DIVISION III SOFTBALL: Freshman Kingston puts on a show for Bobcats

When the White Pine softball players hit the breakfast buffet on Saturday morning, they’ll make sure Britney Kingston gets as many French toast sticks as she would like.

The freshman slugger credited the sweet breakfast treat for her offensive outburst on Friday in the Bobcats’ 11-1 win over Yerington in the losers’ bracket final of the Division III state tournament at The Meadows.

“I decided to get French toast sticks for breakfast this morning and that is why I was cranking them out today,” Kingston said with a smile. “I had five of them.”

White Pine (16-8) will face Lincoln County (24-7) in the state final at 9 a.m. today at UNLV’s Eller Media Stadium. The Bobcats would have to win twice to claim the title.

Kingston finished 3-for-4 with two homers and four RBIs on Friday. She also was dominant from the pitcher’s circle, allowing one run on three hits, to pick up the win.

She pitched out of trouble with runners on third base in the first, fourth and fifth innings.

“I just made sure I was mentally prepared for this weekend because I knew that having a good mentality was going to help me through this,” Kingston said. “When I would get in trouble, I’d calm myself down and reassure myself that my defense was there to back me up.”

White Pine coach Krystal Smith said Kingston’s rapid development isn’t unexpected, as she already has played two other varsity sports this season.

“She has the mentality of a warrior, and this is what we’ve expected from her for a long time,” she said. “In the circle, she has been the star for us the last couple of weeks. She has put through some great performances. We’ve known from the beginning she has great pop in her bat. She is a big strong kid, and to see her confidence spark and the belief that she can do what she needs to do is beyond what we thought.”

White Pine took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, then took control of the game with a four-run third inning.

Jane Murdock hit a two-out single to keep the third inning alive for Kingston, who hit the first of her two homers to push the lead to 3-0.

Debra Kingston then doubled before Teal Hussey delivered a two-run shot to give the Bobcats a 5-0 lead.

Murdock finished the game 3-for-4, while Hussey went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs.

Deseree Landa was 3-for-3 with a double for Yerington.

Smith reminded her players their goals were still there for the taking, but the team would have to show a great deal of heart if they wanted to win twice on Saturday.

The Bobcats and Lynx split their two regular season meetings earlier this season. But Lincoln County won twice last week in the region playoffs.

“A long time ago, we talked about this being where we want to be come Saturday morning,” Smith said. “To accomplish that goal feels pretty good, but we know we have a lot of work in front of us with a tough opponent. … If the right team comes to play tomorrow, we have a great shot at winning two games.”

White Pine 8, Battle Mountain 4 — Jane Murdock’s two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning sparked a five-run rally that pushed the Bobcats past the Longhorns in an elimination game.

Britney Kingston, who finished 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs, also tripled to drive in two runs in that fifth inning.

McKenna Windous allowed one run in four innings of relief to pick up the win. Windous gave up six hits and struck out one.

Shania Hall had a double and an RBI for White Pine.

Itzela Martinez was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs to lead Battle Mountain (18-14-1).

Lincoln County 7, Yerington 0 — Aspen Wilkin scattered five hits and fanned nine in a complete-game shutout to power the Lynx by the Lions.

Wilkin also provided the game’s first run, as her sacrifice fly scored Aya Rowe in the top of the third inning.

Chesnee Harding was 1-for-4 with two RBIs, and Easton Tingey went 1-for-3 with a solo home run for Lincoln County.

Tawanee Ackley finished 2-for-3 with a double for Yerington.