The Kentwood High fastpitch team is no fluke.
The Conquerors proved as much on Monday and Tuesday, sweeping away perennial power Auburn Riverside on back-to-back days to forge a comfortable lead in the South Puget Sound League North Division. Kentwood (10-0 league after a 13-0 win over Kent-Meridian on Wednesday) solidified its hold on first place with a 4-3 win over the Ravens on Monday, then toppled AR again on Tuesday, 4-1.
More impressively, however, is the fact that the Conks knocked off Auburn Riverside ace Amanda Fitzsimmons on both days.
“She’s a great pitcher,” Kentwood coach Jason Wisor said. “For us to get both of them from her this year is huge.”
On Monday, the Conquerors fought back from a 3-1 deficit after six innings, tying the score at 3-3. Another run in the final frame was enough to lift Kentwood over the Ravens 4-3.
Kentwood’s Kayla Evans went the distance in the circle, allowing just two hits and striking out five. Katie Adams paced the offense with a home run while Alex Lucas and Brooke Thomas had an RBI apiece.
Fitzsimmons was tagged with the loss despite striking out 13.
“We were coming out hoping to get both from every team,” Wisor said. “We’re coming out confident, erasing the last game and just going about our business. And right now all of our lineup is contributing and it’s paying off for us. Day in and day out, the kids are working hard. They’re excited to be here. It’s just a good team atmosphere right now.”
Evans again went the distance on Tuesday, striking out three and allowing three hits. She also added a pair of hits at the plate.
For Auburn Riverside, Hannah Melick had an RBI double in the sixth inning.
Fitzsimmons struck out 15 batters in taking the loss.
“I wouldn’t say that this is a huge deal,” she said. “It’s not that big of an obstacle because they’re on everybody’s radar now and we’re under it. I think it also shows us that we’re beatable and that we have things to work on. We need to concentrate every single second and every single play.”
Kentwood entered the weekend with a two-game lead over Kentlake for the lead in the SPSL North.
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