The Vashon High School girls fastpitch softball team has kicked off the spring season, though they have yet to see much spring weather to practice in.

The team has been able to practice on the field only five times in 20 days due to wet weather and field conditions. Most practices have been in the gym or at the new training facility by Vashon Market.

This is a building year for the team, with only two seniors playing and many younger students coming out for the first time. Of the 14 varsity players, just six have previous softball experience.

The first two scheduled games were cancelled due to rain.

The team finally had its season opener against Life Christian in Tacoma on Monday, March 19. Despite cold and wet conditions, Vashon played solid defense up to the fourth inning, only allowing two runs to score. Vashon’s only point was off a bases-loaded walk with Paige Browne scoring.

In the bottom of the fourth, Life Christian gained momentum with aggressive base stealing and pulled in seven runs.

Vashon’s pitcher Sophie Baker and catcher Brooke Whitney had two attempts at home plate to tag runners out, but the umpire ruled the runners safe. The game ended at the bottom of the fifth, when Life Christian had 10 runs over Vashon, and the final score was 11-1.

Another away game was played on Wednesday, March 21, against Washington High School.

The girls had tight defense for the first half. At the fifth inning, Vashon was up 1-5. However, Washington took advantage during a pitching change to score 10 runs. The game ended in the seventh inning with a final score of 15-7.

The team will play Seattle Christian tomorrow, and their next home game is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, against Fife.

— Jackie Merrill is the fastpitch softball coach at Vashon High School.