Monday, March 18, 2024

Kodiak softball team beats Lynden Christian in season opener

Posted

With their home field still snow covered, the Cascade Kodiak softball team played at Walla Walla Point Park on March 17 for the first game of the season, picking up a 9-6 win over Lynden Christian. Sophomore Sarah Paulson was in the circle. 

Cascade opened the scoring with a walk by Kaija Lovelady, then an RBI double by Truh Merriman. Cascade led 1-0. The Kodiaks went up 2-0 in the second as Lovelady drove in Sarah Pickel on an RBI groundout. 

Lynden Christian got on the board with a home run in the top of the third. Cascade came right back with a run in the bottom of the frame, on hits by Analia Vasquez and Olivia Stoddard. Cascade went up 5-1 with a pair of runs in the fourth, on hits by Sarah Paulson and Vasquez. 

The Kodiak went up 8-1 in the fifth on hits by Pickel, Stoddard and Paulson. The Lancers came right back with five runs in the sixth to cut the lead to 8-6. Two of the LC hits were home runs, which is tough without fences.

Cascade scored another run in the sixth to make the score 9-6 on singles by Kaitlyn Craig and Paulson and a double by Stoddard. Merriman came in to pitch the seventh and put the Lancers down in order. 

“Sarah Paulson, but for the one inning, really dominated in the circle racking up 11 strikeouts and only 2 walks. We got hits from girls up and down the lineup. I am really proud of their effort today,” said Cascade Head Coach Ken Krous. 

Stoddard was 4-for-4 with 2 runs, a double and an RBI. Paulson was 3-for-4 with 2 runs and 5 RBIs. Vasquez was 2-for-4 with an RBI. 

“It was great to finally get outside and play on the dirt and feel and smell the grass. We have been making the gym work, but there is no substitute for being outside,” Krous said. 

Cascade played a non-league game at Ephrata on March 21. Results were not available before press time. The Kodiaks play at Cle Elum on Thursday. They are at Wenatchee on Monday, then are scheduled to host Chelan on Tuesday, field conditions permitting. 

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here