West Linn tops Lakeridge in Three Rivers League softball thriller

In a high-stakes Three Rivers League softball showdown, West Linn picked up a 10-8 win over Lakeridge on Wednesday, April 17, at Lakeridge High School.

The Lions swiftly took control during the top of the first as senior Charlotte Brooke's double drove in two runs.

From there, West Linn extended its lead in the second inning, adding two more runs thanks to some heads-up baserunning and a sacrifice fly by junior Emery Curtis. Midway through two, the Lions already led 4-0.

In the top of the third, West Linn extended its lead yet again as junior Meg Allen doubled to center to make it 5-0.

Lakeridge finally fought back in the third, scoring four total runs as senior Delaney Hoyle's three-run homer energized the home crowd and brought the score to 5-4.

Ultimately, Lakeridge's Lauren Beach tied the game with a solo home run during the fourth inning.

From there, the two teams traded clinical defensive frames until the seventh, where West Linn surged ahead again.

Senior Rylee Gaustad's two-run shot gave the Lions an initial lead, then Curtis reached on an error, Brooke tripled, scoring another run, and Curtis reached home on a sacrifice by senior Gracie Gabel.

Lakeridge mounted a late comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs to cut the deficit to 10-8, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.

Lions freshman Avery Wolf and junior Audrey Tiffaney split pitching duties, while Hoyle pitched a complete game for Lakeridge.

With the win, West Linn improved to 14-1 overall and maintained a perfect 4-0 record in Three Rivers League play. Lakeridge fell to 10-4 overall and 2-2.