Aaliyah Enriquez, Building a record pitch by pitch

WARDEN — Throw after throw, Aaliyah Enriquez’s rise ball rose just a little too far and clanged against the backstop.

“Are you trying to hit me or something?” Warden head coach Wes Richins said.

Jokes aside, it’s these extra throwing sessions after practice that have molded Enriquez into one of the best pitchers in the region. She recently threw for about 20 minutes, but there have been nights when Enriquez stayed as late as 7 p.m., trying to perfect a certain pitch or get just the right movement to the outside corner of the plate.

That work has translated into 547 strikeouts — a school record by 82.

“At home I’m always doing wrist flips and I’m always trying to do something to improve what I’m doing,” Enriquez said. “I want to perfect it, even my rise ball and everything. It’s not really working out for me right now, but yesterday I was out in the field staying until like 7 (p.m.) just trying to get it, trying to get it. So I think putting in the work and staying after practice really helps and being determined helped me break it.”

With still 18 games left in the regular season, Enriquez will likely finish her high school career with over 600 strikeouts. For good measure, Enriquez also owns the single-game strikeout record with 20 punch-outs against Kittitas in 2014.

More, Enriquez will also have a shot at becoming the winning-est pitcher at Warden. She entered this season with 47 wins — six away from the school record — and recently picked up a 4-1 victory over Omak in the season-opener with, of course, seven strikeouts.

“Her first two years she was in the 1As and she was able to dominate really at a young age,” Richins said. “You’ve got to be strong as a freshmen to be able to do that and she’s done that and she works all year at it. This is what she wants to do. Her dream is to pitch in college.”

Enriquez moved a step closer to achieving that dream after she signed with Wenatchee Valley College in February, joining teammate Allycia Gonzales.

“It was a relief to know where I’m going and I know that it’s only a community college, but I’d rather go somewhere where I’m going to get playing time and I will be able to improve. Being there will help decide what I want to do after that. If I want to continue to play and I do I’m ready. I’m already there and so I already have a better shot at actually starting on a team. So it feels like an accomplishment.”

Before continuing their softball careers next year as Knights, Enriquez and Gonzales will duel for one more spot in the Warden record books this season. Gonzales has 16 career home runs, while Enriquez has 12. Both players will likely finish with the second and third most in school history, well behind leader Iris Rodriguez.

Even though the calendar has turned to April, Warden’s season is still in its infancy due to rain-outs and scheduling conflicts. However, the Cougars will again be in contention for a Central Washington 2B South league championship and district championship. But Enriquez has one more team trophy in mind.

“I want to place at state,” she said. “I think we’re capable of doing that. We’re a really well-rounded team and we have our strong points and I think that the season will go well.”