SEATTLE – The Bainbridge Spartan girls softball team punched its ticket to state with a big win over the Rebels early last week.

Bainbridge snapped a late-developing 3-3 tie with a one-run seventh inning to beat Juanita 4-3 at the Southeast Athletic Complex in Seattle.

Juanita got in front first with one run in the opening inning, but Bainbridge evened things up, 1-1, in the bottom of the second inning.

The Spartans built a 2-1 advantage in the third, then tacked on another run in the fifth inning for a 3-1 lead.

Juanita rallied in the seventh with two runs to tie the contest at 3-all.

“It was a very good game,” said Bainbridge Coach Liz McCloskey.

The Spartans put themselves in a tough position in the bottom of the seventh, she said, but Riley Gregoire came up big again for BHS.

“They didn’t allow themselves to get down after being down two runs in the seventh,” McCloskey said. “It was exciting to see them all come together.”

Megan Spray led off with a walk, then Kate Kinney came in and singled up the middle.

With runners on first and second, Tianna Rabang laid down a bunt to advance the runners to second and third with one out.

Gregoire then nailed a sacrifice fly to center field to seal the win.

“As a coach, you can’t ask for a better chance then to be in that position,” she said.

Gregoire finished 2-for-4 at the plate, while Deahna King was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

King also earned another victory on the mound. She pitched seven innings and gave up five hits and three runs. She also had five strikeouts.

The win guaranteed another Bainbridge trip to the state fast-pitch championships.

Bainbridge is now headed to the state tournament for its ninth consecutive appearance.

The Spartans won one of their last two games to finish the tourney in second place.

Bainbridge rolled over Ballard 8-0 in the SeaKing tourney to advance to the title game against Lake Washington at the Southwest Athletic Complex late last week.

The Spartans jumped in front 1-0 in the third inning, then followed with a blockbuster fourth where BHS plated another six runs.

Sparty was again led by the big bat of Gregoire. She had a double and finished with three RBIs.

Teammate Natalie Allen went 3-for-3 at the plate, with a triple and two RBIs.

The Spartans came up short in the title game against the Kangaroos last Friday.

LW starting pitcher Tori Bivens was dangerous on the mound and at the plate. She pitched a complete game and fanned 12 Bainbridge batters, but also had a home run and a double.

With the state 3A fastpitch tourney starting Friday, McCloskey said the team has been clicking on the fundamentals, defense and pitching.

“I think we’ve got a little work to do on our offense, but it’s getting better each day,” she said.

“As the saying goes, defense wins championships,” McCloskey added. “If our defense can do what they have been doing, we’ll be alright.”