Prep softball: Knights, Warriors notch first win

May 1, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - A pair of local prep softball teams starting their season on a winning note.

Both Colony and Wasilla shutout visiting Monroe Catholic at the Bumpus Softball Complex on Friday.

In the first game of a doubleheader for visiting Monroe, Colony scored a 6-0 win over the Rams.

Junior Michelle Stratton was the pitcher of record, allowing no hits and striking out three in four innings. Colony head coach Mike Stewart said Stratton is the Knights' top pitcher, and will be a big factor in Colony's success this season.

Third baseman Allie Grazulis and catcher Kelsey Stein led the Knights at the plate. Grazulis recorded a pair of hits, while Stein used a double to drive in two runs.

Tonight Colony will face Wasilla at 6 p.m. at Bumpus.

The Knights face a pair of Fairbanks opponents this weekend.

On Friday, the Knights meet Lathrop at 6 p.m. North Pole plays Colony at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

In the evening game, Wasilla blanked Monroe 5-0.

Senior Anne Wesser led the Warriors on both offense and defense.

As the starting pitcher, Wesser fanned nine batters and allowed just one hit. At the plate, Wesser tripled and scored a run.

Five different players scored for the Warriors. Zandra Christensen-Vavallis finished 2-for-4 at the plate.

Wasilla meets Colony at 6 p.m. today, and Palmer at 7:45.

On Saturday, the Warriors face Lathrop at 12:30 p.m.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.