Softball ranked No. 4 after 10-1 start
LYNNWOOD, Wash. -- The first NWAC softball coaches poll has been released and Edmonds softball finds themselves as the No. 4-ranked club. The Tritons have gotten off to a hot start with a 10-1 record.
In their season opener they fell to Mt. Hood, the No. 2-ranked team, but have methodically rattled off 10 straight wins. Edmonds recently took all four games at the NWAC Preseason Tournament in Pasco, WA March 7-8. On the second day they were able to topple the fifth-ranked Walla Walla Warriors 12-7. The prior weekend they won three games on the road at No. 6 Clackamas and defending champion Lower Columbia, who is No. 3 in the poll. The final game of the series with Lower Columbia was halted with the score 10-10 in the fifth inning. That game was postponed due to a serious injury to a Triton player and will be completed at a later date.
On March 11 they opened North Region play with a sweep of an improved Shoreline team, 4-3 and 13-1. Edmonds' game at Bellevue on March 14 was postponed due to snow on the field. That doubleheader will be rescheduled.
The strong start has been more impressive due to the injury bug that has gone through the team. Catcher Lily Niusulu and outfielder Shelby Baguio were out for stretches. Pitcher/first baseman Emersyn Bakker has been sidelined, and infielder Aliya Boonsripisal is also banged up dealing with a finger injury. The depth of the roster has already shown to be valuable.
Kailee Gorospe has been on a tear of late. The sophomore from Kauai, HI has launched 6 home runs (tied for 4th overall in the NWAC), driven in 26 runs (4th in NWAC), and leads the team with a .559 batting average. Eight batters are hitting over .300 down the roster, with Abby McCorvey (.517) and Scarlette Chapman (.514) also over .500.
The pitching has complemented the offense in the circle. Olivia Collins has led the charge with a 4-0 record and 3.18 ERA in 33 innings pitched. Chapman is also 4-0 and has logged 24 innings. The pitching staff is third in overall strikeouts with 72.
This week starts a five series homestand. On Wednesday, March 18 Pierce College visits at 4 p.m., followed by Douglas College of Canada on Saturday, and Skagit Valley on Sunday. Both weekend twinbills will start at noon.
NWAC Softball Coaches Poll (March 17) >>