State softball: Middleton wins first 4A state championship
The Vikings took advantage of two errors as part of a five-run third inning, and freshman pitcher Lainey Lyle kept Canyon Ridge in check as Middleton (23-4) won 6-2 for its first state title since 2005, when it competed in the 3A classification.
The rain-soaked tournament finished Saturday at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.
Lyle held Canyon Ridge to two runs on five hits while striking out 10. She also fired a two-hitter in an 11-1, six-inning win against Twin Falls in the semifinals. And she struck out 18 in a 6-5, nine-inning victory over Pocatello in the first round.
Kuna edged Bishop Kelly 11-5 in the first round. The Kavemen then fell 13-9 to Canyon Ridge in the semifinals.
3A: HOMEDALE ROLLS TO REPEAT
The Trojans (26-2) blew out Buhl 14-1 in five innings for their third title in four years. Dakota Kelly went 2-for-4 with a double and struck out eight in a four-hitter. Emmett (20-8) routed Teton 16-1 to finish third.
2A: MALAD EDGES MELBA FOR TITLE
Melba fell 6-5 in the championship as Malad (22-3-1) secured its third title in four years. Melba ends the year 21-6, and New Plymouth finished fourth.
1A: HORSESHOE BEND TAKES SILVER
Genesee repeated as state champions with a 4-1 win over Horseshoe Bend (21-6) in a rematch of last year’s title game. Notus (19-6) finished third.
This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 10:01 PM with the headline "State softball: Middleton wins first 4A state championship."