MUKILTEO — Snohomish’s Jonelle Kasch may be the best kept secret in Wesco North softball.
In a must-win situation, Kasch threw a complete-game shutout, striking out 15 and scattering three hits in a 10-0 win against Kamiak Friday night in a play-in game to the 4A District 1 tournament.
The Panthers play Wesco North No. 1 seed Marysville-Pilchuck (16-0 league, 17-2 overall) at 3 p.m. Tuesday in a first-round district game at Sky River Park in Monroe.
Kasch struggled early on with her command, walking two in the first inning. But she began to find the zone, using a diabolical changeup that frustrated Kamiak hitters after seeing a consistent heater and rise ball.
If the name Kasch doesn’t ring a bell for league followers, its because she hasn’t pitched more than four innings in a single game this season.
“She’s on a rebuild, a slow recovery,” Snohomish head coach Lou Kennedy said of Kasch, who fractured a vertebrate in her lower back during the offseason. The injury kept the right-hander from throwing until the start of the school year. “She looked really, really good today … she is a very polished pitcher, this game showed that.”
Snohomish jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first two innings. Kasch had 12 strikeouts in the first five innings and received solid backing from her defense.
“I feel accomplished right now,” Kasch said of her pitching gem. She added she feels good enough to start Tuesday against the Tomahawks.
“I think that it was the best game we have played all year long,” Kasch said.
“Their pitcher threw phenomenal,” Kamiak head coach Bill Bowker said. “She is one of the harder throwers we have faced this season. Then she throws a nice rise ball and a really tough changeup. But the kids came out and competed.”
Freshman utility player Anna Pisac filled in at shortstop and may become a go-to option in the postseason. Pisac batted 4-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.
Snohomish put the game out of reach with back-to-back, four-run innings in the final two frames. The Panthers chased Kamiak starter Angie McFall in the fifth inning and continued hitting off the Kamiak relievers.
Kasch hit a double in the sixth and a two-run double in the seventh that one-hopped the center field fence. Snohomish totalled four extra-base hits, including a triple by Lindsey West.
At Kamiak H.S.
Snohomish1100044—1081
Kamiak0000000— 034
Kasch and West. McFall, Severson (5), Montgomery (7) and Grant. WP—Kasch. LP—McFall. 2B—Carr (S), Montgomery (K), Kasch (S) 2, Pisac (S). 3B—West (S). Records—Snohomish 8-13 overall. Kamiak 6-15.
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