GRANITE FALLS — Granite Falls had two goals on Tuesday afternoon: Clinch the Cascade Conference title and do it on Senior Night. Both goals were accomplished as the Tigers swept second place Cascade, 9-3 and 17-7, in a doubleheader.
The Granite Falls bats were alive in both games, combining for 26 runs and 28 hits on the day.
Senior Haley Brennan paced the Tigers hitters in game one, going 3-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI. Brennan was also a home run away from the cycle in the game.
Catcher Peyton Spencer followed by batting 3-for-4 with with three RBI and two stolen bases.
Jamie Alexander — on her 18th birthday — was by far and away the star of the second game of the doubleheader. Alexander was a double away from the cycle herself, batting 3-for-4 with five RBI. Four of which game on an inside the park grand slam in the first inning.
For Granite Falls coach Candi Reeves, Tuesday’s games were full of both excitement and emotion. As her five seniors (Brennan, Spencer, Alexander, Mueller and Thomas) were playing their last regular season game in front of the home crowd,
“I’ve known some of these girls since seventh or eighth grade,” said Reeves. “And after these games some of them didn’t know whether to be excited or cry. I told them to do both.”
Reeves was also sure to mention that although her team — and her seniors — had been here before, that clinching the league was still a big moment.
“It’s an honor every year to clinch, and it’s not something that happens a lot,” Reeves said. “My girls were excited either way. The fact that it was Senior Night, and two years ago (these seniors) were 20-0. It doesn’t lessen the fact.”
When Reeves was asked and what was next for her team as they continue to districts she replied, “What’s next? It’s too exciting too think about. These are amazing kids. You throw them a challenge, and set the challenges high and they’ll achieve them.”
At Granite Falls H.S.
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Allie McCain and LuAnn Townley. Kimmy Martinez and Peyton Spencer. WP—Martinez (11-0). LP—McCain. 2B—Haley Brennan (GF), Kailyn Campbell (C), Taylor Turner (C). 3B—Brennan (GF), Caitlyn Munce (GF) 2, Jessica Mueller (GF). Records—Cedarcrest 11-3 league, 11-3 overall. Granite Falls 15-1, 15-1.
At Granite Falls H.S.
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Mccain, Harris (3), and Hall. Lauren Harding, Kimmy Martinez (5) and Peyton Spencer. WP—Harding (4-1) LP—McCain. 2B—Mikayla Engstrom (GF), Harding (GF). 3B—Haley Brennan (GF), Jamie Alexander (GF). HR—Alexander (GF). Records—Cedarcrest 11-4 league, 11-4 overall. Granite Falls 16-1, 16-1.
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