Anacortes High School Fastpitch Preview

Anacortes returns seven starters and is a favorite to win the their third consecutive NWC district title. Senior Kayla Riger is seen here sliding into home plate in last year's district championship game. --Courtesy the Skagit Valley Herald

Returners: Sr. Tara Bellusci, Sr. Hannah Brennan, Sr. Madison Bundy, Sr. Kayla Rieger, Sr. Jackie Saunders, Sr. Lauren Ward, Jr. Kelci Douglas, So. Liz Crooks
Newcomers: Jr. Elizabeth Easton, Jr. Haley Stout,

In the 21st century, there are statistics for everything. OBP, WHIP, FG %, YAC, TOP, etc…yet there remains no true way to measure a team or individual's intangibles, a trait that characterizes this year’s Anacortes High School Fastpitch team.
“Experience is a trite word…sometimes it can be overused,” said longtime Anacortes softball coach Tom Swapp. “But it’s not overused with these kids.”
The Hawks return seven seniors off a squad that’s placed fifth at the last two state championships and only graduated one player off of last year’s team. Unfortunately for the Hawks, that player was Maria Roney, a perennial all-conference catcher and four year starter. The fact that Roney's replacement, Mattie Foster, moved to Nebraska, leaves the Hawks all the more thin at a critical position.
“We’re going in [to the season] a little less experienced at catcher than we thought we would,” he said, adding that both Haley Stout and Elizabeth Easton could see time at the position.
However, the ‘Hawks should be loaded at almost every other position. They will start returning seniors Hannah Brennan, Jackie Saunders, Tara Bellusci, Kayla Rieger, Madison Bundy, and Lauren Ward as well as two more players—junior Kelci Douglas and sophomore Liz Crooks—with varsity experience. That experience, along with three straight trips to Yakima, should make Anacortes a team to contend with, come state tournament time.
“Believe me, the experience at state tournaments really helps in playing games [in Yakima],” said Swapp. “If we manage to get to state, we should be tough over there.”

Luke’s Starting 9
1) Tara Bellusci CF
2) Kayla Rieger 2B
3) Madison Bundy SS
4) Hannah Brennan 1B
5) Liz Crooks 3B
6) Kelci Douglas RF
7) Jackie Saunders P
8) Haley Stout C
9) Lauren Ward
Bench: Elizabeth Easton C,
Bullpen: Liz Crooks, Kelci Douglas

The Hawks won’t have a ton of options off the bench, but if they can stay healthy, they won’t need any. Bellusci gets the nod over Bundy at the top of the lineup for two simples reasons: Bellusci is faster than Bundy, while Bundy hits for better power. It makes sense to move a faster play up and a stronger player down in the lineup. Reiger is a second leadoff hitter that can do what it takes to move Bellusci over to third, assuming she’s already stolen second base.
Brennan is a great hitter with tremdous power, so it makes sense that she hits in the cleanup spot. She’ll be followed by two more powerfull players in Liz Crooks and Kelci Douglas.
Seniors Saunders and Ward provide some bottom of the lineup ability while protecting newcomers Haley Stout and Elizabeth Easton, both of which will hit near the bottom of the lineup. Ward is a selective hitter, and should see some good pitches hitting in front of Bellusci, Rieger, and Bundy.
The Hawks roster is little thin, but look for a few younger players to work their way onto the bench throughout the season. The Hawks plan on fielding a full JV squad, so the coaching staff will have plenty of looks at up and coming players.
All in all, this may the best team coach Swapp has ever fielded. If the Hawks can play together and avoid injuries, they should have no problem returning to the state tournament. Winning in Yakima, however, is a crapshoot. The Seahawks, like every other team competing at state, will need a good draw and a little luck to make it to the title game.

Disagree? Leave a comment, or e-mail Luke at ltaylor@1340thewhale.com