Nooksack Valley comes back late to beat Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) to win WIAA Class 1A state fastpitch softball championship

Junior Jayden Loreen's two-RBI ground ball single gave the Pioneers its first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth

RICHLAND, Wash. — As soon as she released the pitch, Jordyn Relethford knew it felt good.

"I was thinking 'this has to be the best riseball you've ever thrown," Relethford, a Nooksack Valley senior and one of the top pitchers in the state of Washington, said. "I've got to say, it wasn't — but it worked."

The pitch was popped up for a fly-out, securing Nooksack Valley's 4-3 comeback win over Lakeside of Nine Miles Falls in the WIAA Class 1A state championship on Saturday at Columbia Playfields in Richland. 

Lakeside freshman Lacy Crabtree broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run home run in the top of the fifth to give the 5-seeded Eagles a 3-1 lead. The 2-seeded Pioneers got a run back early in the sixth. 

Then with two outs, junior outfielder Jayden Loreen sent a hard-hit ground ball bouncing off of the short stop, driving in two runs on the single to take a 4-3 lead, Nooksack Valley's first of the game.

Relethford, a right-handed senior, struck out six and gave up five hits, three earned runs and no walks in the complete game start.

Watch the go-ahead play, the final out and an interview with Relethford at the top of the story.

--Andy Buhler; @AndyBuhler.