Lady Pirates take on Buhl in opening game at state softball tournament
Payette believes they can win it all
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
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| Argus Observer File Photo
The Payette defense rallies together moments before hitting the field in this Argus Observer file photo taken in April. The Pirates battle Buhl today at 5 p.m. in first round action at the 3A state softball tournament at Ramsey Field in Coeur d’Alene. |
Payette—Idaho’s softball teams have gone through all the blood, sweat and tears of the regular season and district play, but only eight received an invitation for a chance at state supremacy.
All eight are just hoping for three wins, a trophy and some tears of joy.
Can any of the other seven teams defeat the defending state champion and undefeated Kimberly Bulldogs?
One team believes they can.
Payette’s Lady Pirates enter state action with a 20-6 record and claimed a district championship with relative ease.
Led by sophomore pitcher Melissa Blackwell, who struck out 11, walked one and allowed five hits in 12 innings pitched, Payette blanked McCall-Donnelly and Homedale in district action by a margin of 21-0.
The Pirate offense was also was full gear with 26 total hits, including five home runs.
“They are definitely peaking at the right time of year,” Payette coach Duane Higley said. “We’re absolutely pounding the ball. We talked early about being more aggressive, and that’s made a big difference.”
On the season, Shelbi King leads the offense with a .520 batting average and has driven in a team-high 20 runs.
Payette has clubbed 15 home runs and are led by Jordan Kelley, who has circled the bases four times this year.
Blackwell has been a leader on both offense and defense this season, with a .400 batting average, and is 14-1 on the year with 140 strikeouts.
Now the task is erasing 2007’s bitter state taste.
In 2007, Marsh Valley and Bear Lake, sent the short-handed Pirates packing after two games.
Payette was one bullet short, however, as Blackwell sustained a separated shoulder and missed the dance.
Blackwell is back and Higley is sure the outcome will be different in 2008.
“Any team is stronger when they have everybody healthy,” Higley said. “The girls are healthier this year than last year, and when everyone is healthy, they are more confident.”
The first test for Payette is an opening round game at 5 p.m. today against Buhl. The Indians (18-9) defeated Filer 14-2 Monday to clinch a state playoff berth.
Led by senior hurler Leslie Hunter, catcher Bailee Montgomery and shortstop Mercedes Pearson, the Indians can beat a team with offense and defense.
Homedale (13-12) is also a team with plenty of weapons, led by pitcher Corey Hall, shortstop Taryn Corta and catcher Hannah Johnson.
Homedale takes on Bear Lake (20-4), while Timberlake (16-6) takes on Teton (14-5) and Kimberly (26-0) battles against Marsh Valley (15-8).
Kimberly is by all accounts the team to beat.
The Bulldogs are 26-0 on the year and are cruising right along behind the arm of pitcher Nellie Makings. The freshman has an earned run average of 0.51 and has tossed six no-hitters this season.
The defending champs boast a batting average above .350, scored 305 runs and have invoked the mercy rule in 18 of the games. Backed by Makings’ pitching, Kimberly has allowed 34 runs and has shut out their opponent 13 times.
“Kimberly is a solid hitting and defensive team,” Higley said.
Starting lineup
1 Leslie La Mue CF
2 Jordan Kelley RF
3 Aubrianna Iwasa C
4 Shelbi King SS
5 Melissa Blackwell P
6 Caylee Bennett DH
7 Paige Gabiola 2B
8 Hailey Bond 1B
9 Lexi Bond 3B
10 Kaytlin Oxnam LF
