Kodiak softball team opens league play against Chelan, Okanogan

It was a busy week for the Cascade Kodiak fastpitch softball team with games against Chelan,
Cle Elum and Okanogan. Cascade began league play on March 27 at Chelan.
The Kodiaks jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Sarah Paulson led off with double off the wall. Colby West had an RBI double. Cascade capitalized on four hits and a walk.
Chelan scored two runs in the bottom of the first off two Kodiak errors and two hits to cut the lead to 5-2. In the third, Cascade went up 6-2 as Rylee Jacobson reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored on a throwing error.
The Goats tied the game with four runs in the bottom of the third, thanks to three hits and a Cascade error. The Kodiaks jumped on the Goats in the fourth with four runs to go up 10-6. Paulson had an RBI double.
Chelan tied the game against in the bottom of the inning with four runs on four hits, a walk and an error. Cascade jumped back on top with six runs in the sixth inning. Andrea Sorensen had 2 RBIs.
The Kodiaks won 16-10.
“Both teams struggled defensively early in this game. The difference was that after the fourth inning, we got much better in the circle and defensively. While Chelan made a lot of errors, especially in bunt situations, we capitalized on those errors with strong hitting. We had 14 hits in the game. Our girls showed a lot of grit, rising to each of Chelan’s challenges and getting better as the game went on,” said Cascade Head Coach Todd Gilbert.
Paulson pitched 7 innings, giving up 6 earned runs on 10 hits with 11 strikeouts and 2 walks. Sorensen was 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs. Kaija Lovelady was 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Paulson was 3-for-6 with 2 RBIs.
Cascade played a makeup game on March 29 at home against Cle Elum. It seemed like a good defensive struggle as both teams only had one baserunner in the first two innings. In the third, an error opened the door for Cle Elum to hit a three-run homer.
The Warriors would score in every inning after that, including eight times in the sixth. In the end, Cle Elum piled up 16 runs on 11 hits and 4 Kodiak errors to win 16-2.
KeMesah Howard was dominate in the circle for Cle Elum. She went 5 innings, giving up no runs, 2 hits with 5 strikeouts and no walks. Gilbert said Cle Elum played better than the Kodiaks in all phases of the game.
“We were not able to accomplish much offensively, and they made a couple great plays to keep us from scoring a few runs early. However, we just have to keep working and improving on defense. Half their runs were unearned runs,” Gilbert said. “That pretty much matches the season totals thus far. When we play teams of Cle Elum’s caliber that isn’t going to work out well.”
Truh Merriman pitched 5 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 8 hits with 2 walks. Lovelady pitched one inning, giving 3 earned runs and 2 walks. Merriman was 1-for-3 with a double. Lovelady was 2-for-3 with a double and 2 RBIs.
Last Saturday, Cascade split a double-header with Okanogan. Despite a stellar pitching performance by Paulson, the Kodiaks lost the opener 4-3. Cascade had the tying run on second in the final inning, but could not drive the run across.
“We had a good opportunity to win this one but they were better on defense and at base running. While we had six hits and 6 batters walked, we just couldn’t get many timely hits to score more runs, especially with two outs. All four of their run were unearned and we had to earn all three of ours. Unfortunately we were not able to take advantage of a very good pitching performance by Sarah Paulson,” Gilbert said.
Paulson pitched 7 innings, giving up no earned runs on 4 hits with 12 strikeouts and 4 walks. Jocelyn Rodriguez was 2-for-2 with a double and 2 RBIs.
The Kodiaks came roaring back in the second game, winning 12-2. The game turned in Cascade’s favor with Okanogan starting pitcher could not continue due to shoulder soreness. Over the next two inning, Cascade scored 11 runs on 5 hits with 7 walks and 5 Bulldog errors.
“The game definitely turned when they were forced to change pitchers, and we were able to take advantage of it. Our girls did a great job of staying in there and working hard all day, and that eventually paid off for us in the second game,” Gilbert said. “Truh Merriman did a nice job of giving us some quality innings in game two, which enabled Paulson to get a break until later in the game. The defense played well behind Merriman to keep us in it.”
Merriman pitched 3.1 innings, giving up 1 earned run on 4 hits with 1 strikeout and no walks. Paulson pitched in relief, going 2.2 innings, giving up no runs, no hits with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk.
Paulson was 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs.
Cascade is 2-1 in league play and 3-4 overall. Next up, at home double header on Friday against Mount Baker. The Kodiaks host Cashmere on April 10.
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.