When Brianna Standlee’s fly ball fell into the grasp of Puyallup’s Danielle Moore in right field in the bottom of the seventh inning, a memorable celebration took shape in front of the Puyallup dugout on the first base line.
The Vikings had reason to celebrate due to their 6-2 win against Kentwood on May 17, clinching a berth at the Class 4A state tournament scheduled for May 23 and 24 at SERA Fields in Tacoma. The last time the Vikings advanced to the state tourney was in 1998.
Freshman pitcher Kelsey Robinson picked up her third win at districts against Kentwood, going the distance in the biggest game of her life thus far.
“I was so nervous but my defense backed me up the whole tournament,” Robinson said. “It feels good. I never expected to do this well in my first year with the team. I’m so happy about us going to state. It’s just a great feeling.”
Senior Sophia Jones couldn’t wipe the smile off of her face following the victory. Jones remembers her freshman season, in 2005, when the Vikings weren’t even close to the team they’ve become this year.
“My freshman year we only won four or five games and hadn’t been to districts since 2000,” Jones said. “We have an amazing group of girls and have come a long way.”
Jones said Robinson is cool as ever under pressure.
“I love having Kelsey on our team. Nothing gets to her,” Jones said. “She’s great under pressure and is the best pitcher we’ve had at Puyallup in a long time.”
Jones admitted she could hardly contain herself seconds before her team recorded the final out.
“I was thinking, ‘Catch it. It’s right there. You got it.’ That’s what was going through my mind. It’s just a surreal feeling. We’ve worked so hard and now we have reached our goal.”
Vikings keep the dream alive, win loser-out contest
Puyallup fended off Bellarmine Prep in a loser-out contest, nabbing a 4-1 victory keeping their hopes of advancing to the state tournament alive on May 17.
Puyallup’s senior leader Jones recorded three RBI after doubling to left center field early in the game to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead. Jones was thrown out at third base after attempting to stretch a stand up double into a triple.
“The bases were loaded and Sophia nailed one into the gap for us,” Vikings coach tony Batinovich said. “She got thrown out at third base but it didn’t matter. It was the key play in the game.”
With the victory, Puyallup was in preparation for their final contest later in the day against Kentwood. The winner of that contest would advance to the Class 4A state tournament on May 23 at SERA Fields in Tacoma.
“We’re seven innings away from reaching our goal,” Batinovich said before the game. “I’m proud of these kids. This is the first time we’ve even been to districts in awhile and we have a shot at the state tournament.”
Tigers nab victory in ninth, fend off Viks in close game
Stadium and Puyallup were entrenched in 0-0 game for the better part of two hours. Finally, Stadium broke through in the top of ninth scoring two runs and were able to fend off Puyallup’s threat in the bottom of the ninth, preserving a 2-1 victory in the second round of districts on May 16.
Stadium’s Heidy Wells scored the first run of the game when Puyallup’s Amber Tomlinson tried to catch Jacqelin Casteton stealing second base. Tomlinson’s errant throw to the outfield allowed Wells to score putting Stadium up 1-0. Stadium captured their second run courtesy of a Rebecca Cable single to right field, scoring Casteton from third base, giving Stadium a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Puyallup’s Kylie McChensey crossed the plate but it would the only run Puyallup could muster up for the remainder of the contest.
“It was a well played game. We battled the whole time,” Batinovich said. “Stadium is a great team. They’ve been to the state tournament three years in a row. We played them right down to the end. Stadium has been in that type of position before.”
Batinovich said competing against such a quality opponent could be a valuable learning experience.
“It was new to our players,” Batinovich said. “Hopefully we can take what we learned against them and do what they did to someone else.”
Robinson comes through for Vikings, in victory
Robinson sure doesn’t play like a freshman when she enters the pitching circle. The fabulous freshman went the distance, allowing just one run in a complete game 5-1 triumph against Olympia on May 16 in the first round of the district playoffs.
“It’s always nice to get the first one. Getting the first win is a big deal,” Batinovich said.
Batinovich was impressed with Robinson’s performance. Even though, it was something he expected.
“She’s only a ninth grader but she’s won 16 games for us this season. She’s our no. 1 pitcher,” Batinovich said. “I can’t say enough about what kind of job she’s done for us.”
The chemistry between Robinson and catcher Amber Tomlinson has played a role in Robinson’s success this season.
“Kelsey is a freshman and Tomlinson is a sophomore. They are both young and are the perfect combination together,” Batinovich said. “That’s kind of a good thing to see and will help us during this tournament.”
Robinson was glad her team was able to get off to a sizzling start.
“It feels good. I hope we can keep this up,” Robinson said. “I think this will help us in our upcoming games. Our defense played great. We just overall played our game out there.”
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