Mountlake Terrace’s Kim Stewart sure picked the right time to return to the dugout.
Stewart, the co-head coach along with longtime assistant Herb Hudson, is back guiding the Hawks softball team after a two-year absence. The two are taking over for former coach Briana Knight, who did not return due to scheduling conflicts and her pending relocation.
The 2012 squad looks to be a playoff contender with the return of two solid pitchers in junior Rene Bos and sophomore Maddy Kristjanson, and the addition of a promising third pitcher in freshman Sage Hungtersmith.
Bos was the team’s primary pitcher in 2011, though Kristjanson saw action toward the end of the season.
The plan is to split the duties, especially at the beginning of the season since Stewart is mindful of burning anyone out. Not every team has the luxury of being able to turn to two talented pitchers, Stewart noted.
Bos throws an excellent riseball and likes to vary her speed.
“I like pitchers who can change speeds,” Stewart said. “That’s one of the things that keeps people off-balance the most.”
Stewart describes Kristjanson as someone who likes to mix up her pitches.
“She has three or four pitches she can go to to keep people on their toes,” Stewart said.
When she’s not pitching, Kristjanson plays centerfield or shortstop, while Bos also is a designated hitter.
Perhaps due in part to the return of Bos and Kristjanson, Mountlake Terrace has been able to focus a little more on hitting at practice, and the results are more than encouraging.
The Hawks’ offense is looking strong.
“I am absolutely amazed by how well the kids the hitting the ball,” Stewart said. “These kids have worked very hard in the offseason. You can tell that.”
Stewart expects everyone in the lineup to do their part. The Hawks won’t be looking for just one or two players to carry the offensive load.
“They’ve all got ways of contributing,” Stewart said. “They can do a lot of different things with the bat.
“One of the things I’m very impressed with is the bat speed the kids are generating.”
Both Hudson and Stewart stress the idea that good things happen to teams that put the ball in play.
“We’ve spent more time on hitting,” Stewart said. “We really want to put pressure on people.”
The defense bolstered by the return of senior shortstop Minna Ward, a captain along with first baseman Jesse Printz, Bos and Kristjanson.
Freshman Hannah Wilcox takes over at second base.
“She has great footwork in the field and swings a pretty good bat,” Stewart said.
Senior Amanda Shartner and sophomore Hannah Baisch will split duties at third base with the other one at designated hitter. Junior Hannah Fickle will see time at catcher along with Ward.
As for the future of the softball program, Stewart and Hudson are planning to be co-head coaches for just this season. The position will be opened up after the season.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
