Lady Raiders pick up first win

The Lady Raiders racked up positive stats in a home win last week, but rescheduled two other games they’d been set to play in Grand Coulee.

They were able to play the Trojans of Manson on Thursday, when they picked up their first win of the new season.

“There’s been a lot of improvements since the first game,” Head Coach Jamie Lezard said, “We just have to keep working on the fundamentals of the game and improve on a daily basis and everything will be OK.”

The final score in the game was 11-1, ending in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule. Lake Roosevelt scored most of their runs in the third inning when they tallied nine to push themselves ahead for the sure win.

Tristen Adolph pitched for the Lady Raiders, striking out six Trojans while giving up only three runs. Adolph also stole three bases.

Lezard pointed out that, as a team, the Lady Raiders hit 10 RBIs and 4 doubles. LR improved in another category over the first two games, leaving only three runners in scoring position against Manson. The Lady Raiders also stole 10 bases as a team.

Lezard was impressed with eighth-grader Kelsi Olbricht’s performance against the Trojans. She went three for three with a double, 2 RBIs, and a stolen base.

“Our bats are also starting to come alive and our pitchers are beginning to find the strike zone,” Lezard said. “The girls are having 100 percent effort and attitude, and it needs to continue throughout the season.”

When asked what needs to improve Coach Lezard said, “Our team confidence needs to improve, once they stop doubting themselves as a team we will be able to play to our full potential.”

The Lady Raiders Softball had to reschedule two games last week. A game against Liberty Bell set for March 24 was called for weather, and Oroville cancelled a Saturday Grand Coulee game due to other conflicts.

The Lady Raiders were scheduled to play a doubleheader against the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors last night. April 4, LR takes on the Brewster Bears in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. in Grand Coulee. The Bears are anchored by star pitcher Marki Miller, who is looking to set another strikeout record this season.