Northport two wins away from State

NORTHPORT – Mustangs softball spent last week preparing for the district 6/ 7/ 9 1B tournament, on Friday Northport played a pair of non- league games against the Kettle Falls Bulldogs ( 8- 12, 6- 10) who are preparing for the 2B tournament and the teams split the doubleheader with a 10- 5 Kettle Falls win and a 13- 2 Northport win.

Northport is 12- 9 on the season and 9- 7 in the NE- 1B and the Mustangs appear to be peaking at the right time. Northport is 6- 2 since April 29 and finished second in the district 6/ 7 tournament. Head coach Dave Hedrick is excited for the postseason and feels the team is ready to make the next step, “They’re relaxed, playing well and gained confidence from the last tournament.”

Pitcher Elizabeth Young and catcher Belle Stark were named to the All-League team and are leading the Mustangs through the postseason but are not the only contributors. “We’re counting on both Elizabeth and Belle to be big, Belle has hit five home runs this year, she really has her swing on and is very powerful, the rest of the cast is stepping up as well and it is great to see.”

This week Northport hosted the first-round game on Monday against DeSales ( 11- 7, 8- 4) and after the first round games the tournament moves to Franklin Park on Friday where many games will be played to sort out who will qualify for state. For Northport two wins between Monday and Friday’s games means a trip to state. “We’re excited and we’re going to give it all we got.”