Coming into the Region V softball tournament on Thursday, each of the four games between the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears and Ketchikan Kings this season have come down to one run.
So when the Kings scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning against JDHS at Melvin Park to make it a 5-3 game, it appeared history would repeat itself for the fifth time this year.
Not so fast. Freshman Asianna Mazon started a four-run rally in the sixth inning against Ketchikan, breaking the game open and leading to a 10-3 Crimson Bears win.
Mazon’s textbook bunt scored pinch-runner Alyxn Bohulano from third — but JDHS didn’t settle there as four other Crimson Bears hit for one or more bases.
Junior Leah Spargo pitched five innings, struck out seven Kings and gave up six hits in the win.
“It was a good game for me, for sure,” Spargo said after the game. “I’ve had better, I’ve had worse, so yeah, this is a good game for me to come back.”
It’s been roughly a month since Spargo last pitched for the Crimson Bears as she continues to nurse a sore back. Spargo remained relaxed in her first regional tournament by, well, being a teenager.
“There’s some pressure there but I’ve realized that just having fun out there — like I laugh at myself for doing a bad pitch just to loosen the nerves,” she said, “because I do get nervous, definitely, but I try to keep it cool and have fun with it.”
Mia Loree pitched two innings in relief for Spargo and kept the Kings scoreless during that time.
Kings pitcher Taylor Moody went just over six innings, walked four and struck out two. Sophomore Jenna Miller, Kassi Montero and Payton Simmons all scored for Ketchikan.
Maddie Johnson, Abby Meiners and Morgan Balovich loaded the bases in the first inning before the bottom of JDHS’ order delivered three straight hits. Johnson, Meiners and Balovich all scored along with Elisa Fabrello and Ariana Connally to put JDHS up 5-1 in the first inning.
JDHS plays Thunder Mountain on Friday at 7 p.m. in the winner’s bracket. The Kings play Sitka at 4 p.m. Friday in an elimination game for both teams.
• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.
Junior Abby Meiners celebrates a hit with her teammates during JDHS’ 10-3 win over Ketchikan on Thursday, May 25 at Melvin Park. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
