Prep softball: Late run lifts Wasilla

May 11, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Wasilla head coach Sue Allen called her team's performance in a 3-2 win over Juneau-Douglas on Wednesday the best she has seen in two years as head coach.

&#8220By far,” Allen said.

Jordan Elkins scored on a past ball in the ninth to give the Warriors the extra-inning win over the previously undefeated Crimson Bears.

Wasilla ace Anne Wesser fanned 17 batters, and didn't allow a Juneau hit in the win.

&#8220She handcuffed those girls,” Allen said.

The senior pitcher also proved to be a major factor at the plate. She scored the game-tying run in the bottom of the seventh, and used a sacrifice bunt to move Elkins into scoring position in the ninth.

The teams needed the use of the softball tiebreaker to settle things in extra innings. In girls' high school softball, after the final regulation inning - the seventh - each team starts its half of the inning with a runner on second base.

Juneau scored in the top half of the eighth to take the 2-1 lead, but Wasilla answered in the bottom half.

Taylor Teeling doubled and scored to tie the score at 2-2.

After holding Juneau scoreless in the top of the ninth, the Warriors started the bottom of the inning with Elkins on second.

&#8220When Jordan was on second, I knew we were going to win that ballgame,” Allen said.

With Elkins on second, Wesser used a bunt to move Elkins to third.

With Elkins at third, Allen said she gave her the green light.

&#8220If the ball gets by the catcher - go,” Allen said. &#8220She's probably the most aggressive, smartest, fastest player I have.”

Juneau took the early 1-0 lead in the second, scoring on a passed ball. But the Warriors were able to tie the score in the fourth.

In the fourth, Wesser singled, stole second and reached third on a passed ball.

Sam Porecca drove Wesser home with what Allen called, &#8220a well-placed ball to the right side of the infield.”

Juneau is recognized annually as one of the top programs in the state. Since the conception of the ASAA state softball championships in 1996, the Crimson Bears have advanced to the state championship game eight times, and have four state titles to their credit.

The Bears were a perfect 8-0 prior to their meeting with Wasilla.

The Warriors improved to 3-2 with the win. Wasilla has previously beaten Palmer, Monroe and Lathrop this season.

The game, a matinee at the Bumpus Softball Complex on Wednesday, was originally scheduled for the beginning of the season in Juneau. The games were called due to poor weather in the Juneau area.

Wasilla was slated to host the Bears in a doubleheader on Wednesday, but the second game was canceled because of poor weather. Allen said she does not expect the game to be rescheduled.

The Warriors take the diamond on Tuesday in what Allen calls a key doubleheader against Colony. The Valley rivals play at 6 and 7:45 p.m.

Juneau sweeps Palmer

The Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears improved to 10-1 with a pair of wins over the Palmer Moose on Wednesday.

The Moose are still in search of their first win.

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