The young Anacortes fastpitch squad crossed the mountains to learn a few lessons that will prove valuable in coming campaigns. Paramount among them was that spotting state tournament-caliber teams four or five runs may be hazardous to your team’s state championship aspirations.

That’s what happened as East Valley of Yakima took an early four-run lead in the Seahawks’ first game in the May 23-24 state 2A tournament in Selah. And in their second game against Centralia later in the day. And in the third game against Steilacoom in the evening of May 23 the Seahawks upped the ante by allowing five runs before scoring.

Anacortes came from behind to defeat East Valley, but Centralia held off the ‘Hawks and Steilacoom added a decider in the top of the seventh after Anacortes had managed to overcome the deficit and tie the score at 5-5.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Anacortes coach Tom Swapp. “We’d get behind, then come back. The kids never gave up. They fought their heads off.”


Anacortes 7, East Valley 5

East Valley of Yakima jumped out early on the Seahawks in their state tournament opener. A four-run second created a mountain for the ‘Hawks to climb.

Trailing 4-0 in the fourth, Anacortes launched its ascent. Hannah Brennan took the first decisive step by singling in the ‘Hawks’ first run, followed by another RBI single by Megan Dunton.

Freshman slugger Madison Bundy then slammed a two-run homer to even the score.

“In three minutes we went to 4-0 to 4-4,” Swapp said. “The place was electric with excitement.”

After the Yakima team scored a go-ahead run in the top of the fifth, Anacortes again got the evener as sophomore catcher Maria Roney stroked a two-out run-scoring single in the bottom of the frame.

“We scored two runs on back-to-back squeeze bunts by Bundy and Tara Bellusci to win the game,” Swapp said.

Bundy’s squeeze scored Hannah Brennan and Bundy scored on Bellusci’s squeeze after working her way to third via a steal.

“Jackie Saunders set down the last nine hitters,” Swapp said. “It was a terrific win for the team.”

EV 040 010 0-5 5 3
Ana 000 412 x-7 8 1

Cuillier and Ganuelas; Saunders (W, 11-6) and Roney.
Leading Ana hitters: Bundy 2-3 (HR, 3 RBIs, Roney 2-3 (RBI).


Centralia 6, Anacortes 3

In their quarterfinal game, Anacortes allowed an insurmountable four-run lead against a strong Centralia Tiger pitcher.

“The difference was that their pitching stopped us for four innings,” Swapp said.

“Second time through the batting order we got to her, but we couldn’t get the equalizer. She was a tough pitcher. All the pitchers we saw at the tournament were tough.”

Bundy smashed a two-run double in the fifth and Hannah Brennan added an RBI single in the sixth, but Anacortes was unable to produce the equalizing runs.

Cen 012 011 1-6 12 1
Ana 000 021 0-3 5 2

Lorton and Scherer; Saunders (L, 11-7), Dunton (5) and Roney.
Leading Ana hitters: Bundy 1-2 (2B, 2 RBI), H. Brennan 1-3 (RBI).


Steilacoom 6, Anacortes 5

Freshman pitcher Jackie Saunders didn’t make it out of the first inning in her third start of the day. Junior Megan Dunton relieved and pitched well for the balance of the game, but Steilacoom built a 5-0 lead before Anacortes dented home plate.

Despite the disastrous beginning, the Seahawks bounced back and eventually tied the score at 5-5.

“Sara Brennan started us off with a home run in the second,” Swapp said, “and in the third Bellusci drove in two runs with a triple, then scored on Saunders’ sacrifice fly.”

In the sixth, Megan Dunton drove in Rachel Nelson to tie the score, but Steilacoom managed a run on three consecutive hits — a double, single and triple — in the seventh.

“We got out of the seventh giving up only one run because of our great defense,” Swapp said, “but we couldn’t pick up a run in our half of the inning.”

Swapp described the games at the tournament as “real close, thrillers, heartbreakers.”

Ste 410 000 1-6 9 2
Ana 013 001 0-5 8 3

Kasshun and Mueller; Saunders, Dunton (1) (L, 5-3).
Leading Ana hitters: S. Brennan 1-3 (HR), Bellusci 2-4 (3B, 2 RBIs), H. Brennan 1-2.