Auburn Mountainview drops first league game of season

Through seven games this season, the Auburn Mountainview Lions softball team was unbeaten in NPSL league play. On April 15, they took on the only other 3A undefeated team in the Enumclaw Hornets, and fell 7-1 for their first league loss of the year.

It is the first time all season the Lions have been held to one run, and the first time since May 16 in a 16-0 shutout against River Ridge.

The story was Enumclaw right-hander Alyssa Harris in the circle for the Hornets. She pitched a complete game, giving up just four hits while striking out 14 and allowing just one run that was unearned. She also didn’t walk a single Lion hitter, and for Head Coach Kristin Herren and her players, they just didn’t make adjustments against Harris in time.

“One of our captains Mia (Heigh) was talking about how we just need to make adjustments sooner. By the end of the game, we were in it, we were hitting the ball and fouling pitches off. But we just need to do that earlier in the game like the second time through the order. I think when we play these guys again it will be a good battle,” Herren said.

In terms of keeping tabs on the Hornet offense, Lions pitchers Addy Thibeault-Miranda and McKenna Ward combined to allow just one earned run of the seven that came around to score. The pitfall of the game was the top of the fourth inning where five Enumclaw runs came across to score.

In that fourth inning, the Lions committed three errors, walked a pair and gave up three hits. Herren was undecided on whether she wanted to pull Thibeault-Miranda in the middle of the inning, but decided to let her finish the inning.

“People weren’t making plays for her in the fourth inning, but she kept throwing strikes and didn’t give up,” Herren said.

Ward pitched the final three innings for the Lions and gave her offense a chance to get back in the game. Ward gave up just three hits across her three innings of work and kept the Enumclaw lineup off-balance.

“McKenna came in from first base, warmed up and didn’t give up any runs. The pitchers were on point, they did their job,” said Herren.

The lone Lions run came across to score in the bottom of the fourth inning after Brynn Erdmann reached on an infield hit. Up stepped Lauren Mattioli, who dropped a swinging bunt, and shortstop Nadia Flaherty made an errant throw, which allowed Erdmann to score all the way from first.

In the sixth, the Lions had their best inning at the plate with runners on first and second and just one out. Harris buckled down and struck out the next two Lions, minimizing the threat.

Since their non-league games against Garfield and North Creek, the Lions just haven’t seen a pitcher the skill of Harris. But to see what they need to improve on in game 11 versus 21 in the playoffs gives Herren’s group a chance to grow.

“This was the first time we have seen fast pitching in our league essentially. We’ve had some decent competition when it comes to pitching, but nobody has been throwing hard like in years past. Nobody is a powerhouse is what I am trying to say,” Herren said.

The Lions had mercy ruled every team they have played since March 28 until the game against Enumclaw. To take a loss like this on the chin and see what it takes to compete at this level is important for the Lions as they have big aspirations this season.

“It’s a good wake-up call. It’s good for the girls to see fast pitching and good competition. It’s good to have something to work toward and not just float through,” Herren said.

Auburn Mountainview takes on Decatur on the road on April 17 for their next matchup.