Colony, Wasilla make trip to state

While one local prep softball program made history last season, another is making history this season.

The Colony Knights won their first state tournament game in the history of their program last year and will make a return trip to the state tournament this year. The Wasilla Warriors will participate in the state tournament this year for the first time in their history.

The Knights (15-6 in 2004) earned the nine seed in the bracket and will take on eighth-seeded Sitka at 10 a.m. today at the Hez Ray Softball Complex in Fairbanks. The contest will be a rematch between the two squads. Sitka edged the Knights 4-3 earlier this season.

Colony head coach Mike Stewart said his squad is eager to take on the Wolves once again. He said his team had a solid game against Sitka, but in the last few weeks the Knights have been playing extremely well.

Colony lost just three players to graduation last year and sport 10 seniors on the 2004 roster. Nine of the team's 11 starters are seniors. Stewart said his club is led by strong pitching and strong defense.

"If our hitting ever comes around, we'll do extremely well," Stewart said.

The Knights are led by Katie Rowell, the team's ace for the last three seasons, catcher Haley Fishback and shortstop Tara Bonser.

After finishing 9-13 in 2003, the Wasilla Warriors improved to 10-10 this season.

Wasilla head coach Sam Korsmo said on the field the Warriors are led by a solid pitching corps, featuring freshman Anne Wesser, but overall the Warriors are driven by their vision. Though they have a small senior class, Korsmo said the Warriors are building a solid corps of leaders. Korsmo said players such as Carlie Douglas, Anne and Lindsey Wesser and Kaila Korsmo have provided the energy and hard work to build a quality program.

Korsmo also noted seniors Tara Brown and Chelsey Sandoval as leaders on the field.

Wasilla earned the 12th seed in the season and will play fourth-seeded Dimond at 8 a.m. in Fairbanks.