Almost everyone will be back for CK

softball team.

TACOMA — For the second consecutive season, the Central Kitsap softball team’s trip to state was short.

But unlike a year ago, when the losses ended the careers of a senior-laden squad in a mix of tears and positive recollections, this CK squad will be back for more.

While the 2007 team saw a large and talented senior class graduate, just two seniors leave this season’s much younger — and now equally experienced — team.

“No regrets,” CK coach Bruce Welling said of his team’s short-lived state trip. “You get better when you play against better people.”

For players like Erin Curtis, who advanced with CK last year too, the state appearance was a victory of sorts in and of itself.

After graduating a core including current college players Erika Quint, Kendall Sours, Karli Baumgartner, Amy Renfrow and Brittany Romano, not many pegged the Cougars for a strong Narrows League finish, much less a state berth.

“It feels really good,” Curtis said of proving doubters wrong. “That was our goal. Now we’ll just try to improve and make it here again next year.”

The Cougars certainly won’t be overlooked next year, as only seniors Lauren Weaber and Brittany Millermon graduate.

Welling, who began coaching in 1982 and has led the Cougars to 10 state appearances including the 1993 state title, said he’s never had a group with such low turnover.

“They realize they can play with everybody,” he said of his young squad. “This is not a physical game, it’s mental. And it pays dividends.”

In the 2008 4A WIAA State Softball Championships opener, held at the South End Recreation Area, CK fell in a narrow 2-0 game to Monroe. The game was tied 0-0 into the bottom of the sixth inning when Monroe started applying heat, loading the bases with two outs. A crucial CK error on a pop fly allowed the deciding runs to score.

“Monroe is a very, very, very good team,” Welling said. “I don’t know if we would have won or not, but we should have gone to a tie-breaker.”

CK was held hitless by Monroe starter Jordan Birch, who struck out 14 in her no-hitter. CK starter Carolyn Cross was nearly as effective however, allowing just two hits herself.

That put the Cougars (17-7) in a consolation game against Kentlake.

CK built an early 3-0 lead before one bad inning featuring two critical CK errors allowed the Falcons to score five runs in the bottom of the third, with Kentlake holding on to a 5-4 win. Once again, Cross, affectionately referred to as “KK” by coaches as teammates, pitched extremely well in the game.

“I think the silver lining, if there is a silver lining, is ‘KK,’” Welling said. “She pitched extremely well all through districts, all through state. In this game you have to have that pitcher and we do.”

Catcher Katie Hanten was another who had a solid tournament, using her defense and smarts

behind the plate to aid Cross and keep CK in both games.

“She calls the game,” Welling said of Hanten. “I might call one or two (pitches). I’ll call something and she’ll say, ‘No.’ And she’s right.

“I think every coach would love to have a Katie or a ‘KK’ on their team.”

More youth, like freshman Jenna Bartlett, took advantage of the postseason opportunities as well. Bartlett belted a double and stole two bases against Kentlake.

“Getting that experience is huge,” Welling said.

In fact, he said this year’s experience will extend far into next year, as CK got a taste of what the team can and can not do against the state’s premier clubs.

“We were trying to do too much,” Welling said. “The tendency is let’s hurry up and get it done. In reality it should be take your time. Don’t worry about getting it done.”

Curtis said she’s excited already to get back and work on advancing once more — even if that is a year away.

“It’s great because we have a whole other year to bond as a team,” she said.

One of several young players that got to experience last year’s run, she said this year’s first-time participants will get to experience the same benefits players like herself, Cross and Hanten did last year.

“All the new players this year know what it feels like,” she said. “We’ll be prepared. I think we just need to focus. Just play hard.”

And while CK fell at state, Welling said it in no way reflects on the team’s accomplishments this year, including a second-place finish at the West Central District III tournament.

“They did an excellent job,” he said.

With so many coming back, Welling said he too is excited about the possibilities next season holds.

“It’s something to look forward to,” Welling said. “It’s very good. It’s rewarding.”