BURNEY – The Etna Lady Lions figured that the Shasta Cascade League Championship would come down to the final double-header of the season against the Modoc Lady Braves. As it turned out, Etna’s split with the Burney Lady Raiders, last Friday, combined with Mt. Shasta’s sweep of Modoc delivered the Lady Lions’ SCL championship earlier than expected.

Etna won the first game of the double-header against Burney 12-7. Etna scored three runs in the top of the first inning and four more in the third inning to lead 7-0. Burney put up a run in the bottom of the third, making it 7-1. Etna added three runs in the fourth to up their advantage to 10-1. Both teams scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning to make the score 12 – 3 going into the final frame. Burney rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the effort came up well short, as the Lady Lions took the contest 12-7.

Paige Finley led Etna’s offense, going 2-3, scoring three runs, knocked in three runs, and had a double. Chloe Papazian went 2-4, with three runs, and a walk. Nicole Luiz was 2-4, with two runs, and an RBI. Finley picked up the complete game win (7IP, 7R, 4ER, 10H, 2BB, 11K).

In game-two, Etna took a quick 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning, but two big innings for Burney ruined the Lady Lions chance at an undefeated SCL season. The Lady Raiders put up five runs in the bottom of the third inning, to take the lead 5-1. Etna answered with three runs in the top of the fourth, narrowing the Burney lead to 5-4. Burney added a run in the bottom half of the inning, to lead 6-4. The Lady Raiders put up another five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it 11-4. Etna scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning, but Burney held on to win 11-6.

For Etna, Luiz went 2-4, with a run, two RBI, and a triple. Papazian scored a run and knocked in a run, going 2-3. Eli Pynes was 1-4, with two runs, an RBI, and two steals. Ashley Page started, went the distance, and took the loss (6IP, 11ER, 9H, 2BB, 4K).

While the Lady Lions were splitting with Burney, the Mt. Shasta Lady Bears were sweeping Modoc, 4-2, and 10-7. The Lady Lions are 9-1 (19-8) in the SCL, with two games remaining. All other SCL teams have at least four losses, which gives Etna the championship.

Etna Coach Barb Thackeray was ecstatic when she heard that Mt. Shasta had swept Modoc, and that the Lady Lions had won the SCL champions. Thackeray knew that her squad controlled their own destiny, with their final two games at home against Modoc, but securing the championship early is a welcome development.

“Mainly, I feel so happy for the 16 girls who have worked so hard everyday to come together as a team and reach one of their goals. Everyone on this team has played a role. It has been a great thing to be a part of. We still have a lot of great softball to play, but it is nice to have a little of the pressure off,” said Thackeray.

Etna plays next at Bonanza on Thursday, April 24, at 4:30. The Lady Lions will finish the regular season at home against Modoc on Friday, May 2 at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.