Storm players, including Hope Lodell (back left), Katrina McGranahan (back right) and Lauren Rose (in front of Lodell) celebrate. (Photo courtesy Kolby Doerge)
Whidbey’s best are tearing up the diamond as road warriors.
CHS freshmen Katrina McGranahan, Hope Lodell and Lauren Rose, along with CMS eighth grader Sarah Wright and South Whidbey freshman Bella Northup, continue to play on as members of the NW Storm select softball squad.
Keeping its recent hot streak alive, the Storm snatched second place at the Western Worlds Championships over the weekend.
Coming off of a tourney title in Selah, the sluggers went 2-1 on Saturday to earn the #2 seed headed into play Sunday.
Brimming with confidence, the Storm jumped all over their semifinal opponent to the tune of eight first-inning runs, igniting hopes of a runaway win.
Things got a little more complicated when their foe came right back, taking advantage of a few tricky “turf bounces” to score six runs of its own in the bottom of the first.
Clinging to a 10-8 lead in the third, the Storm went to another level, dropping 14 straight runs in a 45-minute display of raw power.
Facing off with the Abbotsford (British Columbia) Outlaws in the final, the Storm found themselves pitted against the only team to have beaten them in the last month.
“You could feel the tension as both teams realized a battle was at hand,” said Storm coach Kolby Doerge.
And, while a few Storm missteps allowed the Outlaws to snatch away the title, their coach left satisfied with what he saw.
“The game was full of great defensive plays, good pitching and little give from both sides,” Doerge said. “We did gain their respect and two classy teams finished with trophies.”
With tournaments in Bellingham and Skagit County the next two weekends, the softball guru sees a bright future for his squad.
“I see a couple more trophies on the horizon!!”
Doerge’s Whidbey warriors were key to Storm success all weekend.
“Katrina played her heart out at shortstop, making many tremendous defensive plays wowing the crowd,” Doerge said. “Leaping backhand outs to double plays at the most opportune times.
“Her hitting is always there for us, but knowledge and the speed on the bases again applies so much pressure on the opponent,” he added. “It is tough to defend her.”
When describing The Surgeon, he drew comparisons to the Northwest’s most famous ballplayer.
“I know what it felt like for Lou Piniella to have Griffey junior in center field,” Doerge said. “Hope Lodell in center field sends would-be hitters back to the dugout as easy routine outs.
“When she gets to first base it is a formality that I will see her over at third base ready to score another run,” he added. “Offense generator. Always wearing a huge smile.”
Rose and Wright give the Storm varied weapons, with both bringing a different, yet very effective, style to the plate.
Lauren has taken on the tough task as our lead-off batter. I put the most pressure on this hitter and she in turn teaches me a thing or two with her abilities,” Doerge said. “Often I ask her to see many pitches that help the others gauge the new pitcher.
“Always battling through tough at-bats, once on base the other team cannot help but to keep their attention on her, losing focus on the current hitter. A rally starter!
“Sarah has the boom-stick power like Nelson Cruz and the ability to adjust her swing to help the team out with a run-scoring single if needed,” he added. “Holding down the catcher’s position, she gives great effort, always with a big heart and smile.
“Would-be base runners aren’t smiling when she is done with them, though!”
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