LYNNWOOD — The Lynnwood softball team feels it is a vastly improved team from a year ago.
The early numbers support the Royals’ contention.
In last year’s preseason game against Arlington, Lynnwood lost 11-1. This year the Royals dropped a 5-1 decision. District rival Edmonds-Woodway outscored Lynnwood 14-2 in a pair of victories last season.
The Royals lost 1-0 in the two teams’ first meeting of the season last week.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvements from last year and the year before that,” senior co-captain Natalie Harrison said. “There’s a lot more communication on the field. Just fundamentally, we’re a lot stronger this year. We have some new talent that is really good.”
But it’s the returning players who are elevating Lynnwood’s level of play. The Royals lost only three seniors from a year ago.
Many of this year’s players are involved with select teams, which is a major asset during the high school season.
“That definitely contributes a lot because not only are they working here during the week, but they’re also working on the weekends,” senior pitcher/catcher Melissa Himes said.
Himes added that it helps that most of the team has at least one or more years of varsity experience.
The experience adds to the confidence Himes has with the Royals’ defense when she pitches.
“We’re solid,” Himes said. “I feel really confident as a pitcher going up there and feeling like I have the backup.”
Both Himes and sophomore Ginny Casuccio locate their pitches well, according to senior catcher Michelle Ulrich.
Himes throws solid rise and drop balls and has an excellent change up. Casuccio likes to throw a fastball in addition to her rise and drop balls.
One of the two freshmen added to the roster already is making an impact. Jerrica Kang is playing shortstop and brings speed to the Royals’ lineup.
“She’s way quick. She can get anything at shortstop,” Ulrich said. “Our outfield is fast too. We have a lot of speedy girls this year.”
The Lynnwood offense is showing promise. The Royals pounded out nine hits against the Eagles.
“We’ll get hits here and there, but consistency is what we need,” Himes said.
The Royals have made hitting a priority coming into the season.
“Everybody has been practicing and going to the batting cages,” Ulrich said.
Lynnwood is hoping that its upbeat attitude will bode well for the rest of the season and lead to success on the field.
“If we keep on working hard like we did at the beginning of the season, we’ll definitely be a very competitive team,” Himes said.
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