The Washington Warriors defeated Cascia Hall 11-1 and 11-10 in the Super Regional (Area) tournament to advance to the State tournament.

It’s Washington’s third consecutive trip to State.

They won the previous two Class 3A State championships and the tournament will be familiar territory for the seasoned ball club.

“It’s just exciting to be back three years in a row,” said Warrior head coach Jeff Kulbeth. “That’s never been done here before.”

The Warriors were a bit of a tale of two teams getting out of the Super Regional.

They were treated to a fantastic display by senior pitcher Tristin Babbitt.

He gave up one hit and walked a batter while striking out nine Commandos.

“We played really well on defense in that first one,” Kulbeth said. “We capitalized on some of their mistakes. Tristin had a good outing.”

Washington scored in the first inning but neither team scored again until the fourth when Cascia scored one and the Warriors hung four runs.

Washington secured the run-rule victory in the fifth when they put up a six spot on Cascia.

Easton Berglan was 2-3 with three RBIs. He also walked and scored two runs.

Dax McCaskill was 1-2 and reached base in the fifth when he was hit by pitch.

Case Taylor’s double in the fifth inning set the table for Washington when he drove in Kade Norman and McCaskill.

Berglan sealed the deal when he drove in Marlon Moore, who was the game-winning run.

Find a way

Washington didn’t have an easy of time in the second game against Cascia Hall.

They scored two runs in the first inning and jumped out to a lead.

But Cascia scored six runs in the third inning to take command of the game.

Berglan came into the game in a tight spot and got the final two outs of the inning.

“Easton came on and settled in and threw really well for us,” Kulbeth said. “It was a great moment for him with what he’s been through.”

Berglan struck out seven batters in 4 2/3 innings of work.

“Cascia Hall hit it pretty well in the game,” Kulbeth said. “And we didn’t play well defensively at times. They just capitalized.”

Washington got themselves back in the game in the fifth inning when they scored seven runs.

“We had some really good at-bats and fought and scratched and clawed and found our way back in it,” Kulbeth said.

Washington batted through their lineup in the inning and they took what was given to them, along with a couple of timely hits.

After going up 10-7, Cascia Hall tied it up in the same inning.

McCaskill was hit by pitch again and gave the Warriors a base runner in the seventh inning.

He stole second base to put himself into scoring position.

Marlon Moore knocked in McCaskill on a hard hit ball to the second baseman and McCaskill scored from second base while Moore legged out the infield single.

It allowed the Warriors to regain the lead, for good this time.

Moore was 4-5 with two RBIs.

Berglan was 2-4 with two ribbies.

The Warriors now wait on assignments for the State tournament.

The sub-sites will be in the Oklahoma City area while the finals will be held in Shawnee.

Washington is 31-4 this season.

“We’ve had 30-plus wins in each of the last three years,” Kulbeth said. “Hopefully we have three more wins in us.”