Thunder Mountain High player Nina Fenumiai scores against Sitka in the Region V tournament on Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Courtesy photo | Sharla Hayes)

Thunder Mountain High player Nina Fenumiai scores against Sitka in the Region V tournament on Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Courtesy photo | Sharla Hayes)

Falcons softball quest for another title falls short

Ketchikan bests Thunder Mountain in regional championship

For the Thunder Mountain High School softball team, the Region V tournament ended the same way it began: with a loss to Ketchikan.

The Lady Kings defeated the Falcons in the first game of the tournament Thursday, sending TMHS to the losers’ bracket. The Falcons fought their way through that side of the bracket, including an 8-1 win over Sitka on Saturday morning, to advance all the way to the championship game.

In the title game — which took place at Moller Park in Sitka — Ketchikan scored first and didn’t let up, downing the Falcons 9-4 to earn a trip to the state tournament.

The Thunder Mountain High softball team poses for a photo after finishing second at the Region V tournament on Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Courtesy photo | Sharla Hayes)

The Thunder Mountain High softball team poses for a photo after finishing second at the Region V tournament on Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Courtesy photo | Sharla Hayes)

The top of Thunder Mountain’s lineup did what it could, as the top three batters each collected three hits. Nina Fenumiai, batting third, scored once and drove in a run along with her trio of hits (two of which were doubles).

Ketchikan starting pitcher Kayloni Bermudez went the distance, spreading out 12 hits over her seven innings of work and stranding six Falcon runners.

In the losers’ bracket, TMHS beat Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Sitka by a combined score of 17-2. In the Saturday morning victory against Sitka, Fenumiai threw a complete game, striking out two while allowing just the one run on nine hits. Leadoff hitter Mariah Tanuvasa Tuvaifale had two hits, including a two-run home run in the seventh against Sitka.

Thunder Mountain High softball players congratulate Mariah Tanuvasa Tuvaifale after she hit a home run against Sitka at the Region V tournament on Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Courtesy photo | Sharla Hayes)

Thunder Mountain High softball players congratulate Mariah Tanuvasa Tuvaifale after she hit a home run against Sitka at the Region V tournament on Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Courtesy photo | Sharla Hayes)

Fenumiai tossed 3 1/3 more innings in the championship game, relieving starter Kyra Jenkins Hayes, who lasted 2 2/3 innings against the Lady Kings.

Saturday’s loss puts an end to Thunder Mountain’s quest for a fourth straight state title. Just two teams in state history have won four state championships in a row since records began being kept in 1996: East Anchorage won four straight large schools crowns from 2012-2015, and Sitka won small schools crowns from 2010-2013.


• Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at amccarthy@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @akmccarthy.


More in Sports

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Riley Fick delivers a pitch against Sitka during the Crimson Bears 4-1 loss to the Wolves on Saturday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS in two battles Saturday with Sitka

Crimson Bears fall to Wolves in pair of pitching duels.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich is celebrated at home plate after hitting a home run against visiting Lathrop during the Crimson Bears’ 16-1 win over the Malemutes on Saturday at Melvin Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS’ sweeps Lathrop Saturday at Melvin Park

Crimson Bears securing conference standings over Malemutes

In this file photo JDHS junior keeper Alba Muir defends the goal against West Valley. Muir earned the Crimson Bears Hard Hat award for her play in Friday’s road game against Colony. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
JDHS soccer girls find Colony road series bumpy

Crimson Bears fall in two hard-fought matches against Knights

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys soccer team play to a 2-2 tie in their white travel jerseys against Colony on Friday in Palmer. (Photo courtesy Troy Bennetsen)
JDHS soccer boys play strong on the road at Colony

Crimson Bears battle Knights for conference lead

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cailyn Baxter won the girls long jump with a 16’1” effort during Saturday’s Capital City Invitational Track and Field meet at Juneau’s Thunder Mountain Middle School field. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Invitational ends with Saturday flourish

Athletes got funky as times shortened and distances lengthened

Gastineau Channel Little League players listen as Juneau Police Chief Derek Bos speaks during Saturday’s GCLL Opening Day, and field grand reopening and rededication at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
73rd opening day of Little League in Juneau honors namesakes at new Adair Kennedy Memorial Park

More than 430 players on 37 GCLL teams revisit tragic day in history with a field of dreams.

Golden-crowned sparrows come through town on their way to alpine nesting areas. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
On The Trails: Spring arrives

Spring is happening, very slowly but surely. Purple mountain saxifrage has been… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé batter Cassie Chenoweth eyes a pitch against Lathrop during the Crimson Bears’ 6-3 win over the Malemutes on Friday at Melvin Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS’ softball team splits with Lathrop

Crimson Bears top Malemutes 6-3, fall 11-1 at Miller Park.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé shortstop Brandon Casperson tags out Sitka runner Tyson Bartolaba on a throw from catcher JJ McCormick during the Crimson Bears’ 5-1 loss to the Wolves on Friday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS nine hold their own against Sitka

Crimson Bears fall to Wolves in opening home game 5-1.

Most Read