Lady Vikings softball heads to state | Boys lose at state after winning district championship

by Marty Zier

Sports contributor

The Lady Vikings softball team advanced to the 2018 WIAA 2B State Softball Tournament as one of the top 16 teams in the state. The games will be held May 25-26 in Yakima at the Gateway Sports Complex. The girls qualified by beating La Conner 12-2.

“Flora Lister pitched six innings allowing two runs, five hits, three walks and five strikeouts,” said Coach Kevin White. “As ,a team we had 11 singles, two doubles, two triples and drew four walks over six innings. Astasia Monahan led the way scoring four runs along with four hits, including a double. Katy Minnis drew two walks and had two hits, Jessie Nichols had two hits including a triple, Alyssa Johns, Nichols and Emma Rodgers led the way with two runs batted in each.”

The Vikings lost to Friday Harbor 15-5 after the La Conner win.

“The Wolverines were rested, but we couldn’t hold them close for more than three innings,” said White. Despite the loss, the Vikings move on to state but have their work cut out as they will play the 2017 State Softball Champions, the Pe Ell High School Trojans.

The Vikings baseball team ended its successful season as District Champions after a 11-1 loss to the Central 2B Rainer High School Mountaineers in the 2018 WIAA 2B State Baseball Championships at Wheeler Field in Centraila on May 19.

“I am very proud of my guys,” said coach James Segault. “Friday Harbor won the League Championship, but by beating them in the playoffs we reached our goal of District Champions and made it to the top 16 teams in the state. It’s been a long time since Orcas baseball had advanced this far.”

Segault said Rainier was a “good” team but the Vikings’ main problem with the number of defensive errors.

“At one point I looked at the scoreboard and the Mountaineers and six runs and we had six errors. That was the game,” he said. “We were playing tight and it showed in our defense. Their pitcher was dealing, but we were hitting hard just not getting the ball through, we were hitting right at their guys. Hayden Simpson pitched well but defensively we were not on point, which was unusual for us. I think it was nerves or the intimidation of playing on such a large stage; it was a huge, beautiful packed facility with music – a lot to take in. Not much you can do to prepare them for that experience, and I don’t think the guys were ready for it. We had the physical ability to play up and adjust to a better team, like we did with Friday Harbor. We just need a bit more time to acclimate to a better team.”

Vikings golf had three out of four players who qualified for districts and will head to the state tournament in Spokane this week.

At the men’s qualifier at the Gallery Golf Course on Whidbey Island, coach Bob Nutt said, “Serei OToole had a learning experience round at the Gallery and Leif Gustafson played well and stayed out of trouble holing an 86, placing fifth place over all, seven strokes back of the leader. Leif and Serei’s placing points earned team Orcas fourth place out of six teams. Leif along with the twins Maia and Zoe Lewis-Shunk, who both qualified for state at the women’s qualifier in Bellingham, head to the state tournament in Spokane.”

Lady Vikings softball heads to state | Boys lose at state after winning district championship
Lady Vikings softball heads to state | Boys lose at state after winning district championship
Lady Vikings softball heads to state | Boys lose at state after winning district championship
Lady Vikings softball heads to state | Boys lose at state after winning district championship
Lady Vikings softball heads to state | Boys lose at state after winning district championship
Lady Vikings softball heads to state | Boys lose at state after winning district championship
Lady Vikings softball heads to state | Boys lose at state after winning district championship