There is a friendship between Jackson High School softball teammates Kayla Ellis and Sam Mutolo that transcends age, experience or class standing.
They’re two talented athletes who celebrate as much in each other’s success as they do in their own — even though one is a senior headed to play at the next level and the other is a freshman who recently moved here from Arizona.
“Kayla and Sam get along very well,” Jackson head coach Kyle Peacocke said. “Both kids bring a smile and a positive attitude.”
At times, their relationship is one of teacher and student, with Ellis mentoring the freshman to take her place once Ellis graduates. The two play the same position — catcher — but since Ellis has that spot locked up until she takes her talents to Central Washington University next season, Peacocke has had to be creative in finding ways to get Mutolo’s potent bat in the lineup.
“I play pretty much everywhere but the corners and pitcher,” said Mutolo, who is hitting .359 with three home runs and 16 runs batted in.
In a recent game against Cascade, Mutolo manned a spot in the outfield and batted leadoff. Ellis hit clean-up.
“She has the best attitude,” Ellis said of Mutolo. “She is a great hitter, has a great arm and she might be the fastest player on the team.”
In her second at-bat against the Bruins, Mutolo walked to the plate as chants of “Sam! Sam!” radiated from the stands. She briefly looked over and smiled before reapplying her game face. She then drilled a line-drive single to the left of second base. Two batters later, Ellis brought her home with an RBI single. Ellis is hitting .534 with seven home runs and 29 RBI.
“Sam has been doing a tremendous job of setting the table for our offense,” Peacocke said. “She also has some pop, often leading off the game with an extra-base hit. Kayla is a power hitter and drives in a ton of runs.”
In the Cascade game, Ellis hit a home run in her next at-bat, a blast that seemed to clear the fence in a nano-second. Before the center fielder could even react, the ball wisped past, bounced off some grass beyond the left-center field wall and settled under some trees about 20 feet past the field of play. Of course, Mutolo was waiting to congratulate her teammate at home plate.
“Kayla is amazing,” Mutolo said. “She is one of the best players on the team and her arm is incredible.”
That’s not hyperbole.
Later in the game, Ellis threw out a would-be base-stealer with a missile to second that would make the Mariners’ Mike Zunino jealous.
“Kayla is a natural leader,” Peacocke said. “She works hard every day and sets an example for the whole team to follow. Sam has speed, a strong arm, a great bat and understands the game very well.”
For now, Mutolo learns from one of the best, and the two complement each other well as they lead the 16-5 Timberwolves into next week’s Class 4A District tournament.
Against Cascade, Ellis and Mutolo were a combined 6-for-6, with four singles, a double and a home run.
“All right!” Ellis said when informed after game of the impressive stat line.
Standing right next to her was Mutolo and the two exchanged a high-five on another job well done before being the last two players to leave the field.
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