Freshman movement hits Hawks

Mountlake Terrace senior outfielder Carly Wheat admits she had some concerns coming into the season.

The Hawks graduated five seniors and the bulk of their spots was being taking over by four freshmen.

But her concerns have proven to be largely unfounded.

“They really stepped up,” Wheat said of Mountlake Terrace’s largest incoming freshmen class in years. “It’s been good to have some pretty good replacements for them. I thought it would be hard, but we’ve adapted pretty well. The chemistry is really good.”

New to the Hawks’ lineup are pitcher/first baseman Kori Seidltz, catcher Kayla Watson, third baseman Amanda Skibeness and outfielder Aly Delizo.

“They’ve got a lot of softball experience,” Mountlake Terrace coach Kim Stewart said. “That’s what we’re kind of banking on. They’re going to get better every game.”

Mountlake Terrace does return four starters from last year’s district playoff, including first-team, all-league designated hitter Alyson Yelenich. This season Yelenich takes over the No. 1 pitcher slot.

Yelenich, the only other senior on the team, is ready for her expanded role.

“I’m very excited,” she said. “I was the one kicking back last year. I’m glad that I’m getting the chance to step up and lead my team.”

Yelenich’s best pitch is her inside fastball, though she also likes to throw the dropball on the outside corner.

Stewart has confidence in Yelenich.

“She knows how to mix it up,” Stewart said. “She is one of the best placement pitchers I’ve ever seen. She can put it wherever the catcher wants it.”

Besides Yelenich and Wheat, the Hawks also return junior Miranda Hanson, who is shifting from second base to shortstop, and sophomore Stephanie McLauchlan, who is moving from the outfield to second base, her natural position.

Our defense is unstoppable,” Yelenich said. “We’ve got a very, very strong defense.”

The same can’t be said of the Hawks’ offense, which has struggled of late. Mountlake Terrace had only 11 hits in its last five games.

Mountlake Terrace was no-hit by Jackson’s Lauren Reid in an 11-1 loss in a six-inning game on March 27.

The Hawks lost their main power threat from a year ago in first-team, all-league third baseman Jamie Foote.

“We definitely have more speed and I don’t think we have the power like we used to,” Wheat said. “We do have some girls that can hit it out there pretty hard.”

Mountlake Terrace has advanced to the postseason for nine straight years. A 10th straight appearance is probably going to be dependent on how many runs the Hawks can produce.

“We’ve just got to hit,” Yelenich said. “That’s been our main objective so far … we’ve been kicking it up a notch in practice when it comes to the batting cages.”

Yelenich expects Mountlake Terrace to be a strong team in the coming years with so many underclassmen.

“This team is going to be hard to beat,” Yelenich said. “This year I just expect them to do the best they can and just give it their all. We’ve all played select. I know all the girls can play at all different levels. I expect them to bring their game here.”