June 25, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
Hot on the heels of their third consecutive Western Division title, the Raiders Softball team once again dominated the NWAACC post season awards. Freshman standout, Danielle Kauzlarich, was selected as the Most Valuable Player in the West. 'Kauz' led the entire conference in hitting with a .549 batting average and was near the top of every offensive category for the Raiders in 2009. The award for the third baseman/pitcher marks the fourth straight year that a Raider has been recognized as the MVP in the West. Sophomore Kimmie Cable received the regions Most Valuable Pitcher award for the second straight year. In addition to going 8-6 from the circle this season, Cable was a potent factor in the Raider offense hitting .430.
Raiders selected to the Wests First Team All-Stars were sophomore Keilani Cruz (SS), and freshmen Lauren Kolanko (P) and Angilia Smith (C/SS). Cruz missed the final two weeks of the season due to injury, but finished with a .434 average and 10 stolen bases. Kolanko led the Raider pitching staff in innings pitched (105), victories (10), and strikeouts (51), while compiling a 3.07 ERA. Smith spent most of her time behind the plate, but made the switch to shortstop following the injury to Cruz. Smith was the Raiders second leading hitter, with a.522 average, tied for the team lead in home runs (5), and led the team with 44 RBIs and 26 doubles. Smith struck out only once in 134 at bats.
Second Team All-Star award recipients included freshman Kimber Rhodes, and sophomores Ashley Sonneman and Krista Zappone. Rhodes spent most of the season in the outfield, filled in a bit at first base, and hit .398 on the season. Sonneman (OF/2B) hit .367 with 7 stolen bases. Zappone (2B/C) hit .407 with 29 RBIs.
Sport(s):
November 17, 2008 @ 11:44 am
Welcome Freshmen! (2008-09)
Calie Brown is a is 5′10" 170 pound power hitting outfielder from Franklin Pierce High School in Parkland. Calie is a four year starter and was first team all conference all four years. Calie played club softball for Purple Haze. Calie was on the honor roll freshman and sophomore year.
Ashley Burks is a 5′-8″ 135 lbs hard throwing right handed pitcher/Utility player with great foot speed and overall athleticism. Ashley was a 3 years starter 1 time 1st Team All Area Pitcher, 1 time second team All Area Pitcher, two time 1st Team SPSL Pitcher, one time 2nd Team All SPSL Pitcher, 3 time SPSL Leader in Strikeouts, Innings pitched and Completed Games 7th in State 2006. Three time Cultural Exchange Invitee. Ashley played club ball for Washington LadyHawks and Phoenix.
Erin Cross 5′-3″ 130 lb utility player from Wilson of Tacoma where she was a four year starter on varsity 2 year most inspirational, 1 year 2nd team all league, 2 years 1st team all league, 1 year all area outfielder,1 year honorable mention all state outfielder, 1 year 2nd team all state, varsity captain, 4 year division champs, 3 years league champs, 3rd in state, 4th in state. Attended 18A asa nationals 07 and 08 with MsStix.
Tara Dorsey is a 5′-4″ 140 pound utility player from Puyallup High School. Tara is very solid at he plate, she has two years of varsity experience. Tara played club ball for Washington Thunder.
Tia Kobayashi is a 5′-4″ 155 lbs speedy utility player from Oahu Hawaii. Tia was an honorable mention all conference performer in high school.
Lauren Kolenko is a 5′7″ 130lbs right handed pitcher with good velocity, movement and control. Lauren is from Argyle Vancouver BC. Lauren is also a speedy, strong armed outfielder. Lauren's accomplishments include 6 time game MVP, 3 time player of the game. While playing for the Poco Ravens her teams have chalked up an impressive club ball record including;1st Place -Pacific Challenge Series Tournament, 3rd Place- Tssawaseen Softball Tournament, 2006- 8th overall in Provincials,2005- 6th overall in Provincials.
Sammy Miller is a 5′-4″ 120 lbs utility player with great speed from Stadium High School in Tacoma. Sammy was a four year starter for Stadium and a two time first team all conference and honorable mention all state as in infielder. Sammy's high school team went to the 4A playoff three consecutive years, finishing as high as 4th. Sammy played club ball for Sidewinders Gold and Phoenix Gold.
Katie O'Brien is a 5′-8″ 160 lbs power hitting first basemen/outfielder/pitcher from Wilson of Tacoma. Katie has four years of varsity experience and is a two time first team all conference performer. 4 division champs, 3 league champs, 3rd in state, 4th in state. Attended 18A ASA nationals 07 and 08 with MsStix.
Kimber Rhodes I am 5′5 3/4″, 135 lbs, 2 years two years of varsity experience with Emerald Ridge High School; twice finishing second in SPSL districts. Kimber is a left handed 1st basemen/outfielder with 4 years of club ball experience. Kimber was on the honor roll every year.
