One good, tight ball game that nevertheless ended in a 3-2 loss was the highlight for the Wood River High School softball team (13-18) during the State 4A tournament Thursday and Friday in Pocatello.
Wood River (5 hits) got out to an early 2-0 lead over Lakeland in Thursday's opening game of the eight-team double elimination meet. But Lakeland (14-13) rallied with two runs in the third and one in the home sixth to win 3-2.
It was well-played softball by both teams, Wood River coaches said.
Josie Dawson belted an RBI double for Wood River in the first, scoring K.T. Martinez, then Taylor Gove doubled and scored on Martinez's RBI double in the second.
Friday, the Blackfoot Broncos (23-6) took advantage of 10 hits and eight Wolverine errors to oust coach Dale Martin's Hailey girls 15-3. It was a 2-2 game after four, but Blackfoot tallied 13 runs on eight hits in the final three frames.
Madison Gove led Wood River's nine-hit attack with two doubles. Top hitter Dawson (.500 for 2 games, triple) and senior captain Alex Lindbloom added doubles. Haylee Thompson ripped her first triple.
Junior pitcher Ali Levy (10-13) pitched five-plus innings after throwing six against Lakeland.
Mountain Home's fine class of eight seniors successfully defended their State 4A championship Saturday, beating league rival Kuna 3-1 and 9-8 in the championship games. Mountain Home (29-3) had lost 3-2 to Kuna (25-6-1) Friday and had to win three games Saturday to prevail.
