Opportunity left on base

DAYTON -- Hits were hard to come by. 

The No. 2 Dayton softball team managed six of them off Rainier pitchers Shelby Saylors and Sarah Probasco. The No. 3 Columbians had trouble with Pirates ace Sierra Ray, managing seven hits.

Rainier centerfielder Jessica Gibson belted an RBI single off Ray in the third inning, and that would be all the Columbians would need in a 1-0 victory over the Pirates in Tuesday's Class 3A state semifinal softball game at Jim Connelly Field.

Ray had a double for Dayton, and Rachael Fluke, Cassi Hill, Kylee Hill, Michaela Shouldis and Sydney Van Noy each had singles. The Pirates left 13 men on base during the game to Rainier's four.

The Columbians (23-4) will play for the Class 3A state championship Friday at the Oregon State University softball complex in Corvallis.

Dayton finishes its season with a 21-4 record. The Pirates went undefeated (10-0) to win the Class 3A West Valley League.