Angelia Smith is a 5′-6″ 155 lb catcher from Curtis High School in University Place. Angelia is a 3 year starter on Varsity, two time 2nd team SPSL performer, Team Captain and MVP and voted best offensive player by her team. Angelia's club team has made 3 trips to ASA national tournaments.
Sport(s):
May 15, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
The NWAACC announced this years regional Softball All-Star teams at the annual Championship Tournament Awards Banquet on Thursday evening in Portland. On the heels of their second consecutive division title and near-perfect 28-2 league record, the Raiders dominated the Western Region All-Star teams. Sophomore standout Kristi Alcorn was selected as the Wests Most Valuable Player. Alcorn led the Raiders in nearly every offensive category while anchoring third base for the Raiders. Alcorns selection marks the 3rd consecutive year that a Raider has captured MVP honors (Kayla Jayne – 2007, Yukari Kuranuki – 2006). Freshman Kimmie Cable was selected as the Wests Most Outstanding Pitcher. Cable led the Raiders with 18 victories this year, and also finished with the teams second highest batting average. The Raiders placed five players on the West Regions First Team All-Stars; sophomores Kelly Smith (OF) and Kelley Suggs (P) were joined by freshmen Kimmie Cable (P/IF), Katie Demme (OF), and Krista Zappone (OF/IF). Freshmen Keilani Cruz (SS) and Ellen Mittlestadt (C/OF) were selected as Second Team All-Stars. This marks the third consecutive year that the Raiders have had at least 4 players selected as First Team All-Stars, and the second straight year a Raiders has been chosen the regions Most Outstanding Pitcher. First year head coach, Mark Edmonston, was selected by his peers as the Coach Of The Year in the West.
Centerfielder Kelly Smith was honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as the winner of the adidas Golden Shoe Award. The award recognizes the NWAACCs leading base stealer. Smith set the school record with 34 stolen bases this season, while leading the conference.
Sport(s):
May 8, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
The Raiders Softball team clinched their second consecutive Western Division Title on Wednesday with a doubleheader sweep of division rival South Puget Sound. In the first game of the day the Raiders came back from a 6-0 deficit to capture the win with a walk-off 2-run home run by Krista Zappone. Final score was 8-6. Katie Demme added a solo shot in the Raiders come from behind victory. Kelley Suggs picked up her 16th win of the season, allowing just 4 hits and striking out 4.
Game 2 featured a stellar pitching performance by freshman sensation Kimmie Cable, as the Raiders won 2-0. Cable shut out the Clippers on just two hits over 7 innings, and recorded 4 strike outs. Cable helped out her own cause at the plate with an RBI double in the 5th inning, scoring the first run of the game. The Raiders tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th.
The two victories extends the Raiders record to 26-2, equalling the most league wins in the programs history. The Raiders look to break that mark on Friday when they close our the regular season schedule at Centralia.
The Division Championship is just the third title in the programs history, the first coming in 1982 when the Raiders also won the NWAACC Championship. The Raiders go into this years NWAACC Tournament as the #1 seed from the West, and will play their first round game on Friday, May 16, at 11:30 am, at Delta Park in Portland. The Raiders will play the #4 team from the North, either Everett or Shoreline.
Sport(s):
May 7, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Riding the strength of their current 10 game win streak, the Raiders Softball team is on the verge of capturing their second consecutive Western Division Championship. Following decisive wins over Highline (6-1, 11-3), Grays Harbor (6-1, 8-6), and Green River (14-1, 14-4), the Raiders improved their league record to 24-2, second best in the entire NWAACC. One win in their remaining four games will insure back-to-back titles.
Led by sophomore Kristi Alcorns offensive punch, and the stellar pitching of Kimmie Cable and Kelley Suggs, the Raiders are on pace to break last years record of most league victories in a season (26). Alcorn, who has hit 3 home runs in the past 6 games, leads the Raiders with 10 round-trippers, and is making a run at the career home run mark of 26 (she currently has 24). She is the team leader in nearly every offensive catergory; average (.467) home runs (10), doubles (21), runs batted in (55), and slugging percentage (.892). Kelley Suggs who notched her 15th win of the season against Green River on Tuesday, can reach a career total of 30 with just 2 more victories. Freshman standout Kimmie Cable collected win number 17 against Green River. In addition to her pitching exploits, Cable is having an outstanding year at the plate. She is second on the team in average (.432), first in hits (57), first in triples (8), and second in stolen bases (17). Sophomore centerfielder Kelly Smith set the Raiders career record for stolen bases last week, with number 26, and continues to add to that, picking up number 32 against Green River.
The Raiders close out their home schedule today against second place South Puget Sound CC. One win against the Clippers will wrap up the Western Division crown, and secure a #1 seed into the NWAACC Tournament in Portland, starting May 16. The Raiders will travel to Centralia on Saturday in the final league games of the season.
Sport(s):
