Issaquah fastpitch’s only loss to Newport is only one that counts

The Issaquah fastpitch team, which was a perfect 4-0 against rival Newport this season, lost to the Knights last Friday during the class 3A state tournament at Tacoma’s SERA Fields. Issaquah fell 5-2 to Newport in the second round of the consolation bracket, ending the Eagles’ season and hopes of advancing to day two and placing.

May 29, 2008 1:55 am
Issaquah’s Kristen Aratani lays down a bunt against Newport earlier this season. The Eagles beat the Knights four times before losing to them
Issaquah’s Kristen Aratani lays down a bunt against Newport earlier this season. The Eagles beat the Knights four times before losing to them

The Issaquah fastpitch team, which was a perfect 4-0 against rival Newport this season, lost to the Knights last Friday during the class 3A state tournament at Tacoma’s SERA Fields.

Issaquah fell 5-2 to Newport in the second round of the consolation bracket, ending the Eagles’ season and hopes of advancing to day two and placing. Newport took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and tacked on four more in the fifth. The Eagles rallied for a run in the sixth and another in the seventh, but came up shy.

Issaquah lost its opening round game to eventual tournament champion Kennedy, 5-2 in extra innings. Tied 1-1 headed to the top of the ninth, the Lancers broke the game open with four runs. Kenna Olsen, who was 3-for-4 for the Eagles, drove in one of her two runs in the bottom of the inning. Kennedy was led by starter Karli Merlich’s 10 strikeouts.

The Eagles battled back to win their second game, winning 9-4 over Auburn Riverside. Kelly Richards was 4-for-4 with four runs scored and Kim Sekijima was also 4-for-4.

Issaquah, which entered the state tournament with a perfect 21-0 record, ended the year at 22-2 overall.