tournament, sending the top-ranked Rebels into the consolation bracket on the first day of competition.

Mount Rainier was able to get to Juanita star pitcher Kylie Sparks, who held a record of 20-1 before the Rams game, and she was tagged with the loss.

Juanita rebounded to beat North Central of Spokane 8-5 but were knocked out of the tournament by Union, who beat the Rebels 10-0.

Kadi and Jamie Henderson did plenty of damage for the Titans; Kadi went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a home run while Jamie added three hits for Union, who pounded out 14 in the game.

Sparks took the loss again for the Rebels (23-3).

The Titans ended up finishing third in the tournament.

Bainbridge won the state championship, beating Holy Names 6-2.