Ready to peak: Mount Si softball chemistry, defense building for postseason push | Photo gallery

Published 3:42 pm Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Nikki Carroll attempts a steal on first; Right, senior Maura Murphy reacts to mementos from teammates on Senior Day.

Above, Celine Fowler and Jenny Carroll sign autographs for a youth team. Below, Lauren Smith and Tamarra Crowe bring out a huge stuffed bear for teammate Maura Murphy on Senior Day.

Ready to peak: Mount Si softball chemistry, defense building for postseason push | Photo gallery

Facing down a tough Juanita team, Mount Si senior pitcher Kendra Lee left it all on the field Tuesday, May 8.

The game irrevocably turned the Rebels’ way in the final inning when the Rebels’ Aliah Sweere knocked a homer to bring in a runner and make the rounds herself.

Notre Dame-bound ace Allie Rhodes kept Mount Si scoreless; the Rebels won 3-0. But Lee, who struck out two, and the rest of the Mount Si defense left the senior night challenge, a warm-up for the postseason, in good spirits.

“This game is the game I wanted for my senior night,” Lee said. “This is the team I wanted to play. This fight was the one I wanted. There’s nothing more I could ask for.”

Sophomore Nikki Carroll got Mount Si’s sole hit off Rhodes, hustling to first.

“She throws so fast that you can’t go up there wanting to kill the ball,” Carroll said. “I was just thinking ‘contact’ the whole time. I guess I got lucky.”

In the league tourney on Thursday, May 10, Mount Si beat Liberty, 7-1, clinching an appearance at districts. They fell Friday to Lake Washington, and now play West Seattle Thursday at Lower Woodland Park, the loser going out.

The Mount Si team senses that their defense is peaking now, as the postseason gets underway.

“We’re going to be solid, going into districts, state,” said junior Mickey Blad. “We’re going to give teams a run for their money.”

Blad returned to the field as catcher Wednesday, allowing Britney Stevens to return to first. It felt good for the junior to be back on the field.

Blad praised Lee’s work on the mound that afternoon, saying it was her best performance.

“We have our best defense on the field right now,” said Carroll said, “with Mickey back and Brittany on first. It’s perfect timing going into the playoffs. We have a really good chance now.”

“We’ve always cheered each other on,” she added. “We have such good chemistry. It’ll take us really far.”

“We’re all together,” said sophomore Rachel Picchena. “We’re a team. It’s really helping.”

Senior moments

Wednesday was Senior Night, and the team honored its seniors, including Lee, the sidelined but still passionate Maura Murphy, and team manager Megan Rice.

Lee and Murphy have been the heart of the team, said Head Coach Larry White. Both have shown that they care about their teammates.

Murphy, who was challenged by injury issues, never got to take the field, but she’s still been a major force.

“We’re going to miss Maura’s leadership and total support for the team,” White said.

White will miss Lee’s determination to win.

“She’s just so steady,” he said. “She’s a real calming spirit for the younger girls.”

“They’re both amazing young ladies,” the coach added.

Lee praised the chemistry.

“We’re really close,” she said. “That really makes a difference.” The senior will miss “everything” about the 2012 squad. “I’ve made best friends on this team,” she said.