For Scotties, defense makes difference

Freeman softball coach Scott Carolan knew coming into the season that things had to change.

Gone was a strong senior class that included the team’s top pitcher, and the cupboard was bare of hurlers.

“We’ve always had the reputation for offense,” Carolan said. “We knew we were going to have to rely on some freshmen pitchers and defense if we were going to be successful. The team knew that coming in – in fact they talked about that amongst themselves.”

It helped that two freshmen, Lauren Nooner and Casey Olson, had been working with fastpitch guru Steve Fountain, but the Northeast A League is no pushover. League rival Kettle Falls was the defending state champion, and perennial rival Colfax was an up-and-coming power.

“At one point we were 5-5-1, so it took us a while to get it all figured out,” Carolan said. “But Lauren settled in as the starter, and we played some really good defense behind her and got on a roll.”

The Scotties are winners of their past 13 straight games and head into the state tournament beginning Friday at noon in Moses Lake, where they open with Royal.

“I think the turning point came when Kettle Falls came here and beat us in a one-run game,” senior Jacklyn Riordan said. “It was one of those games where it was tied going into the ninth inning or something like that. We came back and beat them the next game and pretty much got on a roll.”

Carolan said the biggest difference this season has been his team’s defense. Last year the Scotties’ fielding percentage was .899. This season the team boosted that mark to .935. In practical terms, that means instead of committing just over three errors per game, as they did last year, the team has averaged just one per game.

“The thing is, once we get down to the final three innings, we just don’t make errors,” the coach said. “If we have the lead with nine outs to go, we’ve got the game won. It’s over.”

That exemplary glove work helps the young pitching staff.

“They know they can go out there and just throw strikes,” Carolan said. “They can let them hit the ball and know the defense is going to back them up and make the plays.”

“That’s the big difference,” senior Rachelle Marlow said. “Last year, we’d get into a close game and something would break down. A ball would get by an outfielder, and we’d give up a run. This year, we all make the play.”

The Scotties haven’t been the offensive powerhouse they’ve been in the past, but have made up for the lack of pop with self-sacrifice.

“We all take turns getting the big hit,” Riordan said. “Everyone is more than willing to lay down a bunt if we have to, and we all have confidence in one another – one of us is going to come through and get the job done.”

Senior Melissa Triber is in her third-straight state tournament to finish her high school career – helping the volleyball team to a seventh-place finish in the fall, the basketball team to a runner-up finish in March.

“I do catch myself thinking back to basketball and not wanting the same thing to happen again, with everyone getting injured and limping through the final game,” she said. “That happened to the softball team last year. Fortunately, we’re all healthy and in great shape.”