YAKIMA--Evergreen Lutheran got behind early against last years' state runner-up

Mossyrock, that returned 11 players including their pitcher who threw a

complete game, struck out six and two-hit the Eagles for a 10-0 10-run rule

shortened opening round game of the WIAA Dairy Farmers of Washington 1/A B

Fastpitch State Tournament at the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima Friday.

So the loss was not that bad, playing against a team like that. And, like,

throw in that the Eagles threw a freshman pitcher in this game. And, she was

a freshman, so that right there says she was inexperienced. And, Mossyrock

threw a returning pitcher that's been to state before.

So, yeah, not that bad.

"Mossyrock was in the state championship last year and they are as good

again this year as they were last year," said Eagles head coach, Dave Habeck.

What was Habeck most proud about? There was no offense. So, it had to be one

thing, the one good thing that surfaced in this game that should signal many

good years to come for the Eagles in the sport.

"I am proud of my pitcher," said Habeck. "She didn't walk anybody the entire

game."

Lauren Miller is that pitcher, and, she knew what she was happy about too

afterward, what her coach said.

"I didn't walk anybody," said Miller. "I even struck one girl out."

She did.

"She understands the game," said Habeck, who also has coached the boys

basketball team to state a few times, top eight finishes too. He also has

had the girls in the state tournament a few years consistently.

She understands the intricacies of the game.

"She is not a fast pitcher, but she varies her speed and that affects the

hitters," said Habeck.

The Eagles' chance for first place at state is over, but they will be a

better team next year for sure, if Miller just keeps on doing what she has

been doing all season -- improving her pitching.

But for this state, the goal was to do better than last year.

"We want to win one more game at state this year than last," said Habeck.

The Eagles lost to Inchelium and then beat Orcas and lost to Morton last

year.

Mossyrock just scored a lot of runs in this game, 2-0, after the first, 5-0

after the second and that was good enough.