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CONNELL Connell fans will get one more chance to watch one of the Eagles' most prolific athletes in action when Debbie Molsbarger enters the pitchers' circle at the 1A girls state tournament beginning today at TRAC softball complex in Pasco.
Molsbarger has earned 12 varsity letters in soccer, basketball and softball over the last four years and has led those teams to nine state berths and three state trophies. A state title, however, has eluded the Columbia Basin College-bound senior.
That could change this weekend, as the Eagles (22-0) are the state's top-ranked team heading into today's first-round matchup with Castle Rock (20-2) at 10 a.m.
If Molsbarger -- the SCAC East MVP for the last three seasons -- has anything to do with it, Connell could be in for a big weekend.
"I don't think we necessarily got the best draw in the world, but if we get by that first team, who knows what we could do," said Eagles coach Andy Sawyer of Castle Rock, which has reached the 1A championship game each of the last two seasons, winning the title in 2007.
Sawyer, a 1987 Connell graduate and Molsbarger's softball coach since 1998, has seen most of the Eagles' top female athletes through the years and ranks Molsbarger among the best he's ever seen.
"I am anxious that it's my last week of high school softball. I do have one thing in mind -- to win a state championship," said Molsbarger, who led the SCAC East in every major pitching category (16-0, 155 strikeouts, 0.38 ERA) as well as batting average (.575) during the regular season. "Being the senior in the circle, there's a little more pressure on me, but at the same time we're all feeling the pressure."
The River View Panthers (17-6), led by 6-foot senior Chani Brisby, will make their third trip to state in the last four years. The Panthers will play Chimacum (17-2) at noon today.
Brisby hit a whopping seven home runs to lead all Mid-Columbia players. She also led the SCAC East with 37 RBIs and finished fourth in the league with a .530 batting average. Right behind her was promising freshman Haley Hess, who hit .511 to finish fifth in the league but tied for first with 21 stolen bases. Hess (4-1, 2.65 ERA) combined with her sister Lexie (11-2, 1.90) to give the Panthers the top pitching duo in the SCAC.
Class 4A
Walla Walla swept the league, district and regional titles for the first time in school history and is the CBBN's most promising entry into the 4A girls tournament at SERA Fields in Tacoma. The Blue Devils (24-3) will open against Cascade (Everett) (12-10) at 11 a.m. today.
Walla Walla has had much success with a strong and balanced lineup led by CBBN Cascade MVP Alexis Bobadilla. The Blue Devils may also have the strongest pitching staff at the tournament, with Bobadilla, Hope Klicker and Alyson Ambler combining for a collective ERA just above 1.00.
Kennewick (19-7) was the surprise of this year's 4A Eastern Regional tournament, going 2-1 to clinch its first-ever state berth in fastpitch. The Lions are led by first-baseman Amanda Hall, a three-time all-league selection, and pitcher Taylor Bakos, who tossed three strong complete games at regionals. Kennewick will play Mountain View (21-2), at 1 p.m.
Kamiakin (16-10) was supposed to be mired in a rebuilding year after graduating seven starters, but the Braves returned to state after going 3-2 in its inaugural appearance at the 3A tourney last season. Kamiakin, which opens against Central Kitsap (16-4) at 1 p.m., is led by senior third baseman Allegra Wilde and freshman pitcher Lindsey Kamphius.
Class 1B
Zoe Weaver, a two-time all-Blue Mountain outfielder, will lead defending 1B state champion Touchet (17-3) against Almira/Coulee-Hartline (15-7) at 1 p.m. at the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima. The Indians won the BML district tournament, beating Colton 8-5.
