Young Everett softball team playing without fear

Published 1:30 am Monday, April 24, 2017

At the start of the season, the Everett softball team, featuring five new sophomore starters, was understandably a bit overwhelmed at times against top competition. But lately the Seagulls (7-5 overall, 6-4 Wesco 3A) have learned to play without fear, and they’re starting to win more consistently.

“We’ve grown up in a hurry,” Everett coach Mike Millar said. “The kids who hadn’t played a lot had a deer-in-the-headlights look, but they’ve learned to relax and have fun, and they’re playing better. The main thing is they’ve gained more confidence.”

Everett placed second at last year’s Class 3A state tournament, but lost several key seniors from that squad. Megan Gordon (pitcher/shortstop), Rachel Klein-Christensen (catcher) and Tara Marquardt (center fielder) — a trio of All-Wesco 3A selections from a year ago — are back, though.

“Those three girls set the bar for us. They really are our key players on offense and defense,” Millar said. “Our lineup, one through nine, is starting to produce. We believe we can get back to the state tournament. This is a very hard-working group.”