Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Kodiak softball team upended by Colville in crossover playoff

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The stellar season of Kodiak fastpitch softball came to an end last Saturday in the crossover playoff game at Peshastin. Cascade, the number one seed from the Caribou Trail League, played the number four seed from the NEA League, Colville. 

The Indians did not play like a number four seed, knocking off the Kodiaks 9-2. 

Cascade had their hands full with hard throwing Gracie Schauls of Colville. After a scoreless first inning, Colville erupted for three runs in the second on two hits and three Cascade errors. The Indians took a 5-0 lead in the fourth on two hits and a Kodiak error. 

Cascade scored a run in the bottom of the fourth on two walks and two hit batters. The Kodiaks unfortunately ended the inning with the bases loaded. 

After a scoreless fifth inning, Colville broke the game open with four runs in the sixth on six hits. In the bottom of the sixth, Cascade senior Sarah Pickel smacked a long home run off the scoreboard to cut the lead to 9-2. 

Cascade rallied in the bottom of the seventh as Sarah Paulson led off with a double, followed by a Kaija Lovelady single. Sadly, that’s where the rally ended. 

Cascade ended the season with a 17-5 record. Cascade Head Coach Ken Krous could but tip his hat to the Colville team. 

“They came to play. The pitcher threw hard, located her pitches. We didn’t hit the ball very well today. We had a few miscues but that was not the difference in the game. They hit the ball hard,” Krous said. 

Certainly the big two-out rallies hurt. 

“We just couldn’t seem to get that third out in a couple innings and it made a big difference. They had a couple seeing-eye balls, hitting it right where we’re not. That’s the way it goes,” Krous said. 

It was sort of bad luck Cascade had to play Colville. 

“They had been number one in their league all season long. They had an off-day in their district tournament and ended up being the fourth seed. We faced their number one. It is what it is. You just have to come out and win ball games,” Krous said. 

Sarah Paulson pitched 7 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 12 hits with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks. Schauls pitched 7 innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 3 hits with 13 strikeouts and 3 walks. 

Lovelady was 1-for-4, Paulson 1-for-3 with a double. Pickel finished off her stellar career 1-for-3 with 2 runs, HR, RBI. She finished the season with a .560 batting average. 

“That home run she hit was an absolute bomb. She’s now tied for the single season home run record with Ali Schauer and Sydney Coffin. They all had nine in a season. She’s been a four year starter at shortstop,” Krous said. “She had a hamstring injury this season, but she never came out and hit the ball well.”

Despite the loss, it was a great season for the Kodiaks with league and district titles. 

“It’s a lot to be proud of. They’ve played well all year. It’s been a magical ride. They’ve battled. We’ve had some great games. Most of those games we’ve come out on top. I’m pretty proud of all of them,” Krous said. 

The future is bright too, for the Kodiaks, with many players coming back next season. 

“We have four seniors. We’ll miss them. The well is not dry. We’ll have both our pitchers back. There’s a good group coming through. There are some holes to fill, but we have kids ready to step up and fill them,” Krous said. 

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

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