Athletics

The Raiders fought their way through the always difficult loser-out bracket in the tournament’s second day, and nearly made it to the Final Four.  The Ladies opened day 2 play with a dominating performance against Shoreline, with a 12-2, five inning win.  The Raider bats came alive against the Dolphin pitching, led by Melissa Ramos’s 3-hit day (single, double, and triple).  Becca Cable, Katie O’Brien, Aryn Knutsen, Chantell Winter, and Sammie Faust, all chipped in 2 hits each, as the Raiders wrapped out 15 hits.  Katie O’Brien threw 3 one-hit innings to pick up the win, her second of the tournament. 

The win against Shoreline moved the Raiders into the next round of the bracket, taking on #5 ranked Clackamas.  The pitching combo of O’Brien & Winter dominated the #5 ranked Cougars, leading the Raiders to a 5-2 victory, allowing just 1 earned run on 5 total hits.  The Raider offense continued to pound the opposition, banging out 11 hits, lead by Becca Cable’s 3 single, with Denbrock, O’Brien, and Winter, adding 2 hits apiece.

Beating Shoreline earned the Raiders a third game for the day, against top-ranked Bellevue, who had just been bumped to the loser-out bracket by Wenatchee Valley.  Winter took the ball one final time for the Raiders, and threw 8 solid innings.  A controversial call in the Raiders half of the fourth inning ended what could have been a victory sealing rally, and ultimately may have cost Pierce the opportunity to move on to Final Four of the tournament, as the Raiders lost to the Bulldogs, 7-5, in the 8 inning contest.  Cable, O’Brien, Reed, Ramos, Winter, and Faust, all had 2-hit games, which unfortunately wasn’t enough to support Winter’s effort in the circle.

The Raider finished the tournament with 3 wins and 2 losses, making it the most successful tournament appearance since the 1984 Raiders of then Fort Steilacoom Community College placed 4th.

The Raiders returned to the NWAACC Championship tournament for the sixth consecutive year, and had their best opening day since 2008.  The Ladies were a little slow to get the day started, losing to Olympic, the #4 seed from the North Region, 6-1.  The Raiders were held to just 3 hits over 7 innings, singles by sophomores Becca Cable, Ashley Denbrock, and Katie O’Brien.  Chantell Winter went the distance on the mound, giving up just 2 earned runs and striking out 8 Rangers.

The opening round loss dropped the Raiders into the loser-out bracket for their second game of the day, against Southwest Oregon CC.  Facing elimination, the Raiders stepped it up, behind an excellent pitching performance by starter Katie O’Brien, and posted a 4-1 victory.  O’Brien went 5 2/3 innings, allowing 1 run, none earned, on just 5 hits, picking up the Raiders first tournament win since 2008, and extending her personal win streak to 13 games.  Winter pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, facing just 4 batters, and earning up save.  The Raiders bats woke up for game 2, led by KC Routos who had a single and a double, and drove in 3 of the Raiders 4 runs.  Aryn Knutsen and Winter each had a double, and Denbrock, O’Brien, and Sammie Faust, all singled.  The Raider defense also stepped things up with several big play catches by Cable and Knutsen.  The D really shined when a second inning SWOCC rally was stopped on a great throw from Cable in centerfield, to catcher Faust, to cut down a Laker baserunner attempting to score from second base on a 2-out single.

The Raiders move on to Day 2 of the tournament, when they will face the loser of the Mt. Hood vs Shoreline game.  First pitch is at 10:00 a.m., at Delta Park.

The NWAACC announced the 2011 Softball Regional All-Stars at the conference’s annual pre-tournament banquet.  The Raider Softball team dominated the awards for the West Region, placing 5 members on the region’s First Team, and 3 on the Second Team.  Raider First Team recipients were, secondbasemen Melissa Ramos, shortstop Ashley Denbrock, thirdbasement KC Routos, outfielder Aryn Knutsen, and utility player Katie O’Brien.  Second Team honors went to firstbasemen Shannon Reed, utility player Sammie Faust, and outfielder Candice Vela.  The big winners were Becca Cable, named the West’s Most Valuable Player, Chantell Winter, the West’s Most Valuable Pitcher, and Head Coach Mark Edmonston, who was named Coach of the Year.  Cable’s selection marks the fifth consecutive year that a Raider has won the MVP award.  It is Edmonston’s second straight Coach of the Year award.  Cable was also named as the Addidas Golden Spikes Award, as part of the NFCA’s All-American awards.  The award recognizes the NWAACC’s leading basestealer.  Cable’s 39 steals set a new single season record for Raider Softball, and gives her a career total of 64, also a Raider record.  It is the second time in four years that a Raider has won the Golden Spikes Award — Kelly Smith won the award in 2008.

