"Fearless" Lady Raiders start season with strong wins

The Lady Raiders started the 2016 softball season on the right track with two big wins over the Bridgeport Fillies Saturday.

At Grand Coulee the Lady Raiders defeated the Fillies in both games by the scores of 18-1 and 17-2. The first game only lasted three innings before mercy rule went into effect, the second went four innings.

The wins give the Lady Raiders a two-game lead over half the league.

"The girls came out on fire," Head Coach Cassie Wendt said. "I was proud of the way they played fearless."

"They were very loud in the dugout and the hitting successes were contagious," Wendt said, noting the team spirit. "I couldn't have asked for better first games."

In the first game, Tristen Adolph struck out seven batters in a solid outing at the mound. Adolph backed up her pitching at the plate going two of three, with a home run.

Cassidy Reyes batted a 1.000 for the game, going two for two at the plate, hitting two doubles.

Later in the second game, Kourtney Harrington took to the mound and struck out five Fillies.

Mikaylah Thompson batted two for two. Khani Priest and Adolph both were two for three at the plate, with Priest picking up a triple and Adolph a double.

"Tristen Adolph had a wonderful weekend," Wendt said. "Everyone on the team stepped up and performed. ... I am very very proud of the girls after their success this weekend."

What Wendt wants the team to take away from the doubleheader is a new winning spirit.

"After the first games, we can take away that we are not the same team we have been in the past," she said. "Our hard work is paying off, and we are excited to play more games."

Coach Wendt also wants her squad to continue to improve in the basics of the game, along with "getting better at adjusting to the different speed of pitches that we will see from our opponents."

Last night in Hartline the Lady Raiders were set to take on the Almira-Coulee-Hartline Lady Warriors.

"We are excited to play ACH on Tuesday to further test our abilities, Wendt said. "We will also add three starters back in the lineup that were gone for our games last Saturday."

Now the Lady Raiders will have a week to prepare for their next double-header at Grand Coulee against the Soap Lake Eagles March 29 starting at 2 p.m.