The #2 Cole Valley Christian Chargers pulled off a nail-biting 8-5 victory over the #1 Kimberly Bulldogs in the semifinals of the 4A Idaho State Softball Championships, earning their spot in Saturday’s championship game with a clutch performance that featured four home runs.In a back-and-forth battle that saw multiple lead changes, Lauren Colson sparked the …
The #2 Cole Valley Christian Chargers pulled off a nail-biting 8-5 victory over the #1 Kimberly Bulldogs in the semifinals of the 4A Idaho State Softball Championships, earning their spot in Saturday’s championship game with a clutch performance that featured four home runs.
In a back-and-forth battle that saw multiple lead changes, Lauren Colson sparked the Chargers with two solo home runs in the first and third innings, setting the tone for Cole Valley’s resilient attack. Addy Herrera added a game-tying homer to left field in the fourth inning, and Brinkley Lauderdale delivered what proved to be the decisive blow with a go-ahead solo shot to right field in the sixth that gave Cole Valley a slim 5-4 lead.
Kimberly, the tournament favorite who had dominated their earlier games, refused to go away quietly. The Bulldogs seized a 3-2 advantage in the third inning on timely RBI singles from Brooklyn VerWey and Addi Cann, then recaptured a 4-3 lead in the fourth when Jaci Cowger singled home a run. VerWey’s solo home run in the seventh kept Kimberly’s hopes alive, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Cole Valley’s clutch three-run rally in the top half of the inning.
Karlie Barnum gutted out a complete game victory in the circle for the Chargers, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out four batters. She also contributed significantly at the plate with a team-high three RBIs on a crucial hit during Cole Valley’s seventh-inning surge that provided just enough breathing room.
Abbie English’s daring steal of home in the fifth inning proved to be a pivotal momentum shift, tying the game at 4-4 and setting the stage for Lauderdale’s go-ahead homer one inning later.
With the hard-fought victory, Cole Valley advances to Saturday’s championship game at 11:15 AM, where they’ll face the winner of the Weiser-Kimberly play-in game. Despite the loss, Kimberly still has a path to the title game if they can defeat Weiser in the 9:00 AM play-in matchup.
