Perfect throw keeps Panthers perfect in Wesco North

Published 11:12 pm Thursday, April 9, 2009

SNOHOMISH — Pam Post’s first outing in center field this season for the Snohomish Panthers will be remembered for a feat that took less than 10 seconds to accomplish, but was without question the play of the game.

Post threw out Marysville-Pilchuck’s Courtney Perrine — who was attempting to score the game-tying run from second base on a Monica Clow single — for the final out of a Western Conference North battle on Thursday night, giving Snohomish the 3-2 victory.

“That’s Pam’s first game in centerfield this year. We knew she could do the job, she’s a great player,” Snohomish coach Lou Kennedy said. “She’s got a cannon.”

She used that cannon to throw a direct strike to catcher Kerrianne Gilhang, who caught the ball without a bounce just in time to tag Perrine.

“Pam was incredible … that throw was incredible; that whole play was all on Pam,” Gilhang said.

“Except catching the ball, blocking the plate, and applying the tag,” joked Kennedy, who was standing nearby when Gilhang praised her teammate.

“It was Kerrianne too,” Post also yelled back when Gilhang was making her comments.

Kennedy said that type of unselfishness is pretty common on this year’s Panthers team, who stayed undefeated in league at 4-0, and post a 6-1 record overall.

“I think we have had more talented teams before, but this team is way more together,” Kennedy said.

“Being friends, and not having so much tension is what’s making it easier to play on the field,” Gilhang said, referring to struggles with those issues last season.

This year’s team also is taking on more responsibility. After the game was over, the Snohomish players were running in centerfield, which Kennedy was quick to point out was not mandated by the coaches. The team decided to do the running as a group because they were disappointed with two of the innings in Thursday’s victory.

One inning that probably didn’t disappoint the Panthers Snohomish was the second, in which they scored three runs. Jannelle Kash and Lindsey West led the charge with back-to-back doubles. West’s double scored Kash from second base.

Marysville (3-3, 5-3) did its damage in the top of the fourth inning when Jessica Tanigawa hit an inside the park home run for the Tomahawks.

Snohomish’s Martina Gordillo, who took over as the Panthers’ pitcher in the second inning, avoided potential disaster in the bottom of the third when she escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam.

Marysville again made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Tomahawks’ first two batters hit into ground outs, but then Perrine was hit by a Gordillo pitch. After Perrine stole second base, the game was in Clow’s hands. Clow came through with a single to centerfield, but Post’s picture-perfect throw ended the contest.

Gordillo, whoses record improved to 3-0, is just returning to form after being injured in a car accident last year, Kennedy said.

“She was pretty gutty,” he said. “For somebody who isn’t very tall and not a big strong kid, she can really bring it.”

Snohomish plays Lake Stevens tonight, looking to stay unbeaten in league.

“If we can go 3-0 this week, that would be monstrous,” Kennedy said.

At Snohomish H.S.

M-P0002000—222

Snohomish0300000—342

Fritz, Rosie (3) and Perrine. Kash, Gordillo (2) and Gilhang. WP—Gordillo (3-0). LP—Fritz. 2B—West (S), Kash (S). HR—Tanigawa (M). Records—Marysville-Pilchuck 3-3 league, 5-3 overall. Snohomish 4-0, 6-1.