CHEHALIS – The Yakima Diamond Cats rolled through the Summer Meltdown tournament bracket Sunday, capturing the championship with one more event for the two-time state champions.

Yakima rode steady hitting and standout pitching to win three games in the single-elimination tournament, outscoring opponents 18-5.

The Diamond Cats will cap the season next weekend in the Hot August Nights at Selah.

After finishing 2-1 in pool play Saturday, the Diamond Cats couldn’t be stopped Sunday.

They opened the day by beating the Oregon-based Lydo’s Lab 7-3. Yakima got an RBI triple from Brooklyn Root, and a two-run single from Lauren Lewis.

Three of Yakima’s runs scored on errors.

Root also allowed one unearned run in four innings before West Valley grad and CBBN MVP Ainsley Johnson tossed two hitless innings.

Johnson continued to dominate against Washington Avengers-Salas, striking out 10 in a seven-inning complete game, giving up two hits and an unearned run in a 4-1 victory.

Kodie Rasmussen had two triples, knocked in a run and scored two more for the Diamond Cats, who also got two hits from Calleigh Sinnes and a double from Sophiya Castaneda.

In the championship, East Valley junior Elise Heater scattered five hits over six innings, and got plenty of support in a 7-1 victory over Washington Avengers Charlton.

Castaneda provided a two-run triple, and Ashleigh James doubled in two runs for Yakima (22-9).

SENIOR LEGION

Pak ousted from state

SPOKANE – Yakima Valley’s pursuit of a second straight state championship ended Sunday, when another rally fell short in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Pak scored twice and had the bases loaded in their final at-bat, but the Northeast 49ers held on for a 5-4 victory Sunday to oust the defending champs.

Alex Morales had two hits – including a double – Alex Whiteside and Lucas Williams had two hits and an RBI for Yakima Valley, which finished the season 27-12.