Colony softball squad headed to state tournament

PALMER -- The Colony High School softball squad is on a hot streak.

The Knights are hoping to ride that streak and continue their winning ways in the state softball tournament.

Colony finished 13-9 overall and 13-2 in region action to qualify for the state tourney.

The event is Friday and Saturday at Hez Ray Fields in Fairbanks.

The Knights have won four straight contests. Colony ended ITS regular season with a pair of wins over the weekend.

Colony starter Katie Rowell struck out 10 of 12 batters during four perfect innings of work in a 14-0 win over Kodiak on Friday.

Rowell has been a power on the mound for the Knights this season. The hurler has struck out 94 batters and walked just 10 this season.

"Katie displayed the type of performance we'll need from her at state," Knight head coach Mike Stewart said. "She was outstanding,"

Colony senior shortstop Tiffany Scott preserved Rowell's no-hitter by stopping a hit up the middle at second base and throwing the batter out at first for last out of the game.

In the two games, Scott went 3 for 4 with an RBI triple, and senior third baseman Alina Tychalsky went 3 for 4 with a RBI double.

For the season, Scott hit a blazing .656 batting average.

"Tiffany and Alina have been our big hitters all season," Stewart said. "They've come through in the clutch for us when we've needed it most."

In the come-from-behind win against North Pole in the final inning, fellow senior Sara Gillette scored the first run followed by Scott who walked, stole second base and scored the tying run on a Tychalsky fly ball dropped by the Lady Patriots. Tychalsky raced home on a passed ball for the winning run. Scott, Tychalsky and Gillette are the team co-captains.

"We talked about it and coach asked the seniors to step up to the challenge," said Scott. "This was our last home game and we're happy since it's our last home game."