Big win for Knights

FAIRBANKS -- The Colony Knight softball team has reached a milestone.

For the first time in the program's history, the Knights earned a victory in the state softball tournament.

Colony achieved the feat with a 12-1 win over West Valley.

"This is a historic moment for Colony fastpitch softball," Knight head coach Mike Stewart said. "It was a great win."

Stewart said that the game ball from the contest will go immediately into the trophy case at Colony High School.

The Knights were led by strong performances on both the mound and at the plate.

Katie Rowell frustrated the Wolfpack with her pitching and earned the victory.

Alina Tychalsky and Tiffany Scott each came up with big hits at the plate. Scott doubled and knocked in two runs to seal the victory. The Knight runs on the Scott double gave Colony a 10-run lead and the win.

Under state softball rules, if one team is leading another after four innings by more than 10 runs the game is declared over with the team with the most runs earning the victory.

The win over the Wolfpack was one of three games played for Colony in the state tourney. The Knights also dropped a 6-5 heartbreaker to Monroe Catholic and dropped a 10-1 decision to Dimond.

"I'm proud of how the team rallied in the final inning," Stewart said. "We showed folks we belonged in the state tournament."

Rowell pitched a pair of complete games in the tourney and also received player of the game honors in one of the contests.

Heidi Dehart and Tychalsky were also named players of the game for the Knights.

Stewart noted that Scott was particularly impressive at the plate during the tournament, posting a .727 batting average.

"Tiffany and Alina delivered the offensive power for our team all season and they did the same in the state tournament," Stewart said. "As seniors, they led by example and showed the others what it takes to be a

winner."