Lady Kodiaks softball falls to Colville in crossover

The Cascade High softball team ended their 2019 campaign on May 18 with a 6-4 loss to Northeast A League Colville.

The Lady Kodiaks opened with two runs in the first inning, including one off Truh Merriman’s solo home run.

After a scoreless second frame, Colville went on a five-run rally to take the lead.

Cascade added one run in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the scoring gap 5-4.  The Lady indians added one more run in the sixth to seal the win.

Sarah Paulson took the loss on the mound, allowing nine hits and six runs and striking out seven batters.

Merriman was 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored. Paulson went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double. Kaija Lovelady, Renee Lambert, Jocelyn Rodriguez and Madison Hardy collected hits.

The loss brings Cascade’s overall record to 18-4. After a somewhat slow start, Cascade picked up momentum, winning seven of their first 10 games. The Lady Kodiaks ended their regular season with an 11-game winning streak, capturing the Caribou Trail League championship in the process.

After falling to Okanogan in the District 6 championship game, Cascade bounced back to defeat Chelan advance to the CTL-NEA crossover.

Head Coach Todd Gilbert felt the team had a good season and improved in several areas throughout the season, especially when it came to offense. Although the Lady Kodiaks did not return to the state tournament, Gilbert said the team can hold "their heads up with pride." 

"An 18 win season including a league championship is something to take pride in," he added. "This group of young ladies worked very hard to continue a very successful tradition of Cascade Fastpitch and did so."

The Lady Kodiaks lose several seniors to graduation - Lovelady, Paulson,  Madeline Schiefelbein, Nicole Dunn, Kayla Bittle and Alondra Acevedo.

Several players are set to return net season, including power hitter Merriman, Lambert, who spent some time on the mound, Autumn West and Madison Hardy. 

"While this group of seniors will be missed and leave some big shoes to fill, we are looking forward to the future and the challenge of continued excellence," Gilbert said.