The perilous pathway to the 2013 Junior Little League Softball All-Star state championship was finally traversed by District 1 Mill Creek in a 10-7 if-necessary championship win against District 2 East Jefferson/Sequim at the Valley Ridge Ball Field #1 next to Tyee High School on Friday, July 19.

Much like the previous night's 10-7 win by EJS, this night of action showcased an exchange of spirited scoring bombardments early before the final curtain rang down on the seven team tournament hosted by District 7 Little League, which will host next season's Little League Majors Baseball state tournament. State champion Mill Creek moves on to the Western Region Junior League Softball tournament in Tucson, Arizona, Aug. 1-9.

"My girls never quit," said District 1 manager Page Dearborn. "We were disappointed after lat night, but were ready to play. I always tell the girls to give 'em hell and make 'em earn it. They want to win, but more importantly they have more fun just playing together."

Locked in a 4-4 duel after four complete innings, Mill Creek began to pull away for good in the top of the fifth inning with Marley Fischtziur singling from the leadoff spot. Two outs later, Taylor Hudson drew a base on balls ahead of an infield throwing error that placed runners on second and third base, respectively. From these positions it was easy for both runners to score on a single by Kristina Day.

District 2 answered with vigor in the bottom of the inning on a one-out, RBI double by Michelle Nesbit, but the damage was limited by East Jefferson/Sequim when right fielder Shannon Feagles threw to second baseman Haley Cottingham, who pegged to third baseman Fischtziur to cut down the runner trying to advance to third after the double. Then, a groundout ended the threat with Mill Creek ahead 6-5.

In the sixth Alyssa Avalos led off with a one-baser for District 1 and soon legged herself home on a tremendous triple by Cottingham. Sophia Stoddard singled home another run before the Mill Creek scoring was culminated on a run-scoring ground out by Fischtziur.

Kaylee Gumm walked and eventually reached home plate on a wild pitch to draw District 2 within 9-6 in the home half of the inning.

East Jefferson/Sequim was unable to close in any further in the seventh inning. Mill Creek's Day and Anna Golebiewski drew opening inning singles ahead of walk to Cottingham and scored a run on an infield throwing error. District 2's last gasp rally began with Bradyn Nelson being hit by a pitch. The next play put a damper on EJS hopes. Shanya Nesbit grounded to second baseman Sophia Stoddard, who was in unfamilar territory at second base.

"I don't usually play second base," she said. "I was kind of freaked out, but I just fielded the ball and concentrated on the tag (of the runner coming from first) and threw to first (for the double play)."
Cottingham had a full view of the play.

"I just turned and saw her get the ball," she related.

With a huge possibilty of scoring many runs lessened, District 2 still fought for a score. Michelle Nesbit doubled to center field and was tripled home by Ryley Eldridge. This was the last dieing sting from East Jefferson/Sequim as the next batter walked ahead of a game ending ground out.

Early scoring was ignited by Day opening up with a game initiating single. One out later, Avalos singled a run home. Using a stolen base, Avalos later scored when Cottingham roped a single to right field.

EJS answered the challenge in the bottom of the first. Jordan Bentz legged it out to first base after striking out by way of a passed ball. Following a wild pitch and steal of third base, Bentz scored on a ground out. Michelle Nesbit singled and later scored on an Eldridge one-baser that was also misplayed by the outfielder.

East Jefferson/Sequim grabbed the lead on an Eldridge RBI double and a sacrifice foul out by Chloie Sparks. On the quickly dropping foul, Mill Creek shortstop Day ran far afield to make an outstanding diving catch although District 2 now led 4-2.

Day's run-scoring triple and a double by Analos squared the fray at 4-4. District 2 squelched the possibility of an even bigger scoring surge when the next batter grounded to the first baseman Kaylee Gumm who threw to second baseman Shanya Nesbit for the out at first base. Nesbit then fired a strike to catcher Michelle Nesbit for a tag out at home. Next, came a ground out to keep the teams even going into the scintillating, conclusive innings.

Day, who batted batted 4-for-5 for Mill Creek, was ecstatic.
"I tried to do the best I could and give 110 percent," she said.

State champion Mill Creek is represented by players Alyssa Avalos, Grace Botham, Haley Cottingham, Kristina Day, Shannon Feagles, Marley Fischtziur, Anna Golebiewski, Taylor Hudson, Hanna Ouijdani, Emily (EEP) Pennylegion, Madison Podnar, Sophia Stoddard and Kiara Tucker.

Manager Dearborn is assisted by coaches Kristen Ryan, Kaitlyn Pittman and Ken Day.

The District 1 administrator is Ed Lundberg.

Teams participating in the tournament in addition to District 1 and District 2 were District 4 Cascade, District 6 Lewis River, District 8 NE Seattle/North Central/Roosevelt-University-Green Lake and District 10 Federal Way National.

For host District 7, Will Stedman is the administrator and Shawna Williams is the tournament director. In addition to these officials a number of people from District 7 volunteered their help, including a tournament committee which hopes to be augmented by even more members when District 7 host next season's 13-team Little League Majors state tournament at the Bar-S Fields in West Seattle.