Teagan Calkins (left) and Madison McMillan celebrate a big play. (Jackie Saia photos)
“Oh, sweet revenge!”
A week after losing the season opener to their arch-rivals, the Central Whidbey Little League Juniors softball squad got the big payback, pounding North Whidbey 13-1 Monday night.
The victory, coming in their first home game, lifts the Hammerheads to 2-2 on the season.
Central Whidbey was paced by flame-throwing pitcher Savina Wells, who threw 68 pitches in the game, 45 of which were strikes.
Toss in some stellar work with the gloves, and a 12-hit attack at the plate, and Coupeville’s diamond queens were in top form.
“We played Hammerhead softball today,” said CWLL coach Fred Farris. “Great pitching by Savina, who mixed up her pitches against a very good lineup, (and the) girls played great defense!
“This group always responds well after losses. And they’ve had very few over these last four years,” he added. “They were all business and having fun while doing it!”
Mia Farris dances the dance of her people.
Central Whidbey jumped out to an early lead, pushing four runs across in the bottom of the first inning, then repeating the feat in the second frame.
Three more runs in the third and two in the fourth stretched the lead out far enough that the game was mercy-ruled after North Whidbey came up empty in the fifth.
Six different Hammerhead players collected a hit, with Mia Farris and Teagan Calkins leading the way with three base-knocks apiece.
Mia Farris had the biggest blow for Central Whidbey Monday, bashing a double.
Madison McMillan and Wells each had two hits, with Jada Heaton and Taylor Brotemarkle rounding out the hit parade.
Taylor Brotemarkle dares you to run.
Brotemarkle also had the best web gem of the day, flying in from shortstop to snag a hot shot in front of second, before making a strong throw on the move.
“She delivered to Mia, who had a perfect stretch to just get the runner and end the inning,” Fred Farris said. “Show stopper!”
Central Whidbey was superb on defense all game, with Katie Marti a standout at second base.
She opened the game by gobbling up everything in the first inning, making clean plays on three straight grounders to retire North Whidbey one-two-three.
Calkins (four runs), Wells (six RBI), Chloe Marzocca (two walks), and Candace Meek (the only Hammerhead drilled by a wayward pitch) were the stat leaders, while Anna Steckman and Mayleen Weatherford all chipped in to help bring home the victory.
Mayleen Weatherford has places to be.
