Trojans’ season comes to end

While the postseason may have ended prematurely for the Olympic High School softball squad, the Trojans will still go down as the top Oly team in school history — so far.

After falling 10-0 to Capital in a Narrows League winner-to-district, loser-out contest, the Trojans, returning seven starters, are already optimistic for next season.

“We should be right back in this situation next year,” coach Rachel Davenport said after a combination of strong pitching from Capital’s Julie Velazquez and errors took the Trojans down.

Velazquez fired a no-hitter, letting just two runners reach base on a walk and fielder’s choice. Davenport said Velazquez may be the toughest pitcher Oly saw this season.

“That was an outstanding kid,” she said.

Olympic was able to make contact with the ball throughout, but couldn’t find holes to get the ball out of the infield. She said the team didn’t play small ball as it has all season either.

“We made good contact on her,” Davenport said. “We only got one bunt down all day. We just didn’t do any small ball today.”

As for how far her team came, it all boils down to chemistry, Davenport said.

“They just gelled so well together,” Davenport said. “To have that happen and be such good friends — you can tell they’re friends all season.”

Outgoing senior Kaite Longmire, the club’s third baseman, said after playing through some tough years, including last season’s 1-16 record, she was just happy to contribute to bettering the team.

“I’m really proud of this group of girls,” Longmire said. “The last two years have been a team that’s not gelling. This year, we all clicked. It was a great season. I don’t regret a minute of it.”

With so many returners (Oly will also lose Candice Cruz and Janice Eshleman), Davenport said next season, the Trojans should be able to build on this year’s gains.

“The next challenge is to take it a step farther,” Davenport said.

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