Two local girls' fastpitch softball teams clashed at Mount Rainier High School with the results being indicative of each squad's stage of development on Wednesday, March 17, at Mount Rainier High School.
Last season's Class 3A state semifinalist Mount Rainier quickly tamed the young and learning Foster team, 16-0, in three innings of a Seamount League opener.
Losing only one senior off last year's club, the state tested Rams kicked away the Bulldogs by first manufacturing a pair of first inning runs before powering home 11 runs in the second inning.
Foster pitching was inconsistent and the fielders were hesitant as befits a developing squad.
The second inning Mount Rainier barrage was triggered when BJ Mipalar turned on a fast ball and smoothly drove it over the right field fence for a solo home run within the framework of 16 Ram at bats. Maddy Dorhofer, Hillary Klein and Amanda Hopkins each clubbed two-run doubles. Tristen Vonn also singled home a run.
With the score at 14-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Tashia Keeve's two RBI double closed out the proceedings on the 15-run mercy rule.
"I was just trying for a single," said Mipalar about her homer. "I didn't swing hard and just connected."
Besides being a strong hitter. Mipalar also pitched a one-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks.
Waiting in the wings to join the softball squad are state basketball players Tina Timoteo and Maylynn Mitchell who still need more practices to become eligible.
"We graduated only Shelby Klwein and have a couple of good freshmen," stated Mount Rainier head coach Javid Shoemaker, who is assisted by Chris Paulson. "We've got an experienced team that can hit and filed well. We also have strong pitching. It's the little things in games like this that we have to pick up on."
Mount Rainier prepared for this with one-inning "blast-out" exhibitions against Kentlake, Stadium and Sequim.
Netta Tapalau's second inning pop fly that fell for a single was Foster's only hit, but third-year head coach Rex Cox understands where his team is headed.
"I like the Seamount," he said. "Our chances look good if we can squeeze out a couple more wins this year and possibly make the playoffs. The players are young and upcoming. In reality, we're a few years away."
Shauna Briggs is the assistant coach.
