Despite making Bulldogs ace Violet Prince throw 114 pitches in five innings, the Beavers couldn’t generate enough offense and dropped an 11-1 verdict in their last Evergreen League matchup on Wednesday night.
Prince did finish with 12 strikeouts, but Tenino (7-13, 2-6 Evergreen) drew six walks, an aspect head coach Chris Johnson took as a positive with the postseason looming.
“I think (Violet) is one of the best pitchers in the state,” Johnson said. “We were able to make her work a little bit. Did a good job making her throw strikes and didn’t chase a lot of bad pitches.”
Montesano took control of the game with a seven-run top of the second and added two runs each in the fourth and fifth. Tenino worked a two-out walk and single, then Chloe Grayless scored on a passed ball.
The Beavers left the run that would have extended the game into the sixth on third base. Preslee Fisher had their lone hits on the day and Grayless drew two walks. Up next for them is a Friday showdown with King’s Way Christian.
It’s a matchup of Class 1A District 4 foes, one that Johnson feels will be a "gauge" on his group’s seed for districts.
“We knew they would be a contender down south,” he said.
