Eastlake Wolves starting pitcher Julie Graf doesn’t get rattled when things get tough in the pitching circle.
Graf, who has been the Wolves ace during the 2015 season, allowed just four hits and two earned runs in seven innings of work guiding Eastlake to a 6-4 victory against the Bothell Cougars on April 27 in Sammamish.
Eastlake had a 5-1 lead after four innings of play but saw their lead nearly evaporate in the top of the fifth inning. Eastlake made two errors and Bothell capitalized by putting three runs on the board, cutting Eastlake’s lead to 5-4. Graf stopped the bleeding by striking out Bothell’s Olivia Aasen to end the inning and quell the comeback threat. Eastlake head coach Stephanie Fox said the fifth inning has been a thorn in the side of her team this year.
“The fifth inning seems to be struggle for us. We had a few errors but Julie stayed with it. I’m really proud of her. She did a great job,” Fox said.
The Wolves improved their overall record to 5-7 with the win. The 2015 season hasn’t been ideal for the Wolves record-wise but Graf has enjoyed the ride nonetheless.
“We’ve had our ups and downs for sure but its just made us a really strong team. It’s been a great team to be part of,” Graf said. “We had a rough first half of the year but we’re writing a new chapter for the rest of the season right now. We’re just going to take it one game at a time for the rest of our games.”
Graf credited the defense behind her for the successful performance against Bothell. Of the 21 outs recorded by Eastlake, nine were courtesy of ground balls.
“I trust my team. I know they always have my back. I’m going to try to always do my job but I always know that they’re going to be there to pick me up too,” she said.
The Wolves finished the game with 12 hits and scored three of its six runs in the bottom of the fourth. Fox said her team got better offensively as the game wore on.
“We don’t give up and are a team that adjusts well. A lot of the girls, the second time they went through the lineup is when they got their hits. That is what it is all about,” she said.
Freshman Georgia Robinson went 3-for-4 with an RBI at the plate for the Wolves. Graf went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Maddie Coats went 2-for-3 in the win.
Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com
