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TWIN FALLS - Fourth-ranked College of Southern Idaho softball beat Western Nevada 7-2, came back to beat Snow College in nine innings 5-4 and followed that up with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 7th to beat North Idaho 7-5 Friday to advance to the Region 18 Championship game.
The Golden Eagles fell to the loser's bracket Thursday in their tournament opener and had to battle back, facing three elimination games Friday. CSI will play Salt Lake at noon Saturday in the championship game. The Golden Eagles would need to beat Salt Lake twice to advance to the NJCAA National Tournament next week.
Against Western Nevada, CSI's
Aubrey Whitmer finished the game 3-3 at the plate, while twin sister Sierra earned the win in the circle, throwing a 4-hitter.
The Golden Eagles jumped out to 3-0 lead against Snow but a four-run inning for the Badgers in the fifth put Snow up 4-3.
Whitney Carlton's 2-out infield hit with the bases loaded tied the game in the bottom of the 7th, sending the game in extra innings.
It was Carlton again, who came up with the clutch swing in the bottom of the 9th. With the bases loaded and one out, the sophomore ripped a deep ball to left field, scoring
Patti Ferguson on the sacrifice fly, giving CSI the win.
Against North Idaho, CSI again took an early 3-1 lead but watched it disappear in the top of the 7th on a 2-out, 2-strike grand slam by the Cardinal's Shelby Carter.
But the Eagles weren't ready to end their season.
Gabby Stacey led off the bottom of the 7th with a single. Region 18 MVP
Lea Hopson took the first pitch over the fence to tie the game. A. Whitmer followed with a walk and moved to second on a ground out by
Patti Ferguson.
S. Whitmer then hit the first pitch deep to left field. North Idaho's left fielder jumped to try and save the home run but the ball went off her glove over the fence for the walk-off, 2-rbi home run.
Nellie Makings earned the wins against Snow and North Idaho, coming in with CSI trailing to pitch in relief and shut down the Badgers and Cardinals.
