MOUNT VERNON The Lakewood fastpitch team came back from a three-run deficit to win the first game of their final summer tournament doubleheader 12-8.
After vying much of the summer with sports camps and family activities for players time, the Cougars saw many of their returning starters take the field July 25 at the close of the summer season.
Lakewoods opponent, Sedro-Woolley, scored early in the game with two first-inning runs. They built on the lead with another run in the top of the second, but pitching woes became their undoing.
Sedro-Woolley gave up 10 walks in the second inning, seven before getting a first out. They benched two pitchers before settling on Larrie Bumgamer.
Despite the absence of regular pitchers Kally Behen and Amanda Bean, outfielder Amanda Nunley pitched a complete game for Lakewood and the defense backed her up.
Cougar coach Steve Barker praised Nunley for her sportsmanship.
Both of our pitchers were unavailable, but Amanda came in and threw strikes, Barker said. Amandas going to be a senior and shell be co-captain next year. Thats the type of thing captains do, they pick up for their teammates.
Lakewoods entire starting lineup scored in the second inning with clean-up batter Emily Burkholder and Catherine Dietz each scoring twice in the stretch. Nunley got her second game run in the bottom of the third when Sedro-Woolley walked the next three consecutive batters.
Despite turnout woes hindering Barkers goal to try players out in different outfield positions, the coach said he did see some potential during the tournament season.
My philosophy about changing players is if I have an established player in a position, I dont want to move her to be an ordinary player, he said, adding that established right fielder Stephanie Kushner played well at second base in the first July 25 game.
He added that catcher Rachel Backlund had continued to impress him throughout the summer.
Well the Backlund girl again was a pleasant surprise. Going into the doubleheader, she was our leading hitter, he said.
Barker was quick to add that many of his returning varsity players were reliably strong throughout the summer. While the team didnt accomplish everything we wanted to, Barker said the team will decide after next springs season whether to enter another summer league.

At Skagit Valley College

Sedro-Woolley 2 1 2 2 1 8
Lakewood 0 11 1 0 x 12