Taylor Brotemarkle tied for the team lead in RBI as the Central Whidbey Little League Juniors softball squad won the District 11 regular-season title. (Jackie Saia photo)
They were a hit machine.
Getting base-knocks from the top of the order to the bottom of the lineup this season, the Central Whidbey Little League Juniors softball squad was a group of bash-happy young women.
And it served them well, as the Hammerheads finished 9-3 after sweeping a doubleheader Saturday from South Skagit.
The twin bill at Rhododendron Park was the regular-season finale, as Central Whidbey clinched the District 11 regular-season championship.
For some of the Hammerheads it was the end of the season, while others will join with players from Oak Harbor to form a Whidbey Island All-Stars squad which begins postseason play June 28.
As he basked in the afterglow of a doubleheader sweep and a successful season, CWLL coach Fred Farris reflected on the moment, while also looking ahead.
“Well, that’s a wrap,” he said. “All the girls contributed. So proud of this group and they’ll be fun to watch the next four years in high school!”
How Saturday played out:
Game 1:
Central Whidbey busted open a tie game, then went on to mercy-rule South Skagit 20-10.
The Hammerheads went with either feast or famine, scoring nine runs in the first, five in the third, and six to end the game in the bottom of the fifth.
In between, CWLL went scoreless in the second and fourth, yet had the visitors on the edge all game.
Savina Wells drew the start and prowled the pitcher’s circle like she owned the joint, whiffing eight batters en route to the win.
At the plate, the Hammerheads whacked 14 hits, with Jada Heaton bopping a double, Wells smacking a triple, and Mia Farris going big-time with not one, but two, resounding three-baggers.
Both of her triples came off of frozen ropes smoked to the opposite field gaps.
Game 2:
More of the same, as Central Whidbey racked up 13 hits and rolled to a 21-9 win which again was halted early thanks to the mercy rule.
This time out, it was all about the two-baggers, with five of those base-knocks being doubles.
Teagan Calkins and Katie Marti, who also “caught a solid two games,” each collected one of the extra-base hits, while Wells was liquid fire, rapping out three doubles as South Skagit had no answer for her electric bat.
Chloe Marzocca and Calkins combined to pitch the game, with Marzocca registering four K’s.
Saturday stats:
Teagan Calkins (5 runs, 2 hits, 4 RBI, 5 walks)
Mia Farris (4 runs, 4 hits, 2 RBI, 1 walk)
Savina Wells (6 runs, 7 hits, 6 RBI)
Madison McMillan (5 runs, 2 hits, 1 walk)
Taylor Brotemarkle (5 runs, 3 hits, 2 RBI, 3 walks)
Jada Heaton (5 runs, 3 hits, 4 RBI, 3 walks)
Katie Marti (3 runs, 1 hit, 2 RBI, 3 walks)
Chloe Marzocca (4 runs, 3 hits, 4 RBI, 1 walk)
Candace Meek (2 runs, 1 RBI, 2 walks)
Anna Steckman (1 walk)
Mayleen Weatherford (2 runs, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 walk)
Season stat leaders:
Plate appearances — Mia Farris (51)
At-Bats — Savina Wells (44)
Batting average — Savina Wells (.705)
Hits — Savina Wells (31)
Doubles — Madison McMillan (9)
Triples — Savina Wells (6)
Runs — Savina Wells (31)
RBI — Taylor Brotemarkle and Savina Wells (23)
Walks — Teagan Calkins (11)
Hit by pitch — Madison McMillan (5)
On-Base Percentage — Madison McMillan (.760)
Stolen bases — Jada Heaton (32)
