Softball: Douglas won with defense, chemistry

With the strongest lineup since the program claimed the Northern 4A regional title six years ago, the Douglas softball team rolled to its second-consecutive Sierra League title.

While there was little surprise about the Tigers' offensive prowess, not to mention their solid defense, the revelation of the year was the emergence of the strongest pitching rotation since that same 2004 squad.

The bad news is that the core of the starting lineup is graduating (four out of five infield spots, not to mention the top four in doubles and home runs and top two in triples, RBIs, runs scored and batting average). The good news is that the entire pitching rotation is due back, along with the entire outfield and a key starter in the infield.

"We're definitely losing a lot with the seniors," said Douglas coach Andy Mitchell. "They've been such a strong group. But we had a good mixture of each age and we are optimistic with what we have coming back.

"Pitching is obviously an extremely important part of the game. We'll have high expectations for them next year and they should help us to be very competitive next season."

Among the big losses are Sierra League Player of the Year and four-year starting catcher Katrina Morgan, who belted 11 home runs and drove in 53 runs this season. The Tigers also lose four-time first-team all-league shortstop Emily Weaver, who batted .553 and led the team with 16 doubles.

Power slugger first baseman Morgan Blomstrom, who had 10 home runs and 50 RBIs this year, is bound for Division III George Fox University next season, while starting third baseman Rebecca Trute is set to play for Feather River College next year after driving in 17 runs this year.

"We're going to miss them a lot," Mitchell said. "They were strong leaders and played together for such a long time. They were extremely competitive. You don't just replace what they brought to us. You can build up over time, but you can't just push a button."

Aside from the marked playing ability, Mitchell said the team's key to success was in the way they were off the field.

"They all just got along so well," he said. "It wasn't just about being fun either. They all respected each other and pushed each other to be better.

"They worked hard and it just wasn't an individual type of group. We didn't share individual stats with them and they didn't care. The most important thing to them was working as a team."

Mitchell also said the team's committment to working on its defense helped pave the way to the league title.

"They really took pride in playing defense," Mitchell said. "Usually teams to just to hit at practice, but this team wanted to work on defense every day. They wanted us to challenge them to make diving stops or catches.

"The results showed up in our games."

Douglas saw an abrupt end to its season after being shocked by unranked McQueen in the first round of the playoffs and beating defending regional champ Reed in the loser's bracket only to fall the next day to Damonte Ranch after a furious rally late in the game.

"It's not the way we thought or hoped it would end, but it doesn't erase what they did during the season," Mitchell said. "They worked hard and fought hard every game. We came up a little short of our goals, but when you look back on it, there's nothing to hang your head about."

The Tigers will get starting pitchers Chelsea Fent (first-team all-league, 10-4, 67 K), Kalee Duryee (second-team all-league, 9-3, 29 K) and freshman lefty Taylor McKinnon (4-2, 26 K) back, along with standout second baseman Brenna White (5 2B, 19 RBIs, .406 avg.) and the entire starting outfield, including two-time first-team all-leaguer Maddy Gilbert and Amanda Caras and Nikki Chavez back.

Naomi Roberts, who was the team's designated player for most of the year while batting .300 with 10 RBIs, is also due back as is reserve Aaliyah Paxson.