Bellevue College softball put together one of the program’s most historic comebacks by taking fourth overall at the NWAC Championships. After losing the opening game, the Bulldogs put together an amazing run of four straight wins, including three in one day, to finish in the top four. Of those loser-out wins, the Bulldogs topped Edmonds, their North Region nemesis who they did not beat during the regular season, and also knocked out North Idaho College, the team that defeated BC in the opening game. The Bulldogs ultimately fell in extra innings on Sunday May 21 to eventual champion Wenatchee Valley 4-3.
In the opener, Bellevue’s offense was shut down as North Idaho won 4-0. BC had only four hits in the entire game as Payton Gibbs allowed only two earned runs in the complete game in the circle but fell victim in the pitchers’ battle. Bellevue would then come back that day and defeated Spokane 7-4. The Bulldogs put up four big runs in the fifth to seal the win as Gibbs homered while Kimber Tutt and Emma Jimenez had back-to-back doubles in the big inning.
In Saturday’s first of three wins, BC beat Edmonds, getting sweet revenge on a team that had Bellevue’s number all year. The ‘dogs put up nine runs in the third inning en route to the blowout 11-2. Cierra Barkis, Justi Johnson, and Kiley Ochoa all homered for Bellevue. In Bellevue’s second game, the Bulldogs knocked out Lower Columbia 7-4 as BC put up three runs in the final two innings to secure the win. Gibbs came on in relief in the circle throwing three-plus innings of shutout ball for the win. In the sixth, Gibbs doubled then scored for the game-winner. In game three, Bellevue topped North Idaho 15-5 as Johnson was 4-for-5 with four RBI’s and two doubles. Gibbs had four RBI’s and clubbed her twentieth home run of the year.
In their final game, the ‘dogs had a 3-2 lead heading into the final inning but errors allowed a run in the seventh and in the extra inning for the heartbreaking loss. Barkis, Gibbs, and Jimenez each had two hits apiece.
The finish was symbolic of Bellevue’s play all year. At times the Bulldogs would play like the team to beat in the conference while at other times seemed to play down a level. Bellevue was ranked No. 1 in the Under Armour Coaches’ Poll after a strong pre-season, but then fell to almost fourth place in their own region at one point in mid-season. After an opening loss, the Bulldogs again bounced back with an amazing stretch of wins to end the season on a high note.
Last Updated March 7, 2018
