Prep highlights: England leads La Center to sweep

Behind two complete-game pitching performances from Abby England, the La Center Wildcats opened the 1A Trico League softball schedule Tuesday by sweeping Castle Rock, 4-0 and 7-5. England allowed one hit and struck out 13 in the 4-0 victory in Game 1, followed by allowing two earned runs and striking out three in the 7-5 Game 2 win.

Offensively, La Center combined for 24 hits in a series featuring two teams that reached the Class 1A state semifinals in 2016. La Center went onto win the 1A state title to cap an undefeated season.

Maddie Stimmel had a pair of multi-hit games (2-for-4 in Game 1; 3-for-4 in Game 2.) and Megan Muffett and England each went a combined 4-for-8.

Stars of the day

• Nick Laurenza, Fort Vancouver baseball, went 3-for-3 with three RBI to give the Trappers their first 3A GSHL victory, 11-6 over Hudson’s Bay.

• Trevor Bushman, Union boys track, set personal-bests in the 110 hurdles (16.84), 300 hurdles (40.80) and pole vault (14-10) to win all three in the Titans’ dual-meet win over Battle Ground.

• Emily Phelps, Fort Vancouver girls track and field, won the 400 and 800 meters as the Trappers beat Hudson’s Bay.

• Malik Lewis, Hudson’s Bay boys track and field, won the 100 meters, long jump and high jump as the Eagles beat Fort Vancouver.

• Kaia Oliver, Ridgefield softball, struck out 14 Hockinson batters and also went 2-for-3 at the plate in a 8-0 shutout of the Hawks.

• Morgan Ratcliffe, Washougal softball, drove in half of the Panthers’ runs in a 2-for-4 plate performance in the team’s win over R.A. Long.