Thunderbirds continue hot hitting, advance in state tournament
BUTTE VALLEY - The Las Plumas High School softball team won the Northern Section title, and now the Thunderbirds are playing free as their season continues in the CIF NorCal tournament.
The Thunderbirds' bats are hot, and their defense is strong behind sophomore pitcher Kyler Storey.
LP, the No. 2 seed in the CIF NorCal Division III tournament, defeated No. 7 seed Foothill (Pleasanton) 9-2 on Tuesday at Butte College to advance to the semifinals.
"We won the section so everything is free money now," said Las Plumas coach Toby Thompson. "Let's just go out here and see if we can win this."
LP got the scoring started early, jumping on the Falcons with three runs in the first inning and two runs in the second to take a 5-0 lead.
The Thunderbirds brought eight batters to the plate in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs on two hits and three walks. Rylie McInturf had one of her three hits, and Kendal Headley and Jayse Long walked to load the bases. Marli Benedict hit a line drive into left field to score McInturf and Headley. After a fly out to center field, Lexi Hobbs walked, but the fourth ball was a wild pitch and Long scored from third base to give the Thunderbirds a 3-0 lead.
LP added two more runs in the bottom of the second on a single from Brooklyn Atteberry and a triple just over the first base bag by McInturf. A sacrifice fly by Headley gave LP its 5-0 lead after two innings.
"I think that was really huge for us to start with five runs in the first couple innings, but even the three runs in the first inning that was really big for us to realize that we could hit her and we're going to score some more each inning," McInturf said. "I'm really proud of them to be able to put the hits together, score and play great defense."
After allowing a run in the top of the third inning, LP added three more in the fourth. Eight batters came to the plate and the Thunderbirds had four hits and a walk.
LP's hitting has been strong all year long. The Thunderbirds have scored 361 runs in 31 games (just over 11 runs per game). That starts with getting ahead in counts.
"We've been really focused on our hitting and finding our spots and our pitch," said Thunderbirds' catcher and Butte View League MVP Atteberry. "We've been really good at that and getting ahead with our hitting in the first couple innings."
Story pitched all seven innings for the Thunderbirds and allowed four hits, two runs (one earned), walked four and struck out three.
The Thunderbirds may not have been playing on their home field, but the support they received playing close to home at Butte College has been greatly appreciated by both players and coaches.
"This is considered Oroville so it's at home for us, and look at the fans all here supporting us. It's awesome," Thompson said.
"Going into state it's really big for us. I'm really glad that they're all here cheering us on because it really does mean a lot to us," McInturf said. "It is really nice, but I am still kind of sad that we don't get to play our last game on our field."
With Tuesday's win LP advances to face one of four Northern Section teams still alive, the No. 6 seed East Nicolaus. The Spartans upset No. 3 Rodriguez on Tuesday to advance. Both LP and East Nicolaus each have one loss this season, with LP's against Christian Brothers on March 27 and East Nicolaus' loss against Winters on April 17.
The winner of LP and East Nicolaus will face the winner of No. 1 Monterey and No. 5 Chico. Chico won its first round matchup, upsetting No. 4 Chowchilla, and should the Panthers get another upset and the Thunderbirds hold on, the CIF NorCal D-III championship would be a rematch of the Northern Section title game between two Butte County squads.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 8:06 PM.