It doesn’t make close losses any easier to swallow, but Skyline softball coach Duane Witter keeps reminding himself of one thing — his team is young.
“There are a lot of sophomores,” he said, after Monday’s 3-2 extra-inning loss to Lake Washington. “These girls will get there.”
The Spartans, who fell to 2-4 in league and 3-7 overall, have now lost all four league games by one run.
On Monday, Skyline had Lake Washington, one of the favorites to win KingCo, against the ropes. A late-game defensive miscue and an inability to get the big hit, however, cost the Spartans.
Tied 2-2 in the top of the ninth, the Kangaroos were allowed to place a runner at second base. A high school rule says if two softball teams are tied after eight innings, each team will start each subsequent inning with a runner on second base.
Lake Washington leadoff hitter Tori Jacobsen placed a bunt down to the left of Spartan relief pitcher Elizabth Stromquist. With the infield closing in, nobody made a play on the ball, leaving runners safe at first and third.
“That was it, just that one right there,” Witter said. “That’s what it comes down to. Just making the one hiccup.”
The next batter, Kassidy Anglin, hit a ball deep enough to left field, allowing Natalie Smallman to score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly.
Skyline wasn’t done, however. The Spartans placed the winning run at second base with one out in the bottom of the ninth. With sophomore Lindsey Nicholson at second base to start the inning, junior Lauren Wolfe blooped a one-out single over the shortstop, and took second on a late throw to third. An ensuing strikeout and groundout, however, ended Skyline’s hopes of a comeback victory.
“My hat goes off to Lake Washington,” Witter said. “They did a nice job executing at the end. I had some girls make some great contact, I’m very happy with them.”
Skyline jumped on the board first in the bottom of the second when Margo Erwin scored Amanda Nemiroff with an RBI bunt base hit. Lake Washington took the lead in the top of the third on an RBI single from Rogin Hardy. They tacked on one more when the umpire ruled Ashley Smiley made an illegal pitch, forcing a runner in from third.
The Spartans answered in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI double from Elaina Shawver. Other highlights for the Spartans included a 3-for-4 hitting performance from Brittney Randle and a 2-for-4 performance from Nicholson. Lauren Richards also pitched four innings of relief, allowing no earned runs with three strikeouts.
While the start has been a little rough, Witter likes the direction his team is headed.
“I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “It’s a young group, they’re learning my style more than anything. We’re running and gunning, and they’re still a little conservative, but that’s OK, they’ll catch on.”
Issaquah grabs a pair
Issaquah increased its win streak to three games Tuesday afternoon, beating Eastlake 1-0. Kenna Olsen earned an RBI hit in the top of the fifth and Mickenzie Voves allowed just two hits over seven innings, along with eight strikeouts. The Eagles defeated Roosevelt 10-2 on Monday. Molly Nelson had four RBI, Kelly Richards had three RBI, and Olsen had two RBI. The Eagles tallied 17 hits in the win. Issaquah is now 4-1 in league and 6-2 overall. The Eagles were scheduled to travel to Ballard on Wednesday and host Woodinville at 4 p.m., Friday.
Eastlake hangs on for win
Eastlake jumped out to a fast lead and held on for a 3-1 victory over Inglemoor on Monday. Laura Bachman was 1-for-3 with with a two-run home run in the first inning. She drove in all three runs for the Wolves. Nicole Guptil pitched all seven innings, allowing seven hits with 11 strikeouts. Eastlake fell 1-0 to Issaquah in a makeup game on Tuesday. The Wolves are now 4-2 in league and 5-4 overall. They were slated to travel to Bothell on Wednesday and host Ballard at 4 p.m. on Friday.
Crusaders thump Quakers
Eastside Catholic defeated Franklin 16-3 on Monday in five innings. Alex Johnston was 3-for-4 with three runs; Kelly Lloid was 2-for-2 with four RBI; Ronnie Mae Ayers 3-for-4, with three runs and two RBI and Morgan Saad was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Caitlin Courshon earned the win for Eastside Catholic. The Crusaders improved to 1-2 in league and 4-4 overall with the win.
