Palmer softball squad makes school history

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

PALMER - The Palmer High School softball team has experienced a season of firsts.

The Moose earned their first wins over Valley rivals Colony and Wasilla. The squad finished the season with a winning record - also a first.

And most importantly, a 15-7 win over Colony on Friday ensured the Moose their first trip to the state tournament in the history of the PHS softball program.

"We made school history," Palmer head coach Ernie Diamond said. "The kids showed they wanted to help turn the program around, and start a winning tradition at Palmer."

Palmer opens its first Alaska School Activities Association State Softball Championships against top-seed Chugiak, Friday at 8:30 a.m. at Hez Ray Fields in Fairbanks.

Before the win over Colony, Palmer had an 11-10 overall record, but were just 5-6 in region play. For a squad to earn a spot in the state tourney, it must have a conference record of .500 or better. On Wednesday, the Moose thought they had ended the season on a high note with a 7-2 upset win over Wasilla, and a 4-3 victory over Colony. But Diamond spoke with Knight head coach Mike Stewart, and the coaches realized there was another Palmer-Colony game on the docket.

"We didn't even know about it," Diamond said.

That extra game turned out to become a blessing in disguise for the Moose. Palmer notched the eight-run victory, and secured that one win that was between the team and their opportunity to compete in the postseason.

"It was kind of cool. It was just up to us to do it," Diamond said. "That was our 12th game. It gave us another shot."

Palmer fell behind early in the final game, allowing a pair of early Knight runs. Down 2-0, the Moose exploded to score 15 runs on 16 hits.

"They were all hard-hit balls," Diamond said. "A lot of them, almost to the fence."

Diamond credits the hard work of three seniors, combined with an influx of young talent, with the overall improvement of the Moose. Catcher Amanda Turner, first baseman Talisha Rodriguez and leftfielder Jessica Harmon led the Moose as upperclassmen. To compliment its seniors, the Moose used six freshman in the starting lineup. The entire Moose pitching staff also consisted of ninth-graders.

Freshman Geneva Ratcliff and Hannah Wheeler made up the Moose two-pitcher staff.

Diamond said solid hitting and pitching allowed his team to come to this point. He also credited his team's overall

attitude.

"They have a great attitude. Everyone gets along," Diamond said. "You show them something, and they're eager to learn."

Palmer plays a minimum of two games on the opening day of the two-day tourney. Two straight wins ensure a trip to the semifinals, and a third game on Friday. With a win in the first match, Palmer advances into a 12:30 p.m. second-round game. A loss puts the Moose in a 10:30 a.m. consolation-round match.

The Moose already have had a curveball thrown at them - before the tourney has even started. Friday is not only the first day of the tourney, but graduation night at PHS. Diamond said he hopes his three seniors could possibly play in the early game, and then fly back from Fairbanks in time for the commencement ceremony.

"We want to have the seniors play in at least one game, and then fly back for graduation. We have time for them to talk to their parents, and see what they want to do," Diamond said. "If not, we can go with nine underclassmen.

"We're still going. It is a big thing."