MOUNT VERNON — While it may not be possible to quantify the value of experience in terms of straight numbers, the difference between the Anacortes and Mount Vernon softball teams Wednesday might provide a good estimate.
The veteran Bulldogs had just enough experience up their sleeves to pull out a 2-1 Northwest Conference win over the Seahawks.
The Bulldogs, with a lineup primarily of juniors and seniors, were sharp on defense and on the basepaths.
Anacortes, with five freshmen and one sophomore in the starting lineup, lost three runners on the bases during the game.
“We had our chances,” Anacortes coach Tom Swapp said. “We’re starting five freshmen, and we’re learning. The good thing is we’re not making mistakes of omission, we’re making mistakes of commission.”
All of it added to 60 feet in the seventh inning. Down one, the Seahawks pushed the tying run to third base with two out. But Walker induced a pop up to end the threat, and the game.
Walker threw a four-hitter, allowing just one unearned run in the fifth inning.
And while the Bulldog defense faltered on the Seahawk scoring play, the rest of the time it proved stout.
Walker kept the ball in the strike zone, striking out three, and watching her defense do the rest.
“I think we played amazing defense,” Mount Vernon coach Jennifer Francis said. “Cheyenne (Walker) pitched a really good game, and we hit the ball well. Overall, we were really solid.”
Mount Vernon senior catcher Jill Barnett had a hand in both runs.
She singled home Taylor Denham in the first inning to put Mount Vernon ahead, then reached on an error and scored on Alicia Fine’s single in the third for the other run.
Freshman Madison Bundy scored Anacortes’ run. After singling and stealing second, she came around when Mount Vernon threw to an uncovered first base. Bundy trotted in as the throw bounced down the right-field line.
The Bulldogs finished with six hits, one in each inning, and left 10 runners on base. Anacortes freshman Jackie Saunders struggled to find the strike zone much of the game, walking six, but wriggled out of jams and allowed one earned run.
“We played right with them until the end,” Swapp said. “Mount Vernon is a pretty good team.”
• Eric Francis can be reached at 360-416-2131 or by e-mail at
