Lady Tigers clinch conference title, district #1 seed

The Mountain Home Lady Tigers picked up two more conference softball wins last week, and in so doing, clinched the conference championship and number one seed heading into next week's District III 4A Softball Tournament at Emmett.

Mtn. Home 15

Columbia 6

The Lady Tigers scored nine runs in the second inning last Tuesday and it proved to be more than enough as Mountain Home beat Columbia 15-6 at Memmelaar Field in Mountain Home.

Up 11-0 after three, Lady Tiger softball coach made some changes and had Blas Lord take over the pitching.

The Lady Wildcats got to Lord for six runs in two innings, as they pulled to within five, 11-6. Nickayla Skinner returned to the pitcher's mound for the final two innings, and blanked Columbia the rest of the way, while the Lady Tigers extended their lead for a 15-6 final.

Lady Tiger softball coach Chris Asbury was pleased to get the win.

"The girls did a very good job, and a confidence builder as we get ready to close out the season and head into district.

"Once we got the big lead, we decided to make some switches. We might get into a situation in district or state play where Blas may have to come in, and I have the utmost confidence in her. Our defense doesn't play particularly well behind her, but that's something that we're working out, and very proud of their effort."

Kelsie Hopkins and Jennica Quintal both had three hits for Mountain Home. Hopkins had two doubles and two RBIs, and Quintal had one double and four RBIs.

Charde Huntington had two hits including a double and drove in two runs, Courtney Christiansen, Nickayla Skinner, Arlene Futch, Blas Lord, Ashley Christiansen, Lindsey Sessions and Madison Siefferman all had hits, Courtney Christiansen had two RBIs, and Skinner had a double and one RBI.

Skinner pitched five scoreless and hitless innings to get the win, her 14th against just one loss.

Lady Tigers 5

Skyview 1

Mountain Home got to Stephanie Dyer for five runs in the first three innings, and it proved to be more than enough as the Lady Tigers downed Skyview, 5-1, Thursday night at Skyview.

Kelsie Hopkins doubled in two runs in the first inning, after Charde Huntington and Nickayla Skinner had walked. Mountain Home added two more in the second inning, and Ashley Christiansen's RBI single in the third capped off the Lady Tigers' scoring on the night.

Skyview's lone run came in the bottom of the third inning, as the Lady Hawks managed to get three hits off Nickayla Skinner in the inning.

Skinner gave up six hits in the ball game and struck out 14 batters to improve to 15-1 on the season.

Madison Siefferman had two hits in the game, Kelsie Hopkins had her RBI double, Ashley Christiansen her RBI single, Arlene Futch, Lindsey Sessions and Blas Lord also had hits. Jennica Quintal had an RBI.

Coach Asbury was pleased with the way they jumped out to an early lead.

"I was proud of the gals for getting the early lead, that was the goal, and it's the goal every night -- put some runs up and let Nick go to work. I'm not sure how many we left on base or in scoring position, but we definitely have got to clean that up, come through in the clutch and most likely we will see them again at district."

Coach Asbury was also pleased that the win sewed up the conference championship. "It feels good with a week left in the season to wrap that up. That means Senior Night we can go out there having fun and celebrating our seniors, and then the big showdown with Emmett to end our season. Conference champs or not, we're going there to beat 'em!"

The Lady Tigers improved to 12-0 in conference, and 16-4 overall.