Prep Softball Roundup: Opening Week Around The Diamond
First Pitches – Mark Morris wins battle of aces; and the rest of the action
Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com
Monarchs take down Heritage on Opening Day
Mark Morris had to hit the road and take on a Division 1 bound pitcher for its season opener at Heritage last Tuesday. But the Monarchs had their own ace up their sleeve to help pick up an 11-9 victory over the T-Wolves.
Jaila Ellis, who is committed to Delaware, got the start for Heritage and struck out five batters while allowing three hits and no runs over three innings.
Meanwhile, the Monarchs turned to Makenzie Henthorn, their ace who recently announced her commitment to the University of Montana. Henthorn allowed seven earned runs on six hits while striking out 11 batters in a compete game effort.
Despite a pair of D1 aces in the circle, the game was a high scoring affair with 19 combined hits and 16 bases on balls.
Mark Morris pounded out 13 of those hits, and led by a half dozen runs heading into the bottom of the fifth frame.
Heritage closed the gap by scoring on a home run, a single, a double, a walk, a single, and an error.
Heritage was the first to get on the board in the first when a passed ball scored one run.
Mikaila Warfield, a transfer from Ilwaco, tallied a pairof hits in her debut for the Monarchs. That output included a double and two runs batted in.
Paisley Fraidenburg, a transfer from Toutle Lake, posted threee hits with two RBIs out of the leadoff spot, while Shyanne Sellers notched three hits and scored three runs in the three hole.
After Fraidenburg tied the game with an RBI singles in the fourth inning, the Monarchs came back tscore six runs in the top of the fifth. That outburst included a two-run single by Grace Woodbridge.
But Heritage hammered its way back into contention with two runs in the fifth and sixth innings, and four more in the seventh. Ellis attempted to help her own cause with a home run and two RBIs in the contest.
However, the Monarchs added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh and managed to collect the 21st out with two runs to spare.
“It was a great start for us today,” MM head coach Chris Mejia said. “There are a couple of things to work out defensively but the bats are already working and our new edition players are fitting right in with our returning team nicely.”
Mark Morris (1-0) is scheduled to play at Evergreen on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Big Sky Future
Makenzie Henthorn is now 1-0 in her junior season, and sitting pretty with her verbal commitment to Montana on wax.
“I am beyond excited to commit to play Division 1 softball at the University of Montana,” Henthorn said in a prepared statement. “I chose the University of Montana because of the incredible coaching staff, school amenities, facilities and programs along with the Missoula area. It’s truly amazing and feels like home!”
Last season Henthorn was 13-3 in the circle with 240 stirkeouts. She posted a 1.20 ERA, and limited opponents to just a .150 batting average.
Kelso holds off Beavers in season opener
The Hilanders opened their season with a 10-6 win over Woodland at home last Friday.
Kelso scored seven runs in the third inning and added three more in the sixth, pouding out a dozen hits along the way.
Paityn Mackin led Kelso wtih two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. She also earned the win in the circle with 12 strikeouts over five innings. Mackin allowe just one unearned run and one hit.
Kallanah Hagdahl added a pinch-hit two-run home run for the Lassies. Karsyn Hall and Skylar Richie each tallied two hits and drove in a run in the win.
Woodland rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh inning, but saw its comeback fall short. Addi Christensen posted three hits, including a pair of doubles, with three runs batted in for the Beavers. Alex Alpanalp added a hit and an RBI in the loss.
Chirstensen pitched the final three innings for Woodland, allowing three earned runs on two hits, while striking out three batters.
Kelso (1-0) is scheduled to host W.F. West on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Woodlands opens season with romp over Castle Rock
Woodland opened its season with a 19-2 win at home over Castle Rock on Thursday.
The Beavers pounded out 18 hits and scored in each of their four turns to the plate in the five-inning affair.
Ainsleigh Utter led the Beavers with four hits, including a double and a triple, and five RBIs out of the leadoff spot. Brynn Skeleton added four hits, with a double in the mix, while diriving in one run.
Woodland scored seven runs in the first inning and added six in the second to take control of the game.
Addi Christensen added two hits with two runs batted in, while Madison Walker tallied one hit and four RBIs. Madison Walker and Christensen each tallied two-baggers in the win, while Jolie Oathes notched a triple and an RBI.
Aundraya Rister led Castle Rock at the plat with one hit and a run batted in. Additional stats were not made available to BZM.
Castle Rock (0-1) is scheduled to play a league doubleheader at Stevenson on Tuesday afternoon.
Woodland lost 10-6 to Kelso in their follow up affair on Frirday (see above). The Beavers defeated Hoquiam 14-8 on Monday. Check back to BZM soon for full details on that game.
Woodland (2-1) is scheduled to play at Elma on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Winlock run down by Morton-White Pass in opener
The Cardinals were six outs from a convincing victory in their season opener on Saturday, but allowed eight runs over the final two frames on the eay to an 11-10 loss at home to Morton-White Pass.
Winlock built up a 6-3 lead over the first five frames of the Central 2B Leagu contest before the T-Wolves rallied back in dramatic fashion.
Cali Geehan went 2 for 4 at the plate and drove in two runs for the Cards. She also struck out seven batters over seven innings, while allowing nine earned runs in the circle.
Once the Cards got into the habit of trading runs back and forth, it didn’t take long for them to wind up in the red.
Brooklyn Montoure led the T-Wolves with two hits, including a double, and three runs batted in. Lexi Moe went 2 for 2 with a triple, while Izzy Loucks drove in a pair of run while notching one hit.
Bria Elkins picked up the win for the T-Wolves after allowing seven hits and just two earned runs over seven innings. She also struck out a dozen batters.
Winlock (0-2) lost 22-1 at home to Toutle Lake on Monday. Check back to BZM soon for full details on that game. The Cards will be back in action on Thursday at home for another league contest against the Mountaineers of Rainier.
Editor’s Note: Reports during the first week of spring sports were delayed due to a confluence of factors including, but not limited to, a spring fever that could not even be cured by more cowbell. Readers can expect frequent updates from the diamond going forward.
