Kelso Pulls Away Late for 11-3 Win Over Columbia River

KELSO, Wash. - Kelso High School broke through with four runs in the fifth inning to take a lead it would not relinquish, defeating Columbia River 11-3 in varsity slow-pitch softball Wednesday, September 30, in Vancouver. Kelso scored all 11 runs over the final three innings, backing a complete-game pitching performance by Milena Hooper.

Columbia River scored once in the first inning and held a 1-0 advantage through four as Kelso went scoreless in its first four innings. The four-run fifth changed the game for Kelso. Columbia River also scored once in that inning, leaving Kelso ahead 4-2 entering the sixth.

Kelso continued producing in the sixth, adding three runs while Columbia River scored one to make it 7-3 heading into the seventh. Another four-run inning completed Kelso’s scoring, and Columbia River finished with a scoreless seventh. Kelso totaled 18 hits, with six players collecting at least two.

Liberty Hatfield and Hooper each went 3 for 4 with three singles and a run scored. Hatfield also drove in a run. Aspyn Gravelle supplied a single and a double in a 2-for-4 performance, scoring once and driving in two runs. Gravelle’s double was Kelso’s only extra-base hit.

Evelyn Lockyear went 2 for 3 with two singles and a run, while Keisha Hayes finished 2 for 4 with two singles and a run. Kailynn Bolar added two singles in four at-bats, scored once and drove in a run. Addy Heuer, Gabby Muro, Bella Britt, Rosie Deseive and Skylar Sullivan each contributed a hit and a run, giving Kelso production throughout its lineup.

Hooper paired her three-hit offensive performance with seven innings in the circle, limiting Milena Hooper to three runs on six hits. She held the opponent scoreless from the second through the fourth innings, keeping the deficit at one before Kelso’s breakthrough. Hooper finished with four strikeouts and two walks while facing 32 batters.