Freeman Ball Teams In Different Leagues

Freeman’s baseball and softball teams have gone separate ways this spring.

The boys are in the four-team Northeast A League which will compete in post-season with the Caribou Trail for two 1A state berths.

The playoff format is unsettled, although leagues are hoping for a six-team affair including top two finishers from the NEA.

The girls are currently leading the 11-team Great Northern League, an merger of 2A and 1A schools. The top three teams will qualify for state.

The reason for the split, explained baseball coach Jim Straw, is that some schools play slow-pitch and others play fast-pitch softball throughout the state.

That doesn’t hold true for baseball which is a constant regardless of classification.

Reardan moved up to the Northeast A last winter and is part of the baseball league. The softball team, which has played slow-pitch, was given a year’s grace.

All other NEA softball teams, including Freeman, already played fast-pitch in what became the GNL.

“We had to play in the 2A state tournament anyway,” said new softball coach Scott Carolan. “It’s what we’d done in the past and just went with everybody else.”

Pitcher key to softball success

The return of pitcher Leslie White, a sophomore, is one reason Freeman has gotten off to a 6-0 start, with a home doubleheader today against Colfax.

“When you have a pitcher who can pitch, you can always compete.” said Carolan. “Leslie’s done her job.”

White has thrown a one-hitter and no-hitter already this year and turned back Kettle Falls 4-2 and 3-2. Tuesday she struck out 18 in 6-0 and 6-4 wins over Chewelah and also had some clutch hits.

Other returnees are senior catcher-third baseman Helda Dahmen, juniors Karie Amend at second, Nicki Roecks at shortstop and senior outfielders Holly Adams and Tiah Petrie.

Newcomers are sophomore catcher-third baseman Michelle Kiddoo, junior first baseman Stacia Palladino, and senior outfielders Lynzie Abbey and Kaci Reed.

Junior utility players Erika Nottingham and sophomore Casie Van Tassel have an offensive lift coming off the bench.

Carolan, for four years the junior varsity coach, has changed little since replacing Jackie Babin, who resigned after guiding the 12-2 team to second in the NEA last year.

“The way I look at it, Jackie left me in good hands,” said Carolan. “When you have a solid team, it’s pretty easy. I just had to come in and not screw it up.”

The team motto is “We don’t practice for second place.”

Last year’s Frontier champion and state placer Colville is a heavy GNL favorite but so far, so good.

Up-and-down baseball has promise

Although pitching for the 4-4-1 Scotties baseball team has been up-and-down, the season holds promise.

“This should be our best pitching and defensive club and we will hit,” said Straw. “We have six kids who can swing it.”

Three juniors, returnees Bryan White and Jared Pope and transfer left-hander Cody Owen have good stuff. Joining them are sophomores, Jeremy Roche, lefty Joe Halverson and freshman lefty Jeff Hyndman.

During last Saturday’s doubleheader loss to Colfax, however, the staff combined to walk 21 batters and hit two others.

That was disturbing to Straw although he remains optimistic.

“I really believe that as far as depth, this is the best pitching staff I’ve had in six years,” he said.

Catcher Matt Smith and shortstop Matt Miller are the only seniors and among the team’s better hitters.

“Smith is doing a great job, although he injured an ankle is playing hurt,” said Straw.

Junior Parker Brooks returns at second base. White and Bill Morphy will share third base and sophomore Jon Brune is at first.

Outfielders are Chris Miller, no relation to Matt, Roche, Pope, Morphy and Owen.

Sophomores Kelly Custer, at catcher, and Chris Fulkerson in the infield are backup players.

“I thought we’d play better against Colfax and yesterday (Wednesday’s doubleheader split with Chewelah),” said Straw.

The Scotties host Reardan today at 11 a.m. and next Saturday are at Kettle Falls.

“We really need to sweep,” said Straw, “and take a bite out of Colfax at their place.”