CORVALLIS – The North Douglas softball team scored two runs on back-to-back, two out singles in the sixth inning to win its first ever state championship 3-1 over reigning champion Pilot Rock on Friday.

The Lady Warriors started the sixth inning tied with Pilot Rock 1-1. Nikki Toy drilled a one-out double to right centerfield to reach scoring position for North Douglas. Toy, a senior, was lifted for pinch runner Lilly Downie, who scored the go-ahead run two batters later on a two-out single by junior Amy Dooley.

Senior Ericka Dickey added an insurance run for the Warriors with a single to score Hope Morgan and give North Douglas a 3-1 advantage heading to the final frame.

North Douglas starter Nicki Derrick allowed a single to the Pilot Rock leadoff batter, bringing the game tying run to the plate for the Rockets. Derrick, a freshman, rallied by retiring the next three batters, including a full count strike out to clinch the victory.

Derrick allowed just four hits to the Rockets over seven innings of work. The freshman struck out 10 and walked two. She was named the Moda Health Player of the Game.

Seniors Kalli Frieze and Nikki Toy each had two hits for the Lady Warriors. Toy’s sixth inning double was the only extra base hit of the game for North Douglas.

North Douglas’ first softball title came in its third championship game appearance. The Warriors previously finished runner-up in 2001 and 2003.

Pilot Rock had won the state title the previous two years.The Rockets only run came on an inside the park home run in the fourth inning by Rhyanne Oates.

North Douglas……. 000 102 0 – 3 8 0
Pilot Rock/Nixyaawii 000 100 0 – 1 4 1
Win – N. Derrick. Loss – Tehya Ostrom.
E – V. Walker. LOB – NDOUGLAS 7; PILOT ROCK 4. 2B – Nikki Toy. 3B – Rebekah Roe. HR – R. Oates.