Issaquah edges Eastlake in pitching duel | Fastpitch softball

Pitch after pitch blistered home plate Monday afternoon, leaving Eastlake and Issaquah hitters equally frustrated.

By Kevin Endejan • April 13, 2010 4:30 pm
Issaquah's Brielle Bray dives back to first base in the bottom of the fourth inning while Eastlake's Stephanie Clay attempts to field the ball. Bray was hit by the pick-off attempt of catcher Kelsey Dempsey
Issaquah's Brielle Bray dives back to first base in the bottom of the fourth inning while Eastlake's Stephanie Clay attempts to field the ball. Bray was hit by the pick-off attempt of catcher Kelsey Dempsey

Pitch after pitch blistered home plate Monday afternoon, leaving Eastlake and Issaquah hitters equally frustrated.

“It was a pitching duel baby,” Eagle head coach Jim Magnuson said. “It was just a good quality fastpitch game.”

In the end, Issaquah pushed a run across the plate without a hit, edging its KingCo Crest rival 1-0 at IHS.

“That’s at least the third time I recall that we’ve battled them and came up on the short end,” Wolves’ head coach Al Leaverenz said, noting his team lost two similar 1-0 contests to the Eagles last season.

Issaquah’s Brielle Bray broke the stalemate in the bottom of the sixth inning after drawing a one-out walk. The sophomore then advanced to second base on a wild pitch and took third on a passed ball. Senior Amanda Marques delivered the knock-out blow with deep fly ball to left center field. Bray tagged on the play, scoring on a sacrifice fly.

Eastlake pitcher Nicole Guptil was cruising along to that point. She had allowed just two hits and struck out six batters.

Issaquah’s scrappy play on the bases made the difference, however.

And Magnuson knows its something the Eagles will have to continue if they want to be successful.

“We’re going to have to manufacture runs,” he said. “We’re not fooling anybody. We’re strong on pitching, good on defense and we’re average on offense.”

Eagle starter Mackenzie Voves did her part in the pitching circle. The University of Pennsylvania-bound right-hander gave up just three hits over her seven innings of work. She struck out eight batters, mixing up her fastball and changeup.

“Her changeup was just on today,” Magnuson said. “That one she threw, that was a yacker. Everybody in the crowd went, ‘Ooh.'”

Issaquah improved to 1-1 in league and 3-2 overall. Eastlake, which was picked by league coaches to finish atop its division, is now 1-1 in league and 4-2 overall.

“I don’t know what’s going on in our half of the league,” said Leaverenz, noting that nearly every team is in contention. “It’s going to be a battle.”

Skyline blanks Newport

Skyline pitcher Lauren Richards allowed just one hit and struck out 13 batters on Monday, en route to a 9-0 home victory over Newport.

The Spartans were led at the plate by senior Lauren Wolfe, who finished the game 3-for-3 with a double and five RBI. Freshman Mickey Dunn was 4-for-4 with an RBI.

Skyline improved to 2-1 in league and 5-2 overall with the victory.