RICHLAND Even though Richland is 0-4 in the CBBN Cascade Division, it might be a bit early to call it a 'down' year for the Bombers.
Especially since coach Casey Emery knows, minus some costly errors here and there, how good Richland really could be.
"Our goal is to get to regionals. We'll have to clean a couple things up," said Emery, who watched the Bombers fritter away late-inning leads in recent losses to Southridge, Walla Walla and Kennewick. "We're playing better defense. We just can't close games out. But I feel good because by (playoff time) I think we'll figure it out."
Emery has been especially impressed with the progress of Kelsey Jager, a senior who stepped in as the Bombers' No. 1 pitcher this year despite no varsity pitching experience.
Jager, who has signed to play at Concordia (Portland), switched to a 'windmill' style after working with Richland pitching coach Stephanie Hogan, a former Hanford/CBC/ Central Washington product. Jager's velocity and movement improved dramatically, and the result has been a more confident pitcher.
"She's progressing and learning. She's hitting her spots real well," Emery said of Jager, whose repertoire includes a curve, change and a rise ball that continues to improve daily. "She doesn't throw over 50 mph, but she puts everything she's got into every pitch."
-- Pasco is tied for third place in the Columbia Division behind Southridge and Moses Lake, but the Bulldogs got a real boost to their lineup with the return of two-time All-CBL honoree Kaylie Winston.
Winston, who broke her finger right before Pasco's season opener, made a few appearances over the last two weeks as a pinch-runner and went 3-for-8 in her first at-bats of the season last Friday against Sunnyside. Then she exploded for seven RBIs in Wednesday's doubleheader sweep of Eisenhower, going 6-for-6 to raise her average to .643 (9-for-14).
Bulldogs coach Paul Antonovich said Winston, who played catcher during her first two seasons, will play at shortstop this year to help stabilize the infield.
"The last two years I worked her at shortstop. We just had a pretty good shortstop (Sandra Brummett)," Antonovich said. "This year, I knew our pitching wouldn't be as strong as it has been, so we needed (Winston) there."
-- Day 2 of the CBBN district tournament May 16 has been moved from the Kennewick Civic Fields to Columbia Playfields in Richland.
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Walla Walla women go for 3
Walla Walla women go for 3
The Walla Walla women's soccer team is back at its home away from home this weekend.
For the seventh consecutive season, the Warriors earned a trip to the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila for the NWAACC semifinals, and they've done so in dominating fashion.
Walla Walla (20-0-1), the East Divison champion, will take on Everett (13-5-2), the North champ, at 10:30 a.m. today for a spot in the championship. The two teams have faced each other once before, playing to a 1-1 draw on Sept. 6.
Moses Lake soccer makes history with win
Moses Lake soccer makes history with win
RICHLAND — You have to dig a while into the Big Nine record books before you find the last time the Richland girls soccer team lost a district championship match.
For the record, it was 1996 when the Kamiakin Braves handed the Bombers a 3-0 loss at Hanford High School. That was 15 years ago.
You'll be digging even longer if you're looking for Moses Lake's last district title. That's because it's never happened.
Southridge's Johnson thinking forward to 100th goal
Southridge's Johnson thinking forward to 100th goal
The last time Southridge forward Heather Johnson faced the Hanford Falcons in a CBBN 3A girls soccer match, she got a taste of her own medicine.
The top-ranked Suns and No. 5 Falcons were tied 5-all after 90 minutes of regulation and overtime. But with starting goalkeeper Ingrid Stein still injured, Southridge coach Greg Sambrano called on Johnson to step in as the Suns' shootout goaltender.
"It's a lot of pressure. I totally feel for them now. It's scary and nerve-wracking," said Johnson, who went on to make a save in Southridge's eventual 4-2 shootout win.
Family Affair
Family Affair
The Kamiakin Braves figure to play a key role in several story lines when the state cross country races take over Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Saturday.
Matt and Stephanie Rexus are key players for the Braves -- Matt is the longtime coach of the boys team expected to challenge five-time defending 3A champion North Central, Stephanie a senior and top runner for the girls team looking to repeat as state trophy winners.
But for a twist of fate, the father and daughter might never have gotten into running the first place.
Calmus leads Bombers to win
Calmus leads Bombers to win
Kirsten Calmus knows she's not blessed with a lot of natural speed, especially when she's playing hurt on a twisted ankle.
But the Richland forward knows how to put herself in the right place at the right time, leading her team to an important 3-2 CBBN 4A victory over Davis at Bomber Field.
"This was a big game because there's three teams (Davis, Moses Lake and Richland) tied for first in the standings," Calmus said.
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