Wild, windy day doesn't stop Lady Knights

Prep softball recaps

ROYAL CITY - Question: How do you wreak havoc at a girls fastpitch softball game?

Answer: Try manufacturing a driving dust storm with winds approaching 50 miles per hour.

That was the scenario on Tuesday for the Royal Knights and Cle Elum-Roslyn Warriors in their South Central Athletic Conference matchup. What appeared to be a calm afternoon quickly dissolved into chaos as a dust storm swept through the Columbia Basin and made playing softball as tough as landing on the moon.

"It was just miserable weather and I don't think the girls were prepared for that," Royal coach Bill Barker said.

What followed was an error-filled contest that lasted three hours, 20 minutes. The teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader, but called off the nightcap after Royal emerged victorious in eight innings, 15-14.

"We've got to correct some things," Barker noted. "It was not a good showing on our behalf, but I think the weather had some play in it."

The Knights, who have several returning veterans from last season's 1A state tournament qualifier, looked far from that role early in Tuesday's game.

Sophomore Katrina Werlinger, Royal's star pitcher last year, struggled with her command as wind gusts tore through the infield. Werlinger ended up lasting five innings, but surrendered all 14 Warrior runs on 10 walks.

"She just could not adjust to the wind," Barker said. "We just left her in there to see how far she'd go."

Shortstop Leslie Brown was called on in relief for the final three innings, and Brown walked only one. That allowed the Knights to load the bases in the eighth and score the winning run with a walk.

Seven of Werlinger's passes came during the first two innings. An error by second baseman Page Woodward cost Royal two runs in the first, though a sparkling double play turned into by center fielder Dani Callahan kept the Warriors to one run in the second.

Royal had no trouble capitalizing on offense. The Knights plated six runs in the first, one coming on Alyssa Christensen's RBI single and another on Stephanie Bartlett's opposite-field triple. Bartlett went 2 for 5 to lead the Knights.

Royal had a 12-4 lead after two, but Cle Elum-Roslyn scored three in the third and seven in the fourth to tie things up.

The Lady Knights have their smallest program in Barker's 22-year tenure - this is the first season they won't field three teams - but Barker feels good about their chances of returning to state.

Royal's main competition in SCAC play should come from Connell, Kiona-Benton and Warden, the coach said.

"Anybody can beat anybody - that's a proven fact," Barker said.

Warden 11, Cheney 3

WARDEN - The Lady Cougars, who are also coming off a 1A state berth in 2007, got their new season off to a fast start on Tuesday by blowing away the Blackhawks in non-league competition.

Warden put up five runs in the first and was never threatened, thanks to a solid pitching performance from Randi Wright. She went the distance, allowing four hits and one walk against seven strikeouts.

Offensively, the Cougars got a big lift from Kat Martin, who drove in three runs with a triple and a home run. Amanda Martin went 2 for 2 with three runs scored, Sandra Castereno was 3 for 4, and Amanda Martinez was 2 for 3 with a triple.

Warden had 14 hits in all, and capitalized on four Cheney errors.