Softball News

Jim Cheney named head coach

PORT ANGELES – Jim Cheney is back at the helm of the Peninsula Pirate softball program. Cheney, of Port Angeles, served as head coach for the Pirates for three years, from 2003-2006, where his teams went from 10 wins his first year to 20 his second year and 18 his third, when the Pirates qualified for the NWAACC Softball Tournament for the first time. “I am very honored to be a part of PC fast pitch for a second run,” coach Cheney said. “I've had the opportunity to meet and talk with most of the returning players, and I am familiar with the local recruits. So I'm excited with the level of talent that will be on the field in 2009.” Cheney left the program in 2006 to spend more time with his family and to see his daughter Julia pitch for the University of Pennsylvania. He takes over the position vacated by Heather Sankey, who resigned after two years as head coach to pursue her Master’s Degree. “We’re very happy to have Jim back,” Director of Athletics Rick Ross said. “Coach Sankey did a nice job for us the last two years and is leaving him with a very solid team from which to build on. With Jim’s experience and his contacts in the local and regional softball community, I know the program will be in good hands.” Coach Cheney has 23 years of coaching experience under his belt, including two state championships, one regional championship and a fourth place finish at the Junior Babe Ruth World Series with a 16-under team in 2001. He is employed full time at Nippon Paper and will serve Peninsula College in a part-time status.

Pirates sign Swingle, five others

PORT ANGELES – The Peninsula Pirates have signed six players for the 2009 softball season, headed up by Sequim standout Carly Swingle. In addition to the hard-throwing Sequim pitcher, head coach Heather Sankey has received letters of intent from Port Angeles’ Colleen Carey and Caitlin Curtis, from Richland’s Sasha Ramirez and Sam Haberlin, and from Kari Gardner of Henderson, Nevada. “Carly is an exceptionally strong pitcher, who I think will do very well in the NWAACC,” coach Sankey said of the Sequim ace. “She has a dominating presence on the mound with very solid control.” Swingle went 33-14 in three years as a varsity pitcher for the Wolves, including a 13-0 mark in 2006. She was first team All-Niqually League in 2006, first team All-Olympic League in 2007 and second team All-Olympic League in 2008, when she tossed 95 innings and struck out 85 batters with a 1.93 earned run average. She has also pitched in three state tournament games, including a fifth place finish for Sequim in 2007, and four district playoff games. Swingle also has a solid bat, hitting .300 this year with eight RBI. “Colleen will add definite numbers to our bats and has a very high softball IQ, which will gain her a lot of extra bases,” Sankey said of Carey, who batted .340, including five doubles and 11 singles in 47 at bats. “Caitlin is my diamond in the rough,” Sankey said of Curtis. “I see Caitlin coming on and being an asset to our outfield. She has a very strong and accurate arm, plus she’s extremely fast.” From off the Peninsula, Gardner played infield for Green Valley High School in Henderson, NV, while Ramirez, a catcher, and Haberlin, an infielder, both played for Hanford High, located near the Tri-Cities.

Pirates wrap up season 

PORT ANGELES - It was a rough season for the 2008 Peninsula Pirates, who closed out play Saturday at home against Skagit Valley. Neither team was playoff bound, so after suffering a 6-2 loss in a well played first game, the Pirates mixed things up a bit in the second game and lost 19-0 in Kayla Ralston's debut as a collegiate pitcher and with her teammates playing in unfamiliar territory. For the season, Peninsula went 5-31 in conference play and 7-36 overall. The good news, however, is that recruiting is looking promising for next year and there is a wealth of freshman talent returning. In Friday's opener, Sierra McCoy pitched well in her final start as a Pirate and Missy Minor batted 2/2 and Bethany Holt 2/3 to lead the offense. In the second game, it was apparent the defense was going to have challenges, but the defense was errorless. It was the offense that struggled, getting just two hits, those from Ralston and Damaris Craig.

PC fans say goodbye to McCoy, Ralston

PORT ANGELES - Pirate sophomores Sierra McCoy and Kayla Ralston played their final home games in Pirate uniforms Saturday. "Both have had an enormous impact on this team," coach Heather Sankey said. "It was an honor and a privilege to coach both of them and I wish them all the happiness in the world." The celebration was dampered a bit by a much-improved Olympic Ranger softball team that swept the Pirates 8-0 and 10-2. Kaylee Baumstark's base hit marked the only offense for the Pirates in the opener, while Sam Flett went 2/2, Melissa Lisk went 2/2, Ralston doubled, and Kelly Henderson and Missy Minor each singled.

