Coach Dee Herren simply calls them the senior and the freshman.
But for the Auburn Mountainview fastpitch team, the combination of Kristin Herren, the senior, and Alleyah Amendariz, the freshman, has been magic this season.
“We probably have the best one-two pitching combination in the league,” Coach Herren said.
The aces have helped the Lions charge to a 12-4 South Puget Sound League 3A record, 13-4 overall, with Herren compiling an 8-0 record and Amendariz adding a 7-1 record with four saves.
The playoff-bound Lions, who were guaranteed a top-three spot in the SPSL 3A, were waiting the results of several rescheduled league games to determine their official finish.
“We’re really pleased. This is the highest we’ve ever finished in the league,” said Kristin Herren, the coach’s daughter. “Obviously we want to make it to state. That’s our No. 1 goal. And we want to win a game at state because our program has never done that before.”
Coach Herren has relied on Amendariz and Herren, occasionally bringing in Amendariz in relief.
“I love closing games, but I also love opening them,” Amendariz said. “It’s second-nature for me. Last year I was going in and shutting them down all the time. And going to closing, it’s fun.”
Such a one-two luxury is rare in high school fastpitch.
“She’s not a (natural) pitcher,” Coach Herren said of his daughter. “(Kristen) pitches because the team needs her. Last year she pitched every single inning of every single game.”
To avoid fatigue, one spells the other in what has become a successful plan of attack for the Lions.
Amendariz has emerged under the tutelage of former University of Washington pitching coach Eve Gaw. The young Lion has acquired a four-pitch repertoire, including a fastball, curve, drop-ball and a change-up – and has proven to be downright unhittable at times.
“Everything I’ve learned about pitching and playing, I’ve learned from Eve Gaw,” Amendariz said.
As an eighth-grader at Rainier Middle School, Amendariz dominated from the circle in leading the team to an undefeated record.
Apart from school ball, Amendariz plays select ball with the Washington LadyHawks. She played in the American Softball Association 14U Nationals last season.
In addition to the play of their prized and poised pitchers, the Lions have flourished with good team chemistry this season.
“We’re pretty solid,” Kristin Herren said. “We all get along really well.”
With the sub-district tourney starting May 14, the Lions are right on the cusp of reaching their ultimate goal of a 3A state tournament berth.
“We made it to state the second year as a program,” Kristin Herren said, “and we’ve been dying to get back.”