The Raiders Softball team wrapped up the 2011 regular season on a roll that’s leading them straight to the NWAACC Championship Tournament.  The Ladies finished the regular season with a league record of 28 wins and 2 losses (34-7 overall), tying the program’s best record ever, and earning Pierce’s 5th consecutive West Division title.  The team finished the regular season on a 19-1 run, capped by a tripleheader sweep against Grays Harbor (1 game), and South Puget Sound (2 games).

The Raiders qualified for the NWAACC Championships for the sixth consecutive year, opening against Olympic College on July 20, at Delta Park, in Portland, OR.  The double elimination tournament features the top four teams from the four divisions of the NWAACC, playing over four days.

The Raiders Softball team continued their run through the NWAACC West, as the month of April came to a close.  Week 4 of April posted four more W’s in the win column for Pierce, as the ladies improved their league record to 19-1 (27-6 overall), with a solid 5 game lead over 2nd place South Puget Sound.  Fridays sweep of Highline secured the team’s sixth consecutive trip to the NWAACC Tournament, and two wins on Saturday against Centralia moved them within 4 games of  capturing the program’s 5th straight West Division crown.

Coach Edmonston’s crew continues to prove that small-ball gets the job done, as the Raiders rank #2 in the NWAACC in hitting, with a .388 team batting average.  Sophomore centerfielder Becca Cable is fifth in the conference in hitting, boasting a .522 average, and fourth in on-base-percentage.  She leads the team in hits (48), runs scored (40), stolen bases (29), and walks (18).  The rest of the Raider bats have also been on fire, with five players batting over .400; Katie O’Brien (.457), Melissa Ramos (.440), KC Routos (.435), Ashley Denbrock (.430), and Chantell Winter (.400).  Melissa Ramos leads the team with 4 home runs, followed by Aryn Knutsen with 3.

The Raider pitching staff keeps mowing down the opposition, with a dazzling 1.98 team ERA – fourth best in the NWAACC.  Katie O’Brien leads the team with a 0.98 ERA, which ranks fourth among all pitchers in the NWAACC.  Chantell Winter leads the team with 12 wins, tied for sixth best in the NWAACC, and KC Routos leads the conference with 3 saves on the season.

Pierce has 8 more games on their regular season schedule, wrapping up their home schedule on Tuesday, May 10, against Highline.  Following the contest, we will have a brief ceremony to honor our 8 sophomores.

The Raiders Softball team had their sites set on the program’s 5th consecutive Western Division title heading into the season, and their early season performance gives every indication that the ladies will need to make room in the trophy case when the season is over.  Hampered by rain through most of the pre-season, and the first two weeks of league play, the Raiders wrapped up the first round in the West with a 9-1 record, sitting alone atop of the division.  A split with Green River on April 2 (3-5, 4-0) is the only blemish on the Raiders otherwise perfect league record. 

The team performed well at the NWAACC Crossover, held in Selah, on April 16 & 17, going 3-1, with wins against 6th ranked Columbia Basin, Blue Mountain, and Douglas. 

Sophomore centerfielder Becca Cable is leading the Raiders offensive attack, with a .517 average, and leads the team in steals with 18.  KC Routos provides the pop in the heart of the order, batting .492, with 2 homeruns, and a .698 slugging percentage.  Ashley Denbrock anchors the infield at shortstop, and is hitting .402, with 2 triples and 16 steals.  Katie O’Brien (.367), Melissa Ramos (.333), and Samantha Faust (.308), help round out the balanced Raider attack.

Chantell Winter is the workhorse of the Raider pitching staff, with 68 innings pitched, and leads the team with 7 wins, and has an ERA of 3.06.  Katie O’Brien has 6 wins and a team leading 1.04 ERA.  KC Routos has picked up 3 saves, in addition to her 2 wins, and has an ERA of 3.05.

The Raiders hope to continue their success in next two rounds  through the West, in preparation for a successful trip the NWAACC Championships in Portland, May 20-23.

Raider Softball will kick off the 2010 Fall Ball season with a mandatory team meeting on Tuesday, September 14, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., at the Puyallup Health Education Center (HEP), room H207.  Fall practice begins on Wednesday, September 15.  Any interested players who are not currently on the fall roster may contact Coach Edmonston for tryout information, (253) 310 3818.  For additional information contact Raider Athletics, (253) 964-6613.

The late winter weather has dampened the start of the Raiders league schedule, resulting in rainouts of the team’s first three game dates. The Raiders were washed out of their home opener last Friday against Centralia.  Saturdays doubleheader with Green River was also cancelled due to the wet stuff.  The new week hasn’t faired any better for the team as their scheduled games at Grays Harbor yesterday were also rained out. Weather permitting, the Raiders will make up the three rainouts as follows; Green River – Wed., 4/14 (at Green River), Grays Harbor – Fri., 4/16 (at Yakima Valley CC), and Centralia – Wed., 4/21 (at home).

The Raiders are keeping their fingers crossed for the rest of this week’s schedule; South Puget Sound at home on Friday (4:00 pm start), and Highline at home on Saturday (2:00 pm start).

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.

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.