For the first time in school history, the Lakeview softball team is bringing home a state championship after beating Grant Union/Prairie City 5-2 in the state championship game on Friday afternoon at Jane Saunders Stadium.
The Prospectors struck first on Friday afternoon. Riley Robertson hit a single to right field to score one.
The Honkers responded in the top of the third inning. To get Lakeview on the board, Eliane Hansen scored on a sacrifice fly by Annikah Tacchini. Later in the inning, Bridget Shullanberger scored on an error to give Lakeview the lead.
Lakeview added to its lead in the top of the fifth inning as Jaila Jackson hit an RBI double to make it a 3-1 game.
After being held scoreless for five innings, Grant Union finally put up another run after Riley Robertson hit an RBI single out to center field to score one.
But the Honkers quickly pulled ahead in the top of the seventh inning. Tyler McNeley scored on a sacrifice fly by Jackson. At the next at-bat, Tacchini scored on a bunt single by Raven McLain to make it a 5-2 game.
Grant Union did not go away quietly. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Ava Gerry scored on a sacrifice groundout by Addy Northway. But the Honkers were able to hold strong for the final out.
Jackson was the top offensive threat for Lakeview, with two hits and two RBIs. Shullanberger had two hits and scored one run.
McNeley pitched all seven innings for the Honkers, allowing nine hits, two earned runs, walking one and striking out 10.
Robertson led the Prospectors at the plate, with two RBIs on two hits. Harli Grove has three hits.
Drew Williams pitched a strong seven innings for Grant Union, allowing eight hits, one earned run, walking one and striking out 15. The Prospector defense accumulated six errors.
On top of the title win, the Honkers also got a little revenge over the Grant Union on Friday. The two played a double-header on April 20 at Lakeview, which the Prospectors swept 3-0 and 12-5. Since then, the Honkers’ only loss came to Class 3A powerhouse Burns on April 29.
The Prospectors, the top-ranked team in the state tournament, finish their season with a 26-1 record. Their only previous loss this season came from Class 4A’s La Grande.
Friday was both team’s first time playing in the state championship game.
— Nik Streng, nstreng@oregonian.com, @NikStreng
