Future: Loyola University Chicago
2004: 18-3, 0.78 ERA, 174 strikeouts and seven walks in 139 2/3 innings
Traits: Crosson wields a nasty dropball. “She can hit a dime with it,” Lake Stevens coach Sue VanWyke said. After getting ahead with the dropball, Crosson counters with a riseball and an effective changeup. And don’t hope for free passes. Crosson averaged just one walk per 20 innings pitched last season.
Ashley Morrison Shorecrest senior
Future: Odessa College (Odessa, Texas)
2004: 17-7 overall; 13-5 in league with a 0.64 ERA and 145 strikeouts
Traits: Morrison’s most consistent tool is her low-60s fastball, but she also mixes in a solid riseball. “She hits her corners and her spots pretty well,” Shorecrest coach Kristie Oglesby said. “You can’t try to do too much (against Morrison),” said Everett coach Kyle Peacocke, who has seen the Shorecrest pitcher plenty the past few years. “The idea is just to make hard contact and put the ball in play.”
Rachel Koenig-Eng Jackson senior
Future: Seattle University
2004: Averaged 10.6 strikeouts per walk
Traits: Jackson coach Mike Moran said when Koenig-Eng gets ahead in the count the batter has almost no chance. The fastball is usually the senior’s bread and butter, but her screwball can be overwhelming too. “She throws it pretty hard,” Moran said of Koenig-Eng’s fastball, “but she’s just not gonna leave it there and say “Hit it.’ She’s gonna battle.”
Ashly Forsberg Monroe junior
Locked on: Coming off a solid sophomore effort (105 strikeouts and a 2.05 ERA in 99 innings), the emerging ace struck out 80 batters in her first 49 innings this season.
Traits: Monroe coach Curt Eskeback cites Forsberg’s off-season work ethic as the biggest reason for her eye-opening success. “She’s got a real passion for the game,” he said. “She’s gotten so much better than last year.” Forsberg regularly hits the corners and has “sneaky quick” velocity, according to Eskeback.
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