EV softball just one win away

Sometimes the big rally has to start a little early.

The East Valley Knights need one win in today’s doubleheader at home with Clarkston to secure the No. 2 seed into next week’s district fastpitch softball tournament.

But that has become more of a challenge than coach Ray Riggan thought it would be just a couple weeks ago.

“I’m sure we can take care of business and get it done,” he said. “This team is pulling together.”

The challenge came as a shock.

In short order, the Knights have lost two key players who helped spark the team to a strong start.

Senior Brianna Lasso, who was hitting a crisp .571 with three home runs and 20 runs batted in, suffered a freak accident at home.

“She fell and hit her jaw on a door knob,” Riggan explained. She broke her jaw in three places and dislodged most of her bottom teeth. She’ll have her jaw wired shut for six to eight weeks and is on a liquid diet.

“She’s the best shortstop in the league and was really the league MVP last year. They gave the award to a pitcher because that’s what the league does. But she was.”

To make matters worse, the team’s No. 1 starting pitcher suddenly quit the squad.

“I really don’t want to talk about her,” Riggan said. “It’s tough when someone quits on you.

“I do think that the team has gotten closer through all this.”

To fill the defensive shoes left by the loss of Lasso, Riggan shifted catcher Katy Sinn, who accepted a scholarship to catch at Bellevue Community College next season, to shortstop.

“She’s been my catcher since she was a freshman and I would really rather leave her behind the plate,” Riggan said. “But she’s moved in and done a great job at short. From the first day she was talking and taking charge. Catchers can do that – they see everything in front of them and understand the game so well.”

Taylor Rebman took over behind the plate and has done a solid job, Riggan said.

“She’s a good little athlete,” he said. “She has a strong arm and a quick release. She’s already thrown runners out.” 

Alyssa Glore became the team’s No. 1 pitcher.

“She doesn’t have the velocity we’re used to, but she’s doing fine,” he said. “She has a tendency to give up more fly balls so our outfield has to be on its toes.”

Cheney wrapped up the GNL’s regular season title, with only a 17-16 loss to Pullman to mar its record. That ensures the Blackhawks a state tournament berth.

“In our league the No. 1 team gets a bye into the final game of the district tournament and only has to play for seeding,” the coach explained. “We don’t have a regional tournament, so the top two teams coming out of district play the top two from the Central Washington Athletic Conference for seeding into state.”

With the Blackhawks already in, the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds host first-round, loser-out games Tuesday. The winners from those two games play Thursday in a loser-out, winner-to-state game.

With a win today, the Knights would have home field advantage next week: On Tuesday in a loser-out rematch with the Bantams and on Thursday against the winner of a game at Pullman between the Greyhounds and West Valley.

“We have to dig in and get it done with our defense,” Riggan said. “We have to work hard and hit the ball on offense. We can’t afford to make mistakes.”

Riggan said he hopes Lasso will be sufficiently healed to join the team on the bench.

“The players love her and want her to be part of this,” he said. “And it will be a lift for them, if not (today), then next week.”