Clutch hit lifts Cascade to key softball win

Published 11:12 pm Thursday, May 7, 2009

EVERETT — When a playoff spot is on the line, usually it’s the crafty veterans who step up during crucial situations.

But it was the youngsters that came through for Cascade in a 1-0, 11-inning Western Conference North Division win over Arlington Thursday afternoon at Cascade High School.

Megan Miller, a freshman shortstop, launched a two-out, walk-off single over the right fielder’s head in the bottom of the 11th inning for the Bruins (7-5 league, 9-7 overall).

Cascade dodged a threat from Arlington (8-4, 11-5) in the top half of the inning as sophomore pitcher Sam Munger escaped a bases-loaded jam.

“Well, we needed the win because we’re fighting out of the bottom for that fourth spot (in the 4A District 1 tournament),” said Cascade head coach Wendy Close. “This was a big win for us.”

In the 11th inning, each team started with a runner on second base per the international tiebreaker rule. Arlington pitcher Christina Rayner got two quick outs — a Mackenzie Melby strikeout and Chelsea Lindroth sacrifice bunt — before intentionally walking Munger and giving up the hit to Miller.

“They walked Sam (Munger), which was smart because she had two hits,” Close said of the Eagles’ strategy. “I would’ve done the same thing as a coach.”

Close then used the walk to light a fire under Miller.

“I told Miller, ‘You make them pay,’” Close said.

The freshman didn’t disappoint.

“Coach told me to make them pay and I did,” Miller said.

Munger worked out of a number of sticky situations throughout the game. Arlington had runners in scoring position in the early innings, but Munger kept pitches down and induced inning-ending ground balls.

“It was a pitching battle both ways,” Close said. “Sam pitched a great game today … the defense did well behind her, too.”

Arlington’s Rayner pitched a beautiful game, but ended up the hard-luck loser.

Rayner struck out 16 batters and walked just three in 102/3 innings of work. She yielded just three hits — two singles to Munger and Miller’s game winner.

Munger struck out just four batters and relied on her team’s defense to hold the Eagles off the base paths.

“It was definitely a defensive battle,” Miller said.

Rayner, Kirsten Wright and Purdue University-bound Kristen Allen all singled off Munger. The Eagles managed five base hits.

With a win, Arlington would have clinched a spot in the district tournament. The Eagles received the berth anyway when Marysville-Pilchuck lost to Everett.

It isn’t the first time Cascade and Arlington have gone extra innings this season. Arlington defeated Cascade 5-4 in 9 innings on April 10.

“We’ve played really well against them (Arlington) both times,” Close said.

Cascade played most of the game without starting catcher Taylor Pilkenton who is recovering from a hip ailment. Pilkenton flied out to left field in the third inning and sat the rest of the contest.

“My best hitter wasn’t even here today … so we’re missing that big bat,” Close said. “She can hit, but she can’t run or catch now.

“But the kids really stepped up,” Close said.

At Cascade H.S.

Arlington00000000000—050

Cascade00000000001—132

Rayner and Herrington. Munger and Dorcas. WP—Munger. LP—Rayner. Records—Arlington 8-4 league, 11-5 overall. Cascade 7-5, 9-7.