Rogers’ ace hurler Bobbi-Jo Schaapveld put an end to the Emerald Ridge Jaguars softball teams’ storybook season at the district tournament.
Schaapveld pitched a shutout, allowing only three hits in Rogers’ 2-0 victory against Emerald Ridge on May 17.
Emerald Ridge hurler Alexa Derrick pitched brilliantly from the circle allowing zero earned runs. Both of Rogers’ runs were unearned because of Emerald Ridge errors in the field.
But even with two miscues in the field, Jaguars coach Lynn Wardle said his team couldn’t muster up a rally when they needed it in what ended up being the final game of their season.
“It seemed like the entire year we’ve had one good inning every game,” Wardle said. “That was all we needed but we just didn’t get it in this one. But we didn’t quit. The girls gave it everything they had.”
Wardle said his team has plenty to be proud of pertaining to their performances throughout the 2008 season.
“We finished only one game away from the state tournament,” Wardle said. “They have a lot to be proud of. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way. I’m proud of everyone of them.”
Jags score hard earned victory against Olympia
Through the first four innings of play, Emerald Ridge was staring a 3-1 deficit right in the face against Olympia on May 17 in a loser-out game. Finally, Emerald Ridge’s bats got hot in the top of the fifth, as the Jags scored five runs on three hits giving themselves a 5-3 lead. Jaguars players scoring runs in the inning consisted of Massey Kristine, Kimber Rhodes, Brittney Davis and Alisha McKnight.
In the bottom of the fifth, Derrick was inserted into the ball game in relief of starting pitcher McKnight.
Wardle’s move paid off as Derrick shutout Olympia in the final three innings of play, preserving a 5-3 victory.
Wardle said he’s grateful he has two pitchers on the roster who can get the job done.
“Alisha and Alexa are both good pitchers. With the heat as high as it was today (temperatures reached 90 degrees) I thought it would be good to give Alisha some rest and bring in a fresh arm,” Wardle said. “It’s nice to have that one, two punch you can count on.”
Even when the Jaguars trailed by two runs in the latter stages of the game, Wardle said he was confident his squad would find a way to win and move on to the next round.
“I’m always confident in our team. It seems like we always come through with one or two big innings,” Wardle said. “Our big inning was the fifth today. Our pinch hitter Massey Kristine got it started and we picked it up from there.”
Cougars corral Jags in low scoring affair in close game
Emerald Ridge pitcher Alexa Derrick pitched a gem in a must win contest for the Jaguars on May 16 in their second game of the district tournament.
Unfortunately for Derrick and the Jaguars, their offensive attack was stymied by Central Kitsap pitcher Carolyn Cross.
Cross allowed only four hits and Central Kitsap scored a run of their own in the top of the third, defeating the Jaguars 1-0. Central Kitsap recorded three infield hits, pushing one run across to guarantee themselves a berth at the state tournament.
“Usually when you allow one run you win,” Wardle said. “We were just on the wrong side of a 1-0 game. We didn’t hit the ball well and it cost us.”
Jags get off to roaring start, tack on five in the sixth
The Emerald Ridge bats were silent until Brittany Rusler busted the their district opening game wide open against Bellarmine Prep in the bottom of the fourth on May 16. Rusler got her team on the board, blasting a deep fly ball to left field. The ball hit the fence on a hop and Rusler motored around the basepaths for an inside the park two run homerun, giving her team a 2-1 lead. The Jaguars tacked on five runs in the bottom of the sixth, cruising to a 7-1 victory against Bellarmine Prep in their opening round game of the West Central District tournament.
Wardle said his team may have experienced first game jitters before busting out their hitting sticks in the fourth and sixth.
“They started to relax and once we did that we let it fly,” Wardle said. “At first we were trying so hard and pressing. But we finally got it going. Once you start hitting it becomes contagious.”
Wardle knew Rusler had the ability to hustle around the bases for an inside the park homerun once the ball levitated off of her bat.
“The ball went all the way to the fence and their cutoff was way out in the outfield,” Wardle said. “It was a no brainer decision. I was going to send her.”
Emerald Ridge hurler Alisha McKnight tossed a complete game, fanning 10 Bellarmine hitters while scattering six hits in seven innings of work.
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