Youthful Royal squad headed for state again
Lady Knights softball plays Montesano Friday
YAKIMA — Making an appearance at the state softball tournament is nothing new for Royal High School and head coach Bill Barker.
The Lady Knights have earned a spot at state in 22 of the past 24 seasons. But rarely have they done it with such a youthful roster: Royal's 2007 lineup features three freshmen and only three seniors, which makes Barker unsure of expectations when the 1A tournament begins Friday at Moses Lake's Paul Lauzier Athletic Complex.
"We could do well (or) we could be out in two games," Barker said. "I've got a very young team. I've never had freshmen start, and I've got three this year that play on the varsity. That's a good sign down the road for us."
Two of those freshmen — Leslie Brown and Katrina Werlinger — were key contributors to the Lady Knights' success at last weekend's district tournament. Royal won its first two games and solidified the South Central Athletic Conference's No. 2 seed to state.
The Lady Knights began the postseason last Thursday, winning an 8-7 decision in nine innings at Cle Elum.
After Cle Elum grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning, Royal responded with a two-run second and a four-run third to take a comfortable lead. Comfortable, but not secure, as the Warriors placed two in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.
In the top of the ninth, Royal second baseman Kori Scroggins led off with a single. She went to second base on a wild pitch and scored one out later on a single from outfielder Melissa Dixon.
Royal had 15 hits in the game against Warrior pitcher Jocelyn Slack. Scroggins finished 3 for 5 with four runs scored and a run batted in. Dixon was 3 for 5 with three runs and an RBI, while Brown was 2 for 5 with two RBIs.
Werlinger, Royal's starting pitcher, went six innings. She gave up six runs — four earned — on six hits and four walks. Werlinger struck out seven. Brown relieved Werlinger in the seventh, picking up the win by allowing one run on two hits, four walks and two strikeouts.
The victory moved Royal into a Saturday semifinal game with the Connell Eagles at Yakima's Gateway Sports Complex. The Knights won 8-3 behind a 10-hit attack against Connell pitcher Debbie Molsbarger.
Royal took control in the fourth inning, scoring five times. First baseman Tawnee Gonzales came up with a two-run single, with Stephanie Bartlett and Werlinger each singling in one run.
Senior shortstop Kiya Stakkeland had a 3 for 4 effort at the plate, while catcher Alyssa Christensen and Bartlett were both 2 for 4. Werlinger got the win, allowing five hits.
That moved Royal into Saturday's district championship game against Zillah. Bartlett had a solid outing on the mound, giving up six hits, but was outdone by Zillah pitcher Joy Myers in a 4-1 defeat. Myers tossed a two-hitter to lead the Leopards to the championship. Brown and Stakkeland had Royal's two hits.
Royal opens state tournament play Friday at 1 p.m. against the Montesano Bulldogs, champions of the Evergreen League.
Barker said Tuesday he's in the process of scouting the Bulldogs. Montesano features two talented and hard-throwing pitchers — senior Kaylee Frafjord was her league's MVP and sophomore Mikayla Shumate was a first team selection. Getting to them may be the key to victory, Barker said.
"We're working on speeding up our bats, bunting and slapping at the ball," Barker said. "They're a good ball club but they rely on their pitchers. We were told if you get on them, they get rattled."
If Royal beats Montesano, it plays in a 7 p.m. quarterfinal game Friday against the winner of the Kettle Falls-Chimacum contest. A loss puts the Knights in a 5 p.m. loser-out contest against one of the above teams. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.