On The Diamond, Look-Alikes Share Alike In Success

Haley Henry and Kayla Adams live in different parts of the Valley but the softball-playing look-alikes have become best friends and teammates.

They play for the Spokane Cougars, a team that next week will compete in the National Softball Association’s 16-U tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Adams, 13, is three years younger than many of her teammates and foes. She pitches and plays third base.

Henry, 15, who started in right field for West Valley High’s statequalifying team last spring as a freshman, plays shortstop.

The girls are similar in size, coloring and physique. The small blondes share a bubbly demeanor. Except for the braces on Adams’s teeth, in uniform it is difficult to tell them apart.

“Everybody thinks we are twins,” said Henry, of their similarity in appearance. “Last year she was at second base and I was at shortstop and we got really, really close.”

So close that, by eerie coincidence, Adams, who wears number 7 and Henry, who wears 13, shared room No. 713 at last year’s nationals in Columbus, Ohio.

“That was pretty cool,” said Henry.

The team is hoping next week to improve on last year’s 2-2 record and 55th-place finish out of 137 teams.

“Those teams were incredible, nothing like we have in Spokane,” said Adams.

The Cougars’ summer record, compiled while competing only in tournaments, was 39-11. The Cougars won two tournaments and 12 straight games, finished second in three others and placed among the top four in all but one of 10.

Included was a 6-0 mark and 74-2 scoring advantage last month during the NSA national qualifier.

“This group is really good,” said Steve Fountain, who coaches the Cougars with his wife, Pat. “They can finish in the top 10 (at nationals) if they get the right breaks.”

Other players are South Siders Justine and Maria Ruddell, Kaylene Fountain, Katie Maehl, Candice Powers, Jackie Parrott, and North Siders Jessica Hahn, Shawna Powell and Anna Vagstad.

Adams, who attends Evergreen Junior High, made the team three years ago despite her youth.

She became one of the team’s two starting pitchers this year.

“I mostly throw a drop ball and change-up,” she said. “This year I’m starting a curve.”

The age disparity was no problem.

“I’m pretty used to playing against older players,” Adams said.

Henry had played every position except outfield in softball before joining the team last summer.

She was moved to shortstop and after practices, she said, her dad would hit her hundreds of ground balls.

“I never really focused on the position before. I’ve learned a lot and improved a lot since I’ve been on this team,” she said. “Now it’s my favorite place to be.”

The Orchard Prairie resident must wait for her chance to play shortstop at West Valley where Gabby McClintock is the incumbent But at the national tournament, she and Adams will get plenty of time playing their favorite positions.

“Last year we went in not expecting much,,” said Henry. “This year we’ve really improved all around.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo