Friday Harbor wins district fastpitch title, to make fourth straight state tourney trip

Wolverine head coach Brian Lambright is especially proud of his senior interior infielders — second baseman Mili Holt and shortstop Savannah Hoffman for their contributions over the past four seasons. “That’s an achievement to go to state four years in a row,” he said.

A return to the state tourney also wouldn’t be possible without assistant coaches Kirk Holt, Mandy Pong, Bob Pauls and Shannon Miniken, according to Lambright. He commended them for “getting the team ready to compete.”

The Wolverines (14-7) starts the double-elimination state tourney against Ocosta (19-6) at 11 a.m. Friday, May 25 in Yakima’s Gateway Sports Complex. Orcas (12-4) opens against Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (19-4) at 9 a.m.

With the district title victory, the Wolverines recorded their fourth win this season over their cross-water rivals. “It’s always exciting to compete and win,” Lambright said. “This team is extremely hard-working.They’re winning not just because of their natural abilities but because of their hard work.”

Friday Harbor out-hit Orcas 18-8 and committed three errors to the Vikings’ eight. “We’re going to score runs,” Lambright said. “If we don’t make mistakes, it’s hard to score on us.”

However, Lambright noted the Vikings improved this season under Orcas coach Kevin White’s guidance. “He’s done a great job of getting that team from where they were last year to where it is today.”

Friday Harbor went up 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Orcas scored three runs in the second inning and became the first Class 2B District 1 team to hold a lead against Friday Harbor this season. The Wolverines responded by knotting the game in the bottom of the frame and added a run in the third, four in the fourth and two fifth for a 12-3 lead. The Vikings scored two in the sixth but the Wolverines plated three in the bottom of the frame for the 10-run victory.

Thea Seitz ripped a triple and two singles, drove in three runs, stole two bases and scored twice for the Wolverines. Ava Hoffman smacked four base hits, scored twice and batted in a run. Bristol Halvorson hit a pair singles, scored twice, drove in two and stole a base. Mili Holt doubled, singled, drove in two and scored once. Bailee Lambright singled twice, had an RBI and scored once. Darcy Ayers cracked two hits and scored twice. Jayna Ott singled and scored twice. Liz Cruz rapped a base hit and reached base on balls. Savannah Hoffman singled, worked a walk and scored a run. Soma Andrews scored a run and stole a base.

Siri Lindstrum notched the win for the Wolverines. She fanned four batters, walked one, allowed four hits and gave up one earned run in three innings. Grace Pauls struck out one, walked two, allowed four hits and didn’t give up an earned run over three innings of relief.

Alyssa Johns smacked three singles for the Vikings and drove in a run. Emma Rodgers singled and had an RBI. Katy Minnis singled twice. Lindsey Simpson had a base hit, walked and scored. Ella Nelson singled and scored. Astasia Monahan reached base on balls and scored. Flora Lister worked a walk and scored. Sofia Garcia drove in a run.

The Vikings’ Lister struck out five, walked three, and gave up 18 hits and eight earned runs in the loss.

Matt Pranger photos