THE ISSAQUAHPRESS
SPORTS
B4
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Skyline’s offensive explosion downs rival Issaquah, 9-6 By Christina Corrales-Toy newcastle@isspress.com The Issaquah High School softball field was host to an explosion of offense when rivals Issaquah and Skyline High School squared off March 25. It was the Spartans’ bats that proved to pack the most punch, though, defeating the Eagles, 9-6. The schools combined to produce 25 hits, but the game remained scoreless through two innings, before Skyline pushed six runs across the plate in the third.
UP NEXT 4Skyline vs. Ballard 4Issaquah vs. Roosevelt 44 p.m. April 3 4Lower Woodland Park Skyline’s Madisen CampChimenti put the Spartans on the board first, driving in two runs with a double laced to the left-center field gap. It was just the beginning of what would be a productive day for the Skyline junior, who collected four hits and three RBIs.
“Getting those hits was so awesome,” she said. “It just felt so nice getting the girls around the bases.” Every Spartan starter came to the plate in the explosive third inning, when Skyline accumulated seven of its 14 hits. The Eagles would not be outdone, however, cutting the deficit in half with three runs in the bottom of the third, led by Issaquah’s Kylie Bevell, who drove in two runs. Issaquah would go on to add three more runs, highlighted by Sydney Shultz’s
three RBIs on a pair of doubles. Skyline also added three more runs, with leadoff batter Charlotte Zhao sending one over the fence in the fifth inning. “I was kind of in the zone, the adrenaline was pumping,” she said. “I just wanted to get a nice solid hit.” Skyline pitcher Winter Ridgeway got the win for the Spartans, pitching the entire game, allowing 11 hits with six strikeouts and only one walk. Issaquah’s pitcher,
Bevell, had nearly identical stats, giving up 14 hits with six strikeouts and two walks. A win against rival Issaquah feels a little bit sweeter than other victories, Skyline catcher Tia Hedman admitted. Hedman had three hits, two of which were doubles, for the Spartans. “It means a lot to us,” she said. “Issaquah is our big rival, so for all of us, we were really pumped coming out here.” After spending nearly 10 years away from the
Skyline softball program, coach Ken Brooks felt right at home opening conference play against a familiar foe in Issaquah. Brooks coached Skyline from 1997 to 2003 and returned this year, replacing coach Alison Mitchell. “It was awesome. What a great win for these girls. They never quit,” he said. “I don’t care if both teams are 0-18 or 18-0, it’s going to be this kind of game every time.” See RIVALRY, Page B5
Patriots not happy with 3-1 win over Thunderbirds By Christina Corrales-Toy newcastle@isspress.com
PHOTOS BY GREG FARRAR
Alec Shimizu, Issaquah High School pitcher, warms up on the mound before pitching an inning at Safeco Field March 30 for a High School Baseball Classic game between the Eagles and Mount Si Wildcats. Twelve prep baseball teams from throughout the Puget Sound area got to play at the Major League ballpark over three weekends in Seattle prior to the beginning of the Mariners’ first home game of the regular season.
NO INSURANCE OF A WIN Eagles blanked 10-0 in matchup against Mount Si at Safeco Field
Nik Sutherland, Issaquah High School first baseman, is ready for the ball as Mount Si senior Connor Swift is brushed back on a pickoff attempt in the fifth inning.
Above, Jen Thomas, mother of Kyle Thomas, throws out the ceremonial first pitch. At right, Issaquah players stand on the top step of the visiting team dugout.
Rob Reese (center), Issaquah High School baseball coach, bumps fists with his players during team introductions.
Above, Tommy Medawar (24) and Andrew Huynh (left) swing their bats in the on-deck circle. At left, Blake Jones gets to base on a hit in a Major League ballpark.
If the Liberty High School scoreboard was functioning during the softball team’s matchup against Sammamish, it would have shown a 3-1 victory for the Patriots. The March 28 win against the Totems didn’t feel like much of an achievement for the Liberty coaches and players, though. “We won, but we really didn’t win,” first-year Liberty coach Zach Bartholomew said. “Mentally, it was a disaster and to play in this league, you’ve got to be better than that.” The Liberty softball program has had a lot of success through the years, making several state tournament appearances, including a ninth-place finish last year. As a result, the Liberty coaches and players hold themselves to a higher standard. That’s why the mental miscues, including missed signs and poor pitch selection, were so frustrating for the Liberty head coach. “We can come out and hit with the best of them, we can throw with the best of them, we’ve just got to get the mental side of the game to be perfect,” Bartholomew said. One Liberty player that showed a great deal of mental fortitude was sophomore pitcher Sydney Hopper, Bartholomew said. Hopper held Sammamish to one run in seven innings,
UP NEXT 4Liberty vs. Bellevue 44:30 p.m. April 4 4Bellevue High School allowing just three hits with eight strikeouts. “When I talk about mental toughness, she is what we want everybody else to be,” Bartholomew said. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on around her, she’s going to do everything she can. She’s going to throw her heart out, and from a sophomore, you can’t ask for more.” While Hopper continued to throw strikes from the mound, the Liberty offense struggled to string hits together. After five innings, the game was tied, 1-1. The Patriots were able to muster just enough offense in the sixth inning, scoring two runs. Olivia Kutzke drove in one with an RBI single and Ashley Knox drove in the other with a sacrifice fly to right field. The Liberty offense has all the potential to be explosive, Bartholomew said. Just a week before, the Patriots collected 22 hits against a tough Inglemoor team. The Liberty hitters struggled to adjust to Sammamish’s pitcher. “It goes to the mental focus,” he said. “You’ve got a slower pitcher out there today, so you’ve got to adjust. You’ve got to sit back See PATRIOTS, Page B5
BY GREG FARRAR
Miranda Bukantz, Liberty High School catcher, grins as she prepares to put out Haley Newton, of Sammamish, on a double play, to retire the side March 28 during the third inning of the Patriots’ 3-1 win over the Totems.
B6 • Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The Issaquah Press