Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
He takes the eighth-graders every year, whether they will play or not.
“So they know how to act when it’s their turn,” said Brad Nilson, Colton softball coach, whose 2019 team opens at state in Yakima Friday at 1 p.m. against Wishkah Valley.
The Colton bus was set to leave Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. to arrive in Yakima to eat lunch, check into the hotel and hold a practice before Nilson goes to the coaches’ meeting that night.
The team is led by five seniors: Emily Schultheis, Jordyn Moehrle, Abby Kelly, Addison Kinzer and Maggi Pluid. Schultheis, Kelly and Moehrle have played on varsity since they were eighth-graders:
Nilson’s Colton teams have won seven state championships, the most recent title in 2016.
What does he expect this year in Yakima? What might this team be able to do?
“I never know until I get home Saturday,” Nilson said.
STATE SEEDING
Last Sunday in Spokane, after a rainout two days before, for a state seeding game, Colton lost to Almira/Coulee/Hartline 6-3.
Colton (17-4) had five errors, leading to four unearned runs for the Warriors.
Josie Schultheis pitched for the Wildcats, striking out nine batters. On offense, she went 2 for-3 with three RBIs. Other Wildcats’ hits came from Emily Schultheis, and Taylor Thomas.
A/C/H led the whole way, scoring five of their six runs in the first two innings.
“We just had a few errors,” said Nilson. “Spot them a few points, we had to play catch-up.”
STATE BRACKET
Other state first-round games Friday at Gateway Complex include Taholah vs. Almira/Coulee/Hartline, Inchelium vs. Naselle and Pomeroy vs. Quilcene.
If Colton and Southeast 1B league rival Pomeroy both win, they will meet each other in the state semifinals Friday evening.
The tournament is a double-elimination format, concluding Saturday afternoon.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
Reader Comments(0)