Softball team splits double header with Mount Baker

The Cascade Softball team was one of the only teams in action over the spring break. They hosted a non-league double-header against Mount Baker on April 6. The Kodiaks won the first game 4-1, behind the strong pitching from Sarah Paulson.
The Kodiaks took a 1-0 lead in the first as Kaija Lovelady walked, then came around to score on a Paulson single. Cascade took a 4-0 lead with three runs in the second on 3 hits and 2 walks. Truh Merriman had a big two-out, 2 RBI single.
Mount Baker picked up a run in the fourth as they loaded the bases and scored on a throwing error.
“We got a few runs early with some timely hitting and that turned out to be enough as Sarah was very good in the circle today with good movement and ability to locate. The team really played well defensively behind her as well,” said Cascade Head Coach Todd Gilbert.
Paulson pitched 7 innings, giving up no earned runs, 4 hits with 10 strikeouts and 3 walks. Merriman went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Lovelady was 2-for-3 with 2 runs and an RBI. Colby West was 2-for-3.
Mount Baker jumped all over the Kodiaks in the second game, winning 14-3. It was scoreless until the third inning when Mount Baker scored 6 runs on 6 hits and 1 error. Mount Baker took a 7-0 in the fourth before Cascade plated 3 runs in the fifth.
The visitors put the game away with 4 runs in the 6th inning and 3 more in the 7th.
“This one started out like it was going to be another good defensive game. However, Mt. Baker started hitting the ball well and took advantage of some defensive errors and walks on our part,” Gilbert said. “We weren’t able to do much against their pitcher in this one either and missed some opportunities early.”
Merriman pitched 4 innings, giving 4 earned runs on 9 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks. Lovelady pitched 3 innings, giving up 7 earned runs on 4 hits with 2 strikeouts and 6 walks.
Lovelady was 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Alondra Acevedo was 1-for-2 with an RBI.
“All in all we split with a good team today and it was nice to get two games in considering the weather we’ve been having. It was also good to have these games so we didn’t have too much time off before resuming league play this week,” Gilbert said.
Cascade hosted Cashmere on April 10. Results were not available before press time. The Kodiaks play at Cashmere on Thursday. On Saturday, they host Chelan for a double-header.
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.