Tigers see softball season end in Reno

RENO - The Douglas softball team's offense was in full force to start the Northern 4A Regional playoffs Thursday afternoon at Manogue High School.

The problem was, the Manogue Miners were performing at a level rarely seen, particularly in postseason play.

Manogue hit home runs on four of its first five hits of the game and blasted past Douglas 13-8. The Miners pounded out 12 hits and finished with five home runs in the game.

Douglas had to turn right around and play Galena in the loser's bracket, where the Tigers saw their season end with a 1-0 loss.

Against higher-seeded Manogue, Douglas quickly scratched together a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Manogue answered right back, getting a run on a blown pickoff attempt and a solo home run from Kayla Batastini, who finished 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs.

The Miners claimed a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the second on another home run but Douglas came back with a solid third.

Jenna Geyer got things going with a one-out single and moved to third on a single from Leonna Mortimer.

Katie Kluever drove them both home with a double and Kalee Duryee hit a two-out single to bring Kleuver around for the 5-2 lead.

Aaliyah Paxson singled to move Kendra Miller, running for Duryee, to second. Amanda Caras singled to bring Miller home for the 6-2 lead before the outburst ended.

Manogue came right back with a two-run home run that launched a seven-run third, putting the Miners up for good at 10-6.

Douglas closed the gap in the top of the fourth when Kelly Sonnemann led off with a double and came around to score on a single from Geyer.

Leonna Mortimer grounded into a fielder's choice with Geyer getting tagged out at third, and moved to third herself on a single from Kluever. Kluever stole second and Mortimer came in to score on the throw, cutting Manogue's lead to 10-8.

The Tiger offense dried up from there, though, and Manogue added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth.

In the elimination game, Duryee pitched a gem, allowing just a single run in the bottom of the third, but the Tigers couldn't muster any run support, stranding a number of baserunners in scoring position.