Ken Roberts
Sports Writer
In their season finale, the Huskies opened up a 2-0 lead in the first inning, only to see it evaporate as they lost to the league leading Cascade Cougars 10-2.
With one out, Ashley Wall and Michelle Cliver connected on back to back singles in the first inning to jump start the Husky offense. Dani Thireault moved the runners to second and third, setting up Sara Brocard, who was safe when the shortstop fielded her grounder but threw wide of first base.
Sweet Home was sharp defensively in the first two innings as third baseman Susie Sieg and first baseman Ashley Horn both made stellar plays. The Huskies held the lead until the third inning when speedster Chelsea slap hit her way on, knocking in the first Cascade run. Then Lally preceded to steal three bases, the final steal on a play where a Cougar walked and continued to run to second without stopping. The Huskies didn’t make the play at second or at home when Lally broke to the plate.
But it was the fifth inning when the tide began to turn in favor of Cascade. With runners on second and third, Sweet Home failed to catch a foul pop up with two out and the Cougars took advantage of that with two hits that combined for three runs. In the sixth inning, Cascade pulled away even further with 5 hits and 5 more runs.
Though the Huskies had two runners on early in both the sixth and the seventh innings, they could not capitalize. They finished the season in fifth place with a 4-11 record in conference play, 8-14 for the entire season. Four seniors played their last game for the Huskies, including Jenna Anderson, Kendra Greene, Ashley Horn, and Susie Sieg. Eight players will return next year.
“The four seniors provided good leadership,” said coach Rob Younger. “The team morale was excellent.”
Capital Conference league recognition was announced last week. All of the Huskies honored were returning underclassmen. Sophomore Dani Thireault was named to the first team as an outfielder. Freshman Michelle Cliver, the team’s leading hitter, garnered second team honors as an infielder. Ashley Wall, Nicki Aerni, and Sara Brocard all received honorable mention.
With the quality of returning players, including freshman Makenzie Marchbanks, a pitcher who probably would have received league recognition had she not been hurt early in the season, Younger is very optimistic.
“This league is very good from top to bottom,” said Younger. “This young team needs to mature into a team that can play seven consistent innings.”