NWAC Softball Title Decided Today

Tritons Must Win Three to Win Championship

SPOKANE -- Edmonds' softball comeback fell short against No. 1 ranked North Idaho and if the Tritons are going to win the school's first NWAC championship since 1980, they are going to have to do it the hard way. A 7-5 setback against North Idaho in the late game Sunday dropped the Tritons into the losers' bracket. Edmonds needs to win three straight on Monday, starting with an 11 a.m. game against Lower Columbia (41-13). The Tritons beat LCC 17-10 earlier in the tournament. The winner advances to the championship round and must beat North Idaho (49-3) twice to secure the title.

Seli Aholelei leaves the yard against NIC
photo courtesy Dan Acosta

The three teams left are all region champions -- Edmonds from the North, NIC the East and LCC the South. Edmonds fell behind 5-0 against North Idaho after four innings, but closed to within two on a Seli Aholelei home run, her third of the tournament. NIC added two in the sixth and the Tritons came back with two to stay within reach going into the seventh, but Cardinals reliever Audrey Seipert retired three straight to secure the win.

Nicole Manuel continues to swing a hot bat; she went 2-for-3 with a double.

Edmonds lost designated player Kalei Cacho-Kekahuna when she slid back into first after an out and cut her lower leg, which required several stitches. Edmonds (42-7) will place in the top-three regardless of how they fare today.

Watch Edmonds and Lower Columbia live >>

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