Willows major softball all-stars in finals

On Monday, Willows and Paradise began a best-out-of-three series to determine the District 47 champion. Results of those games were not available at press time.

Against Durham, Rylee Smith pitched a complete game two-hitter and struck out four while only giving up two walks in leading Willows to victory.

Durham scored in the top half of the first inning after a leadoff double by Madison Schell, who later scored on an error.

Willows answered right back with a run in the bottom of the first. Natalie Massa singled, stole second and came home on Megan Hughes’ RBI single.

Durham took back the lead in the top of the third after scoring two runs on an error, a walk and a single.

Massa got her second hit of the game to start off the bottom of the third and moved to third on a single by Hughes. Massa later scored on a passed ball to cut the lead to one. Hughes stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. Samantha Brott reached base on a walk and stole second to put the tying and go-ahead runs on second and third with no outs.

Durham got a strikeout and a flyout on the next two hitters to quiet the Willows offense temporarily. Astin Keolanui stepped to the plate and delivered a two-out clutch single down the right field line to score Hughes and Brott and put Willows on top 4-3.

The single by Keolanui proved to be the gamewinner as Willows’ defense stepped it up and was able to get Durham down in order for the next three innings. Justine McCorkle, Massa and Keolanui made some great catches in the outfield to give Smith the support she needed to finish off the win.

Garet Hanson added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth. After a walk and stolen base, she scored on an RBI by Hughes.

Massa was 2-for-3. Hughes was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Delainy Ward was 1-for-2. Keolanui was 1-for-2 with two RBI.

In other major tournament play, Orland won its opener against Lake Oroville 4-3 on July 1, but then lost to Willows 20-14 on July 2. Durham eliminated Orland 10-9 on Friday.