Everett too much for Pirates 

PORT ANGELES - The third-place Trojans overpowered Peninsula 16-3 and 13-2 Tuesday in the wind and rain at Peninsula. The Pirates led the opener 3-2 after two innings and it was close through four, but Everett rallied for eight runs in the sixth to blow it open. Kelly Henderson doubled and Sam Flett, Damaris Craig and Sindi Morrison accounted for PC's only hits. In the second game, the Pirates were held to two runs on three hits, those by Henderson, Craig and Bethany Holt.

Pirates fall at Skagit Valley

MOUNT VERNON - Skagit Valley held off Peninsula 6-3 and 9-4 to sweep an NWAACC North doubleheader Friday. Kayla Ralston went 3/4 with a double, Kelly Henderson homered and Damaris Craig batted 2/4 to lead Peninsula in the opener. In the second game, Skagit outhit the Pirates 11-9, but seven errors proved costly. Henderson went 3/4 with a double, Ralston was 2/4 with two doubles, Sam Flett batted 2/3 and Missy Minor doubled.

Pirates improving week to week 

PORT ANGELES - Just a week after being shutout twice and giving up 16 runs at Olympic, the Pirates took the Rangers to 10 innings before succumbing in the opener, 7-5 and then fell 2-0 in a well-played nightcap. Sierra McCoy pitched all 17 innings for the Pirates and had eight strikeouts and only one walk in the opener. Offensively, McCoy led PC, going 2/5 with a double off the left field fence, Kelly Henderson went 2/5, Kayla Ralston belted a 3-run homer and Damaris Craig and Missy Minor also singled. In the second game, the Rangers held the Pirates to just three hits, thos from Henderson, McCoy and Baumstark. McCoy had five K's and, again, only one free pass. "We come closer and closer every game we play," head coach Heather Sankey said. "We'll get there. We've already made massive headway."

Bellevue blows past PC 

PORT ANGELES - In one of the coldest and most windy afternoons of the season, North Division powerhouse Bellevue rocked the Pirates 23-0 in the opener and then held them off 20-9 in the nightcap. The Pirates closed to 14-9 in the sixth when BCC put the game out of reach with a six-run seventh inning.

Pirates drop two at Olympic 

BREMERTON - The Rangers put together two 8-0 wins over Peninsula Saturday, as the Pirate bats continue to be silent. Details were not available. 

Shoreline takes pair from Pirates 

PORT ANGELES - The Pirates were in both games against Shoreline Friday, but inexperience and errors continue to plague them as they fell 5-2 and 7-2. Kayla Ralston belted an RBI double and Kelly Henderson had the only other hit for the Pirates in the opener. The PC bats came alive for eight hits in the night cap, but left runners on base throughout the game. Henderson was 3/4 with two doubles, Ralston was 2/4 and Damaris Craig, Sierra McCoy and Bethany Holt had the other three hits.

Edmonds forfeits to PC women 

EDMONDS - The Tritons forfeited two wins to Peninsula Saturday for lack of players. The Pirates, now 3-7 in conference play, travel to Everett Tuesday.

Skagit Valley drops Pirates 

PORT ANGELES - The Cardinals shut out the Pirates 10-0 and 19-0 in an NWAACC North Division doubleheader Friday. In the first game, Skagit Valley scored 10 runs on only four hits, capitalizing on seven Pirate errors. PC got two hits from Bethany Holt, and doubles by Kelly Henderson and Damaris Craig, in her first college at bat, and pitcher Sierra McCoy struck out five, but got no run support and little defensive support. Light rain turned to a downpour in the second game and starter Sindi Morrison struggled through the elements with eight walks. McCoy came on in relief, but the Cardinals were well on their way to victory, holding the Pirates hitless.

Shoreline takes two from Pirates 

SHORELINE - The Dolphins came from behind to steal a 5-3 win from the Pirates Tuesday and then pulled off a sweep with an 8-0 victory in the nightcap. The Pirates were held to three hits in the opener, those by Sam Flett, Kayla Ralston and Sindi Morrison, who belted an RBI double. The Pirates were then held to just two hits and no runs in the second game, those from Morrison and Melissa Lisk.

Everett bats too much for PC 

PORT ANGELES - The North Division powerhouse Trojans battered Peninsula 25-1 and 16-0 Saturday. In the opener, Kayla Ralston's solo home run accounted for the Pirates' only score of the day and Sam Flett slapped a base hit to left for the other of PC's two hits. The Pirates managed four hits in the nightcap, those coming from Ralston, Flett, Missy Minor and Bethany Holt, but could not get on the scoreboard. Despite the rough day, the PC women remained positive. "Our girls stayed positive and kept Everett from getting inside their heads," coach Heather Sankey said. "They never once got down and, unlike our opponent, stayed extremely classy and poised. That, to me, goes further than what any scoreboard may say." The Pirates, 1-3, 3-8, travel to Shoreline Tuesday.

Pirates split with Edmonds in opener 

PORT ANGELES - Sierra McCoy tossed a two-hit shutout, striking out 10, and teammate Kelly Henderson went 3/4 with a home run and a double to lead the Pirates to an 8-0 win over Edmonds before a big home crowd Friday. The PC women scored one in the first on Henderson's solo shot to center field, one in the fourth on a double by Kayla Ralston and an RBI single by Missy Minor, one in the fifth walk and an RBI double by Henderson and then four in the sixth on three walks, two Triton errors and a single by Henderson. In the second game, Edmonds scored two runs off starter McCoy, and Sindi Morrison then came on to throw the next six innings, allowing two more runs. The Pirates got one in the first when Ralston knocked in Sam Flett and two in the fifth on singles by Stephanie Gardner and Flett and a two-RBI double by Henderson. Then, trailing 4-3 in the seventh, with Flett on board with a base hit, Henderson hit a long drive over the fence that tailed just foul - and that was as close as it got as the Tritons held on for the one-run victory.

Pirates go 2-5 at Disney Spring Training Tournament 

ORLANDO, FL - The Pirates enjoyed Florida's weather, but snow elsewhere in the east caused tournament directors to change the opponents for Peninsula's final two days of the Disney Spring Training Tournament and Monday's opponent was a four-year college that battered the Pirates 10-2 and 12-2. Not only was PC's pride bruised, but the Pirates sent two players to the ER in Orlando, catcher Marquita Espinoza with an injury to her hand and pitcher Sindi Morrison with an ankle injury. The Pirates split two doubleheaders and finished 2-5 on the tournament. "For the most part, I'm pretty pleased with the week we spent here in Orlando," coach Heather Sankey said. "We still have a lot of work to do when we return." In Monday's opener, Kayla Ralston went 2/3 with a double to finish with a .550 average for the week. Morrison belted an RBI and Stephanie McGarvie knocked in the other run. Sierra McCoy took the loss. In the nightcap, Ralston picked up two RBI, Melissa Lisk went 1/2, Missy Minor 1/3 and Morrison took the five-inning loss. The Pirates will now gear up for the NWAACC North Division opener, at home against Edmonds, on March 21 at 2:00.

PC women split another Orlando doubleheader

ORLANDO, FL - The Pirates were scheduled to play Delaware Tech-Owens on Sunday, but a snowstorm prevented them from traveling, so they played Newbury College and pulled off another split. In two games that were on a time limit, the PC women dropped the first one 6-5 in five innings. Kayla Ralston went 2/3 with a home run, Missy Minor 2/3 with a double, Kelly Henderson 2/3, Marquita Espinoza had an RBI single and Sierra McCoy went 1/2 with two RBI. McCoy took the loss, striking out four and walking two. In the second game, the PC women won 5-2, also in five innings, with Sindi Morrison getting the W, striking out four and scattering six walks. Espinoza belted a home run, Henderson went 2/2 with a double, Ralston 1/2 with two RBI, Bethany Holt 2/2 and McCoy picked up an RBI.

Pirates split with Gloucester County College 

ORLANDO, FL - The Peninsula women recorded their first victory of 2008 Friday with a 6-2 win over Gloucester County College, the second New Jersey school they met at the Disney Spring Training Tournament. Kelly Henderson went 2/4 with two RBI, Kayla Ralston 2/4 with a dole, Sam Flett tripled and picked up two RBI and Marquita Espinoza also knocked in a run. Sierra McCoy got the "W", striking out four and walking two. In the second game, it was Gloucester over PC 7-4. Kayla Ralston had a big day at the plate, going 3/4 with a double and two RBI, Missy Minor went 2/4, Henderson doubled for an RBI and Espinoza singled in a run. Sindi Morrison took the loss, walking only two.  

New Jersey women too much for Pirates 

ORLANDO, FL - The Pirates opened their 2008 season against a tough Burlington County College team out of New Jersey and came out on the wrong end of a 14-2 five-inning setback. Sierra McCoy took the loss on the mound, but hit an RBI double, as did Marquita Espinoza to lead the offense. Kayla Ralston went 1/2 with a single for PC. The Pirates continue pre-season play at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex against Gloucester County College Friday.

Pirates to open at Disney Spring Training

ORLANDO, FL – The Peninsula Pirates, coming off their best season in the school’s seven-year history, open the 2008 campaign Thursday against Burlington County College at the Disney Spring Training Tournament. Second-year head coach Heather Sankey held a practice session at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex Wednesday in preparation for Thursday’s 12:30 EST opener against the New Jersey women. The Pirates then play a doubleheader against Gloucester County College on Friday, a doubleheader against Delaware Tech on Sunday and two more against Cuyahoga Community College on Monday before returning to Port Angeles. The Pirates will open conference play March 21 at home against Edmonds. Coach Sankey and her staff return only three players from the team that went 27-19 last year, placing in the top 10 in the NWAACC. Back are shortstop Kayla Ralston of Port Angeles, pitcher Sierra McCoy of Quilcene and catcher Katie Longmire of Bremerton. The 2008 Pirates will feature 11 newcomers, including pitcher Sandi Morrison of Easton, catcher Marquita Espinoza of Sequim, infielders Stephanie Gardner of Sequim, Samantha Flett of Willpinit, Elisabeth Minor and Kelly Henderson, both of Port Angeles. Expecting to see time in the outfield will be Bethany Holt of Anchorage, AK and Port Angeles grads Brooke Helpenstell, Melissa Lisk, Stephanie McGarvie and Heather Wopperer.

2007

The Pirates completed their best season in the school's 7-year history with a 27-19 overall record and a 22-14 conference mark and a top-10 fininish in the NWAACC under first-year head coach Heather Sankey. The Pirates tied for third place in the Northern Region (highest finish ever) and played well at the NWAACC Softball Championships May 18-20 at Delta Park in Portland. Peninsula opened against Wenatchee Valley, the top-seeded team out of the East, and fell 4-1 in a classic fastpitch softball battle. Megan Ramsey went 2-2 at the plate and Kelli Napoli, Jessica Rosencrants and Sierra McCoy had the teams' other three hits. The Pirates then took on Highline - and this one was all PC. Megan Ramsey and Jessica Rosencrants combined on a 7-hit shutout, and the team broke out early, scoring one in the second, three in the third to win 4-0. Katie Longmire went 2/3 and Kayla Ralston and Suzanna Goplen-Dean both doubled to lead the PC bats. Ramsey, Rosencrants, Jennifer Monroe, and Leah Bradley also had hits. The Pirates then advanced to a Saturday game against fifth-ranked Walla Walla and that one too was a battle. Rosencrants got the start and pitched well against the Warriors and her team kept her in the game with a 4-run rally in the fourth. Trailing 6-5 in the seventh, Peninsula left runners on first and second against some very tough Walla Walla pitching to end their season. Napoli went 2/4, Longmire 2/4 and Rosencrants 2/2, while Ramsey and Goplen-Dean also had hits. Coach Sankey and her staff will now shift into high gear recruiting next year's team, as they graduated sophomores Leah Bradley, Brittainy Girr, Jennifer Gold, Suzanna Goplen-Dean, Jennifer Monroe, Megan Ramsey, and Jessica Rosencrants. Rosencrants earned first-team All-Conference honors, while Longmire and Napoli were selected to the All-Conference second team. See www.nwaacc.org for scores, standings and softball news.