Colfax, Colton split at McDonald Park

Colfax and Colton softball teams split a non-league double Tuesday at McDonald Park as both teams tuned up for the playoff trail.

The Bulldogs edged Colton 5-4 in the first game with the Wildcats booking two runs for a charge in the top of the seventh inning.

Colton dropped Colfax 7-2 in the twilight closer with a six-hit attack. Pitcher Josie Schultheis held the Bulldogs to just two hits in the second game.

Colfax had another non-leaguer booked at home against Pomeroy Wednesday before their first playoff round which will bring Davenport here for a North vs. South round in the NE. That will be followed by the big playoff rounds May 18 at the Franklin Field complex in north Spokane.

Tuesday Colfax scored five runs in the first inning with Jorja Koerner throwing the win. The Bulldogs took the win with just five hits.

Colton's Emily Schultheis fanned 10 Bulldog batters and and walked six for the loss.

Schultheis led Colton's 11 hits with a tripled and a single. Rylee Vining, Abby Kelly, and Maggi Fluid each had two singles

All five of the Colfax hits were singles.

Schultheis struck out 12 Colfax batters while throwing the two-hitter in the second game.

Taylor Thomas led the Wildcats' six-hit offense with a double and single.

Justice Brown walked one Colton batter and struck out three in pitching all seven innings for the Bulldogs.

Last Thursday, Colfax hammered Davenport, the team they are slated to host for the first NE playoff round Tuesday.

Colfax prevailed 14-2 and 18-2.

Koerner pitched for the Bulldogs and allowed zero walks for both games which were each shut down after four innings on the 12-run lead rule. She struck out four Gorillas and allowed two hits in the first game.

Colfax led 9-1 after two innings and added six runs in the third. Koerner homered and singled, and Helina Hahn homered and doubled to lead the 12-hit Colfax offense. Anni Cox and Abby Lobdell each had two singles.

In the second game, Koerner fanned two Gorillas and allowed seven hits.

Colfax opened with an 11-run blitz in the first inning and capped it with seven runs in the last two innings.

Harper Booth hit four-for-four in her varsity debut. Cox had two doubles in the second game, and Koerner rapped a double and two singles.