With sophomore player Clarabeth Smith lending new cheer from the dugout, the Lady Vikings pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and charged out into the rain to decimate La Conner in both games of their double-header on April 20. In the past, said coach Scott Harris, the Vikings have squeaked out wins against their old La Conner arch-rivals by one or two runs – not eight.

“It’s the ongoing La Conner, Orcas rivalry,” said Harris. “To keep our league title hopes alive we needed to sweep the double header, and we did.”

The first game ended in an 8-0 shutout, with nine hits and only one error by the Vikings; the team pushed through second game weariness to pull off another win at 14-9, with 21 hits and three errors.

The weekend before, back-to-back losses to Friday Harbor had left the team disheartened. “We just realized that something was missing,” said Bobbi Lowry. A big part of the problem? No Clarabeth Smith.

Last year, Smith brought team spirit, creating a cheer book with unique chants and photos of each player. But this year she’s has been on the new JV team, and her absence at varsity games has been palpable.

“She’s one of the most enthusiastic and vital members of our team. Most people don’t realize it, but she really keeps the dugout alive,” said Lowry. “Everyone just loves having her there,” added Lindsay Anderson.

So the senior girls took action, organizing a players-only dinner to reevaluate priorities. “They decided that enjoying the experience and the journey was a top priority,” said Harris; they also voted unanimously to ask Smith if she would join them in the varsity dugout.

“Lanie (Padbury) and the seniors showed incredible leadership… by identifying a player that could really bring the team together,” said Harris. “That’s why I coach; this is the reason,” said Harris. “Wins and losses, they disappear, but the confidence they develop, the self esteem boost, the relationships they build with one another – I couldn’t be more proud.”

Game One

Pitcher Adria Garcia allowed only two hits, with nine strikeouts, and went two for two at the plate, with a double and a single. Alison O’Toole went two for two, with seven stolen bases. Lindsay Anderson went two for three, and Emily Bodenhamer went two for three, with three stolen bases.

Game Two

Garcia continued pitching, with six k’s, and went three for four, with a double. O’Toole went four for five, with a double, one RBI and three stolen bases; Emily Bodenhamer had a double and 2 RBIs. Lanie Padbury had two doubles and four RBIs; Mackie Taylor had a double and 2 RBIs; April Hofmann went three for four, with a triple and a double; Brooke Bruland went three for four and Lindsey Anderson went three for four.

On April 27 the Vikings have a home turf re-match against Friday Harbor. A loss to the Wolverines could mean a three-way tie with La Conner for league champions, assuming the Vikings take down Concrete and Darrington in upcoming games. But if Orcas wins Tuesday’s game, they could be looking at the league title.