Window Rock rallies late to defeat Chinle 6-1 behind dominant pitching

Posted by Navajo Times | Apr 16, 2026 | Softball |

By Truman Begaye
Special to the Times

WINDOW ROCK

A tight pitcher’s duel gave way to a late Window Rock rally Wednesday as the Lady Scouts scored five runs over the final two innings to beat Chinle 6-1.

For much of the afternoon, both teams were locked in a defensive battle with limited offense and steady pitching. Chinle scored first, but Window Rock broke through late and took control.

Junior Robyn Billison led the Lady Scouts in the circle, striking out 10 batters while allowing five hits and one run.

“Robyn has been really good in the circle,” Window Rock head coach Karen Tom said. “She’s one of my veteran pitchers and she knows how to command her pitches. She’s great at placement and she knows how to stay composed.”

Chinle took a 1-0 lead when courtesy runner Angie Castillo scored on a ground ball by senior Iva Gorman, who reached second on an infield error.

Both teams then settled into a stretch of strikeouts and routine outs that kept the score unchanged through the middle innings.

Window Rock tied the game in the bottom of the fifth when senior Mia Etsitty stole third and then came home to make it 1-1.

The Lady Scouts took control in the sixth. Sophomore Paisley Begay and junior Ryleigh Owens scored on a line drive to center by sophomore McKayla Young, who moved to second on an error and gave Window Rock a 3-1 lead. Young later scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 4-1.

Window Rock added two more runs to end the game in the sixth inning. Billison scored on a ground ball by Etsitty, who later came home on an outfield error to cap the scoring at 6-1.

The Lady Scouts kept pressure on Chinle on the bases, finishing with eight stolen bases, including three by Etsitty and two by Begay.

Charley struck out 11 for Chinle. Junior Kayleigh Harvey led the Lady Wildcats at the plate, going 2 for 3.

“It’s been our story all season,” Chinle head coach Alan Barwick said. “We would play really well and then just fall apart at the worst possible time. I love this team. I have no doubt in them. I love what we’re building. It just takes time as we’re coming out of dysfunction from the last couple of years.

“We do look forward to seeing Window Rock again in the region tournament along with Monument Valley and Page,” he added.

Window Rock improved to 7-12-1 overall and 4-3 in the 3A North while Chinle fell to 7-13 and 2-6 in region play.

“It was a really great win,” Tom said. “We were gunning for Chinle because I knew they were putting up some really good games, so it was going to be a tough one.”

Window Rock returns to action on Friday by hosting Tuba City in a doubleheader while Chinle starting at 11 a.m. will host Snowflake in a freedom game today at 2 p.m.

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