Bend’s Gracie Goewey (6) hugs Lauren Glasser (15) after Glasser hit a home run during Friday's 5A state playoff game against Crater at Bend High. Goewey was among the regional players named to the 2023 Class 5A all-state first team.

A throng of grade-school-aged girls lined up near the Bend High dugout on Friday night, waiting for their hero to sign their softballs.

Junior Addisen Fisher patiently did just that, then turned and answered a question in a way that was relatable to her young admirers after beating No. 7 Crater 7-0 in a 5A state quarterfinal game.

“Just playing my game, doing what I know how to do,” Fisher said. “Having fun with my teammates, playing in the dirt.”

As she continues to dominate Class 5A softball, Fisher cannot hide the fact that she is having the time of her life. On Friday, Fisher pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out 11 batters and allowing just two hits while also hitting a two-run home run — and she made it all look unapologetically fun.

“I was just playing loose, just playing my game and having a good time with my teammates,” said Fisher, who is committed to play collegiately for UCLA. “We have really good energy, which was really nice.”

No. 2 Bend hosts No. 3 Lebanon Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in the state semifinals, and the winner will earn a spot in the state championship game June 3 in Eugene. Lebanon defeated No. 11 Canby 10-2 on Friday. The other semifinal is No. 4 Wilsonville at No. 1 Dallas.

The Lava Bears lost in the semifinals last season, albeit in Class 6A, and they have been seeking redemption ever since.

“No matter what, it’s the last home game for these seniors,” Fisher said. “So we’re just gonna leave it all out on the field and just play our game. We’re gonna go have fun and hopefully kick some butt.”

The Lava Bears took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, then Fisher broke the game open with a deep shot to left-center field for a 4-0 lead in the second inning.

“The last at-bat I saw pretty much all inside (pitches), so I was sitting inside,” Fisher said. “I was just ready and I kind of felt it coming. I was walking up to bat and I felt like something was coming.”

In the third inning, Bend continued the power-hitting onslaught as Taylor Aldrich ripped a line-drive two-run home run over the center-field fence for a 6-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Lauren Glasser hit another line-drive home run to left-center for a 7-0 lead. Glasser was 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

Now, it’s state title-or-bust for the Lava Bears, who are playing with confidence heading into Tuesday’s semifinal.

“They definitely know what their goal is after falling short last year,” said Bend High coach Rob Ray.

“They’ve worked hard every day, so it’s paying off now. They’re dedicated and they put in the time. They kind of create the atmosphere. I just sit here and guide them as well as I can.”

In other state softball playoff action Friday night:

No. 1 Henley 9, No. 9 Crook County 8: After getting down by four runs in the second inning, the Cowgirls rallied but came up short in the Class 4A state quarterfinal game in Klamath Falls. Danner Hemphill and Chloe McKenzie each had three hits and one RBI for Crook County, which finished its season 17-11. Henley advanced to take on No. 4 Pendleton in the state semifinals.

Friday Baseball

No. 4 West Albany 8, No. 5 Ridgeview 5: A five-run third inning for West Albany proved insurmountable for the Ravens in the Class 5A state quarterfinal game at West Albany.

The Ravens were led by Jace Nagler with three hits and three RBIs, including one home run. Ryden Nakamura added a home run for Ridgeview, which finished its season 21-8. West Albany advanced to face No. 9 Ashland in the semifinals.

No. 3 Wilsonville 4, No. 6 Mountain View 1: Mountain View gave up three runs in the second inning and could not recover in the Class 5A state quarterfinal game at Wilsonville. David Duvalle took the loss on the mound for Mountain View. Duvalle pitched six innings, allowing five hits and four runs while striking out four batters. Gavin Derr, Austin Romero and Caden Illingworth each had one hit to lead the Cougars, who finished the season 19-9-1. Wilsonville advanced to take on No. 2 Thurston in the semifinals.

No. 1 Scappoose 8, No. 9 Crook County 1: Scappoose scored five runs in the fifth inning to pull away in the Class 4A state quarterfinal game at Scappoose. Tyis Yustat led the Cowboys with two hits, and Gage Martinez added an RBI. Crook County finished its season 16-10.

No. 2 Banks 8, No. 10 La Pine 4: The Hawks took an early 2-0 lead in the Class 3A state quarterfinal game at Banks, but gave up three runs in the second inning and three runs in the fifth. Hunter Heal led La Pine with two RBIs, and Tyson Flack scored two runs for the Hawks, who finished their season 19-9.

No. 1 Cascade Christian 9, No. 8 Sisters 2: The Outlaws finished the season 20-8 after falling to Cascade Christian in the Class 3A state quarterfinals, while Cascade Christian advanced to take on No. 4 Brookings-Harbor in the state semifinals.

“No matter what, it’s the last home game for these seniors. So we’re just gonna leave it all out on the field and just play our game. We’re gonna go have fun and hopefully kick some butt.”

— Addisen Fisher, Bend High softball player, on the team’s upcoming game, a state semifinal matchup against No. 3 Lebanon