Tritons slug their way past Highline, Lower Columbia

SPOKANE -- The Edmonds CC softball team had to wait a day to start the NWAC championships, but that didn't seem to affect the team's hitters. In two games on Saturday, the Tritons plated 33 runs on 35 hits to slug their way past Highline College 16-8, and Lower Columbia 17-10. Edmonds is one of four teams to remain in the winners’ bracket heading into Sunday. They'll face another familiar opponent in Everett at noon Sunday at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane.

EdCC Softball, 2018 NWAC North Region Champions

Sophomore two-way stud Seli Aholelei pitched all innings from the circle, collecting both wins. She helped her own cause at the plate too going 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI in the Highline win, and 5-for-6 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI in Edmonds triumph over Lower Columbia. Both wins Saturday were characteristic of what the Tritons have done offensively all year -- they never go away, and capitalize on big innings.

EdCC scored 6 runs in the 3rd and another 6 in the 4th to pull away from Highline, ending the game after the 5th inning. After falling behind to Lower Columbia 1-0, Edmonds responded with a 9-spot in the the top of the 2nd to jump ahead. Their 4-run 7th inning sealed their win over the NWAC south region champs. Offensive stars for Edmonds on Saturday (two games) were:

• Chantelle Shimabukuro: 6-for-8, 5 runs scored, 8 RBI, HR
• Chasity Stalcup: 5-for-8, 6 runs scored, 5 RBI, 2 HR
• Tamia Hirano: 6-for-9, 6 RBI, 2B
• Kalei Cacho-Kekahuna, Kamalei Labasan, Nicole Manuel, and Taylor Shigeta also recorded multiple hits in at least one game. 

Edmonds (41-6) took all four games from Everett (30-16) this year, but the final scores did not reflect the tight contests that were played in each game. On April 10 at Everett, the Tritons prevailed with 7-2 and 6-2 victories. On May 12, both teams closed out the regular season at Edmonds with the Tritons topping the Trojans 7-1 and 3-2 in 9 innings. Watch the game live on the NWAC Sports Network.

With a win the Tritons would advance to the winners’ bracket final at 5 p.m. against the winner of (1) North Idaho vs. (4) Walla Walla. If the Tritons lose, they'll get the winner of (2) Douglas vs. (5) Bellevue at 2:30 p.m. and would need to win again at 5 p.m. to advance to Monday.

Highline box score | Lower Columbia box score | Link to Live Stats

NWAC Softball Championship website | Updated bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter