League MVP: Heather Case, North Kitsap — Case’s trademark — a grunt every time she makes contact with the ball at the plate — has been heard as often as ever in her last year with the Purple and Gold. Case is hitting almost .600 at the plate, including 5 doubles, 3 triples and 2 home runs. She also has 29 hits and 19 RBIs. “Her actions have spoken for themselves,” said NK coach Dan Kolda. It’s hard to argue with her stats.”
As a pitcher, Case has a staggering .009 ERA in 73 innings of work on the season. She’s only allowed 1 earned run all year and has a 11-0 record pitching for NK. She has also struck out 90 batters this year alone, while she’s only been K’d one time all season.
First team
Diana Holland, Central Kitsap — The Cougars’ slugger’s swing was so violent that she would hit herself in the back with the bat while on-deck. She was a home-run threat every time up to the plate.
Stephanie Solarek, South Kitsap — She has a fielding percentage of .914 and is batting .250 with 5 RBI and 4 sacrifices.
Jamie Heins, North Kitsap — As North Kitsap’s clean-up hitter, Heins is hitting .469 and has driven in 21 runs in the line-up’s four-spot. But coach Kolda said she brings a balanced attack to the field as well. “It’s not just the physical talent (with Heins),” Kolda said. “She’s a cut above mentally.”
Taryn Hanley, King’s West — Hanley batted .667 late in the year with 2 home runs and 11 RBI.
Brenda Stice, North Kitsap — Stice is NK’s leader in the outfield and has been called “clutch” by coach Kolda. Batting .388 and leading the team in runs scored with 20, Stice hit the two game-winning doubles versus Bridge Division second place Port Angeles to bring about a pair of Viking 2-0 victories. “Brenda has matured tremendously this year,” Kolda said. “She’s broken down the barriers and made some tremendous progress.”
Betsie Parker, King’s West — Parker is hitting an even .500 and has driven in 10 runs this year.
Mackenzie Callaham, Central Kitsap — Callaham proved she could hit the Narrows Bridge’s best player, Case, by going 1-for-2 against the Vikings April 15.
Brianne Adams, Bremerton — Adams is 21-for-47 this year, with a .467 average.
Hope Hilman, Olympic — Hilman will play at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey next year.
Lisa Gilbert, North Kitsap — Gilbert is not only a leader on the field as a catcher but she’s a team leader in the clubhouse. “You talk about a motivator and team leader,” NK coach Kolda said. “She can take the issues when I can’t do it and knows how to inject a little spark.”
A non-select player, Gilbert is intimidated by no one in the league, said Kolda. “She was my dark horse,” Kolda added. “She won the spot (as catcher) and has carried it for the last three years.”
Brittany Miller, South Kitsap — In 58 innings pitched, she has struck out 75 batters while allowing just 28 hits and 13 walks.
Amanda Galla, South Kitsap —- Galla is 8-2 this year with a 0.57 ERA in 62 innings. She has struckout 73 while allowing just 38 hits and 3 walks. Galla leads the Wolves in hitting with a .357 average with 3 triples and 8 runs batted in.
Sara Robinson, Bainbridge Island — Robinson is 10-3 this year with a 1.52 ERA. Her strikeout-to-walk ratio is 66:5 over 83 innings this year.
Lauren Haas, Olympic — Haas, who will be an infielder at Southern Illinois next season, kept games close with good velocity and movement at times.
Coach of the year: Dan Kolda, North Kitsap — Kolda is enjoying his best season ever at North Kitsap, with 16 wins and three losses with the team’s first trip to districts in nine years. As a coach, he is always involved in every at-bat his players take, keeping the focus on fundamentals and taking it one swing at a time.
But he said he admits he’s been blessed with a bumper crop of talented and hard working players. “I’m reaping the benefits of top notch select teams,” Kolda said. “I’ve got a core group that makes my job easy — I’m along the for the ride.”
