Warriors claim Beast of the East Tournament title

The Washington Warriors went 4-0 to claim the Beast of the East slow-pitch tournament over the weekend.

The tournament field included some of the top teams in the state.

Washington defeated Class 5A No. 19 Byng 9-1 in the opening game.

Washington got out to a 6-1 lead and put it on cruise control the rest of the way.

Tinley Lucas and Maggie Place each had three RBIs in the game.

Washington then beat Class 3A No. 10 Hobart 11-0.

Elly Allison and Place each launched two homers.

Over the course of the tournament Allison had eight home runs, Place had six and Lucas parked three dingers.

“We had some games that were really good,” said Warrior head coach Tylor Lampkin. “We played some really good defense on Thursday and Friday.”

Sophomore pitcher Alexis Gay has been a big part of the defensive success.

“Alexis has done some really good things at pitcher,” Lampkin said. “She throws the ball with a high arc and it’s making other teams struggle.”

The coach was also high on the play of junior Ellie Loveless.

“She made two of the best plays that I’ve ever seen a high school kid make,” he said.

Latta

Washington captured a come-from-behind 14-13 win over Class 3A No. 1 Latta on Saturday.

Washington was down 13-8 heading into the bottom half of the final inning.

They started chipping away at the deficit with a home run by Allison, followed by hits from Lucas and Isa Portillo.

Down a run and needing a spark, Lampkin called Skylar Wells’ number to pinch hit in the eight hole.

She came through in clutch fashion with a double to put the tying run on base.

A couple batters later Lampkin called on another pinch hitter in freshman Addy Larman, who delivered in momentous fashion with a two-run walk-off homer.

Ball game.

“It was awesome for her,” Lampkin said.

With the win, Washington advanced to the finals against Class 2A No. 2 Caddo where they won 13-3.

Allison went off with three home runs and finished with a five RBI day.

Washington also got homers from Loveless, Lucas and Place in the game.

“It was a great field of teams,” Lampkin said of the competition at the Beast of the East. “We’re slowly getting better and we’re getting more consistent with the bat and on defense. We have to get there.”

The Warriors are 7-1 this season and ranked No. 2 in Class 4A.