Grant County Herald Sports Story 1

Northern Knights finish 8-1 in fast pitch softball league
by coach Bryan Poyzer
The WCA Northern Knights fast pitch team finished their summer season last week. The girl’s team and star pitcher Erin Flake entered the tourney undefeated and favored to not only win, but possibly finish the perfect season. Much like life itself, things never turn out as expected.

In a frustrating league decision to draw for bracket match-ups, rather than seat the teams due to their win-loss record, the Northern Knights were forced to play the other top team in the league in the very first game of the day. Everyone knew what this meant. North would play South and Flake would lock up with south pitcher Doranna Blasyck. Not for the championship, like everyone wanted, but in an opening round game.

Blasyck threw strike after strike and mowed down North hitters like she was knocking down bowling pins. Flake was up to the challenge and fired strikes also, shutting out the Southern Knights for three innings. In fact, the only hit Flake gave up was a single to right field which scored a baserunner in the 4th. Then another run scored on a ground ball to first base. Flake finished the game giving up only one hit while striking out 10 batters, but that one hit cost North the game 2-0. Blasyck would finish the game striking out 13.

Flake and Blasyck combined for 23 strikeouts while giving up only one hit. That one hit gave South the win, and ended North’s perfect season. In the post game press conference both pitchers were positive about the game.

“It was fun to throw all five innings” said Blasyck. “Too bad it had to be opening round.”

“Now we are teammates!” stated Flake noting that they will both play for WCA next spring.

“Were there any scouts here to see that?” laughed catcher Courtney Locke.

The Northern Knights bounced back strong in the next two games while South, resting Blasyck, dropped their next two. Neither team would be represented in the finals.

Annabel Haarstad and Erin-Caneen Cox threw innings in the second game win over Underwood while Ashton Blair and Marissa Johnson knocked in four runs each. Cally Haraldson and Courtney Locke each scored three runs.

In the closer, against Evansville, 2nd baseman Katie Poyzer scored three runs and knocked in two while Amy Benson and Johnson knocked in two each. Pitcher Danielle Diedrich pitched three innings for the win as the Northern Knights played their final game of the year and for six girls, their final summer game.

I am glad the girls had a fun and successfull season. I am sad it’s over.... I coached several of these girls in tee-ball and would like to have seen them get another summer title before they move on, but what a season to remember.