By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Sports Writer
The Sitka High Lady Wolves dropped their first pool play game at the ASAA Division II State Softball Championships to the Delta Huskies 9-1 Thursday at Anchorage’s Cartee Fields, but rebounded later in the day with a 20-8 win over the Kenai Kardinals.
“Everybody at the tournament has showed up to play,” Sitka coach Jael McCarty said. “You can’t overlook anybody, all these teams are playing hard. We are going to have to play our perfect game, every game, if we want to get out of this.”
Sitka’s lone run against Delta came in the top of the fourth inning as sophomore Kaelynn Balovich drew a lead-off walk. Sophomore courtesy runner Leia Daly replaced Balovich and stole second base.
After a pop out fly ball and a strike out junior Dalila Callahan connected on a line drive single to center field that scored Daly and the Lady Wolves trailed 4-1.
Sitka went scoreless in the top of the fifth inning and Kodiak scored 5 runs in the bottom half to end the game by run rule.
Sitka’s Callahan also pitched two innings, allowed one hit and 3 runs, walked four batters and struck out five. Sophomore Madison Campbell relieved for two innings, allowed six hits and 1 run, walked two and struck out two.
Delta junior Zoe Moore pitched the five innings for the Huskies, allowing one hit and one run, walking one and striking out six.
Delta junior Lourdes Lester had three RBI, junior Emily Folliard two and sophomore Caitlynn Schmidt one. Lester had two hits, Folliard, Schmidt, senior Delaney Ott and junior Brooklyn Hill one each. Folliard and Schmidt had scored two runs, Lester, Ott, Hill, junior Nadia Chernich and sophomore Grace White one each.
The Lady Wolves found their bats in the second pool play game with a 20-8 win over Kenai.
“The girls just kind of started hitting like they usually do,” said McCarty. “We laid down quite a few bunts, which was good, and just got some hits at timely times which starts momentum on your side. And when you get momentum it’s hard to stop it. Same thing if the other team gets it.”
Sitka broke open an 8-8 tie with 12 runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Senior Kaleena Tucker hit a lead off single, Callahan earned a walk, senior Harlee Nelson sacrificed on a bunt and freshman Allyson Mayville reached on a fly ball error to right field that scored Tucker and Callahan. Mayville would score in the error action for an 11-8 lead.
Freshman Alina Lebahn earned a walk, Steinson walked, junior Naia Nelson singled scoring Lebahn for 12-8. Junior Adriana Denkinger walked and Tucker doubled scoring Steinson, N. Nelson and Denkinger for 15-8, and Callahan doubled to score Tucker for 16-8
H. Nelson was hit by a pitch, Mayville walked to load the bases and Lebahn doubled to left field scoring Callahan and H. Nelson for 18-8. Mayville scored on a passed ball and freshman Sadie Saline doubled to score Daly for 20-8.
Tucker led Sitka with four RBI and Callahan had three. Tucker, Callahan and N. Nelson led with two hits each. N. Nelson scored four runs, Tucker and Callahan three apiece, H. Nelson, Mayville, Lebahn and Steinson two each.
Sophomore Kaelynn Balovich pitched three innings, allowed seven hits and eight runs, walked one and struck out three. Lebahn pitched two innings and struck out two.
“We’re having a great time,” McCarty said. “We are excited to see a lot of great teams here.”
Juneau-Douglas split their pool play games on Thursday, defeating Kodiak 9-1 and losing to North Pole 5-3. Junior pitcher Mila Hargrave had six strike outs and a home run against Kodiak and senior Anna Dale going 3-3 at the plate with four RBI. Junior Chloe Casperson went 2-2 with one RBI and one runs scored against North Pole and junior Kiah Yadao struck out five batters over six innings.
In other action North Pole beat Kodiak 22-4 and Delta topped Kenai 20-8.
Thursday’s pool play action placed the teams for the double elimination tournament starting today.
Today’s Games:
GM1 - 10 a.m. Sitka vs. Kodiak.
GM2 - 12:15 p.m. Juneau-Douglas vs. Kenai.
GM3 - 2:45 p.m. North Pole vs. GM1 winner.
GM4 - 2:45 p.m. Delta Junction vs. GM2 winner.
GM5 - 5 p.m. elimination, Loser Gm1 vs. Loser Gm4.
GM6 - 5 p.m. elimination, Loser Gm2 vs. Loser Gm3.
Saturday Games:
GM7 - 10 a.m. semifinal, Winner Gm3 vs. Winner Gm4.
GM8 - 10 a.m. elimination, Winner Gm5 vs. Winner Gm6.
GM9 - 12:15 p.m. elimination, Winner Gm8 vs. Loser Gm7.
GM10 - 2:45 p.m. championship, Winner Gm7 vs. Winner Gm9
