Clarkston, Pullman each rally to split 2A GSL softball doubleheader

"They got a lot of heart, and they're gonna fight," Wilson said of her team. "They battled."

Pullman rallies in Game 2

In some ways, Game 2 was a reverse of Game 1, with Pullman being the team to battle back after Clarkston led 4-1 early.

Part of what pulled the Hounds back into the game was the stellar pitching of Bailee Randall, who came in as relief in the fifth inning.

Randall closed the game out with five strikeouts, allowing one run (none earned) on one hit.

Fishback said that Randall's hard work during practices showed on Tuesday.

"Honestly, for a sophomore, she is one that puts a lot of time in in the offseason, and that definitely you can tell," Fishback said. "She's just somebody that is stellar, and she's our ace. She's an ace pitcher. We really just count on her. She did great tonight. She really had to fight through a lot of grit and to come back and even finish out this last game too. She did great."

Randall said the energy of the team shifted in the second game, which helped her in the circle.

"I was able to keep going after a rough first game," Randall said. "We had more energy and we were up, and so that helped me get outs."

Randall also had a solo-shot homer and a triple in the game.

Juliana Stewart had two doubles and one RBI for the Greyhounds.

Randall's home run tied the game up at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning, and then Lily Wheatley had a sacrifice fly to score Stewart later in the inning to give Pullman the lead at 5-4.

Clarkston tied it up again at 5-5 in the top of the sixth. The Bantams had two walks, forced an error and then Blaydes hit into a fielder's choice to score a run.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Greyhounds scored the last run of the game after a sacrifice fly by Stewart to center field gave Pullman the final lead at 6-5.

The Clarkston offense was stymied by Randall in the top of the seventh to close the game.

What's next?

The Hounds will play in another 2A GSL doubleheader at noon on Saturday at West Valley of Spokane Valley.

Fishback said she was extremely proud of her team and is excited to keep going, hopefully to make it to the postseason.

She said the Hounds have to stay focused for the rest of the season.

"Just keep getting good reps at practice, and just trying to keep the same focus and always just being reflective," Fishback said.

The Bantams will also play in another 2A GSL twinbill against North Central of Spokane at 2 p.m. Saturday in Clarkston.

Wilson said the plan for the rest of the season is to stick close as a team.

"Just keep it going," Wilson said. "We keep battling together game by game."

GAME 1

Clarkston 103 013 6—14 12 2

Pullman 070 030 0—10 9 3

O. Tannahill and M. Gillie; B. Randall, A. Sandford (7) and I. Dahmen.

Clarkston hits — I. Schlegel 4 (2 3B), B. Blaydes 3, M. Gillie 2, K. Line (HR), A. Judy, Ja. McCormack-Marks.

Pullman hits — T. Cromie 2 (HR, 2B), J. Stewart (2B), B. Randall, I. Dahmen, A. Sanford, S. Collins, A. Rees, L. Wheatley.

GAME 2

Clarkston 103 001 0—5 3 2

Pullman 200 121 x—6 9 6

O. Tannahill, A. Miller (6) and M. Gillie; A. Sanford, B. Randall (5) and T. Cromie.

Clarkston hits — Jo. McCormack-Marks (2B), K. Line, I. Schlegel.

Pullman hits — B. Randall 2 (HR, 3B), J. Stewart 2 (2 2B), A. Sanford (2B), S. Collins, M. Druffel, A. Rees, K. Kimble.

Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X @TrevorJunt.