Trophy barely eludes Kentlake’s grasp

No matter the circumstances, Kentlake knew it faced adversity in the Class 4A state softball tournament last weekend at South End Recreation Area in Tacoma.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Wednesday, May 28, 2008 12:00am
  • Sports

No matter the circumstances, Kentlake knew it faced adversity in the Class 4A state softball tournament last weekend at South End Recreation Area in Tacoma.

The Falcons wouldn’t have it any other way.

Defending champion Shadle Park of Spokane upended Kentlake in the opening round on Friday, 5-1, putting the Falcons into the consolation bracket.

Kentlake fought its way through three consolation rounds before falling 6-1 to Redmond in the consolation semifinals on Saturday afternoon, capping off a 23-6 season and a tie for fifth at state.

“It was somewhat indicative of our whole year, where we’ve had to come back against adversity,” said coach Greg Kaas. “We proved to ourselves that we can face adversity. We said there are a lot tougher things in life that they’ve got to face than this.”

Shadle Park pitcher Sam Skillingstad tallied 19 strikeouts and delivered on offense with two RBIs for the Highlanders, who wound up second after Eastlake beat them in Saturday’s title game, 4-1.

Kentlake fell into a 3-0 hole against Central Kitsap in the first-round consolation game. But freshman Jessie Richardson had three RBIs with a bases-clearing double to cap a five-run third inning, and the Falcons, with seniors Caitlyn Duggan and Felecia Harris splitting the pitching duties, hung on for a 5-4 victory.

“We never give up because some teams, they get down after that first game if they lose. But yeah, it was a tough game,” Harris said. “But we came back and we planned on going as far as we could.”

Kentlake’s weekend was far from over, and Harris wanted to make sure of it. Harris pitched a 1-0 shutout against Richland in the second consolation round and provided all the offense with a fourth-inning home run.

Harris pitched for a fourth time in 24 hours against Stadium in the consolation quarterfinals and showed no signs of restlessness, striking out 14 Tigers. Senior Lauren Nielsen added 3 hits and two RBIs in the 3-1 victory.

“(We) learned that anything can happen,” said the University of Washington-bound Harris. “We can beat any team; any team can beat us any given day. In districts, we lost to Stadium and we were really upset about that. But we went out today and beat them.”

Kentlake’s run ended with a 6-1 loss to Redmond on Saturday. Harris set a school record with her 10th home run of the season and struck out seven hitters in 3 1/3 innings of work.

“I’m going to miss the kid,” Kaas said fighting back tears. “She’s been the face of Kentlake fastpitch for four years and she’ll go down as one of, if not, probably the most prolific player in our history.”


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Courtesy Photo
Kent Reporter Athletes of the week: Kentlake

Josie Pedeferri (Flag Football Sr.) and Matthew Lawrence (Basketball Sr.) are this weeks winners.

Jaya Brown goes up for a lay-up against Kentwood. Ben Ray / The Reporter
District Tournament preview: Girls basketball

Kentwood and Kentridge sneak in, see tough roads ahead.

Kentwood’s Mason St. Louis takes a three point shot. Ben Ray / The Reporter
West Central District Tournament preview: Boys basketball

Kentwood and Kent-Meridian face tough competition in opening rounds.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Luke LeChance (Jr. Swim) and Alena Ton (Jr. Basketball) named this weeks winners.

Photos provided by Jayla Keowla
Picture of Jayla, Troy and Jaylen growing up combined with a photo this year.
Introducing the Kentridge Keowlas

Jayla, Troy and Jaylen are part of a long line of basketball players with the Keowla last name.

t
Former Kentwood High star Vandersloot to return to Chicago

WNBA point guard spent last two seasons with New York Liberty

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Julie Foree

Foree has been coaching for 15-years and currently coaches at Cedar Heights Middle School.

Corey Tita pushes the ball up the floor for Kentwood. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood boys fall at home to Auburn

Conks sit third in NPSL behind Auburn and Kennedy Catholic.

Kent-Meridian senior Christian Mortimer drives to the basket. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kent-Meridian boys drop game to Highline

Royals lose third straight game.

Kentwood’s Jessica Ajayi takes a three-pointer against Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Hoops: Kentwood and Kentridge split doubleheader

Kentridge girls and Kentwood boys take home wins in rivalry clash.

Courtesy Photo
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentlake and Kentridge

Jaxon Love (wrestling), Miley Lam (BBall), Jordyn Keith (BBall) and Finnegan Linnane (Wrestling)

The Seattle Thunderbirds traded Sawyer Mynio to the Calgary Hitmen for two players and four draft picks. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds
Kent-based T-Birds trade away top player for 2 players, 4 draft picks

Defenseman Sawyer Mynio sent to Calgary Hitmen as last-place Seattle builds for future