Rangers Split the Weekend Homestand
The Olympic Rangers softball team split their four-game homestand over the weekend, dropping both games to Everett College on Friday, April 18, before bouncing back with two victories against Shoreline College on Saturday, April 19. In a tightly contested opener, the Rangers fell 3–1 to Everett. Despite a strong pitching performance from Tatem Miller, who allowed only three runs over seven innings, the offense managed just four hits. The lone run came from a Haley Garber single in the 6th inning that scored Olivia Pater. The second game saw the Rangers struggle both offensively and defensively, resulting in a 15–2 loss. Olympic's two runs came early with a Garber double and Kelker single in the bottom of the first. Six errors did not make it easy for the pitching staff of Kelker and Whitehead who faced challenges containing Everett's bats, leading to the lopsided score.
The Rangers rebounded with a 12–9 victory over Shoreline in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. The offense was led by Abigail Aribal, who went 3-for-4 and was a home run away from the cycle. Tatem Miller, Hayley Garber, and Madison Kelker all hit dingers for the Rangers who also benefited from multiple RBIs games from Pater and McBee. Miller and Avery combined to strike out 8 Dolphins as the defense suffered from too many errors for the second game in a row.
In the series finale, Olympic secured an 11–7 win. The Rangers jumped out early and held on due to multi-hit games from Sienna Kauhi and Jennaleigh Whitehead. Madison Kelker's 5th inning double scored Garber, then she scored herself off Kauhi's homerun that put the Rangers ahead for good. Kauhi had an impressive weekend batting .500 with 6 hits, 2 RBI, a double, and an HR. Aribal hit her second triple of the day and added two RBI. Kelker pitched six innings and was hurt again by some costly defensive errors, but she hung in there and ensured the Rangers' win. Whitehead closed out the game, pitching the 7th. With the weekend split, the Rangers move to 11–7 in conference play and 16-17 overall. They will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for upcoming matchups at Highline and Everett this weekend.
Friday, April 18 vs. Everett College
Game 1: Everett 3, Olympic 1
Offense: 1 run [Pater], 4 hits [Kauhi (2)], 1 RBI [Garber], 2 walks [Aribal, McBee].
Defense: 7 IP [Miller], 3 earned runs [Miller], 7 hits allowed [Miller], 6 strikeouts [Miller].
Game 2: Everett 15, Olympic 2
Offense: 2 runs [Aribal, Garber], 6 hits [Kelker, Aribal, Garber, Brierly, Kauhi, Avery], 2 RBIs [Kelker, Garber], 2 walks [Pater, McBee], 1 steal [Aribal].
Defense: 5.2 IP [Kelker (5), Whitehead (0.2)], 10 earned runs [Kelker (7), Whitehead (3)], 14 hits allowed [Kelker (11), Whitehead (3)], 2 strikeouts [Kelker], 6 errors [Pater (2), Garber, Kelker, McBee, Whitehead].
Saturday, April 19 vs. Shoreline College
Game 1: Olympic 12, Shoreline 9
Offense: 12 runs [Aribal (3)], 15 hits [Aribal (3)], 10 RBIs [Garber (2), Pater (2), Miller (2), McBee (2)], 1 walk [Avery], 3 HR [Miller, Garber, Kelker], 1 triple [Aribal], 2 doubles [Aribal, Miller].
Defense: 7 IP [Miller (4.0), Avery (3.0)], 8 earned runs [Miller (6), Avery (2)], 8 hits allowed [Miller (5), Avery (3)], 8 strikeouts [Miller (6), Avery (2)], 5 errors [Pater (2), Miller, Garber, McBee].
Game 2: Olympic 11, Shoreline 7
Offense: 11 runs [Kauhi (3)], 8 hits [Kauhi (2), Whitehead (2)], 9 RBIs [Kelker (2), Aribal (2), Kauhi (2)], 1 walk [Aribal], 1 triple [Aribal], 2 doubles [Kelker, Brierly].
Defense: 7 IP [Keler (6), Whitehead (1)], 4 earned runs [Kelker], 11 hits allowed [Kelker (9), Whitehead (2)], 3 strikeouts [Kelker], 1 IP [Miller], 3 errors [Garber, Brierly, Whitehead].
