On the urging of her dad and mom, Taylor Lies joined Skyview’s slowpitch softball group as a method to keep sharp for the spring fastpitch season.
Lies, then a freshman, quickly found “slow” was the operative phrase within the sport.
“It was good, it was just really different,” Lies recalled. “I didn’t count on it to be as gradual, and lots of people are new, coming to play slowpitch, individuals who don’t play fastpitch. … I acquired actually pissed off at first as a result of I assumed it was going to be like fastpitch and it wasn’t in any respect.
“I just kept with it. I was like, it’s fun, it’s just a fun thing.”
Two years later, the Storm are grateful that Lies, The Columbian’s All-Area slowpitch softball participant of the yr, caught with the game.
Whether or not it was on the plate — the place Lies served because the group’s leadoff hitter — or as a utility participant within the area, the junior emerged as essentially the most dependable participant on a Skyview group that captured the Class 4A District 4 championship towards rival Union and reached the 4A state event in Yakima for a second consecutive season this fall.
“She’s that one kid when we look in the lineup and I’d be like, who’s next? And I would see Taylor’s name,” Skyview coach Amy Younger stated. “… There’s a sense of relief because I know she’s going to get jobs done.”
Coaches and teammates really feel a way of safety having a participant like Lies on their group as a result of they’ll all the time rely on her to ship. That’s particularly essential in a sport like slowpitch softball the place some gamers are new to the game.
However in keeping with Lies, newcomers and veterans alike got here collectively this season with a newfound vitality to push Skyview excessive. The Storm misplaced simply as soon as within the common season, swept Union in a best-of-three district championship collection and completed the season with an 18-3 report.
“When we brought the energy and everyone came together, everyone hit the ball no matter where they were in the lineup,” Lies stated.
The district championship, particularly, was the proper instance of Skyview’s development. With just one group advancing to state from the district, the Storm had additional motivation to win for his or her six seniors. The Storm fought again from deficits in each video games to defeat a Titans group that had their quantity in years previous.
“Everyone came together at the end and we really wanted it,” Lies stated.
Lies drove within the successful run with a single in recreation two, considered one of many clutch hits the junior delivered all through the season.
What actually set the left-handed hitter aside, in keeping with Younger, was her adaptability on the plate — understanding what every state of affairs known as for and executing them to close perfection. With a .595 batting common, Lies was considered one of seven Skyview gamers who hit above .500 on the season.
“Those are very high-level decisions to be making at a high school level,” Younger stated. “Just to be like, a line drive will do, or, I really need to hit the ball this time. … Having those thoughts is amazing. Being able to have the thoughts and execute them just kind of shows the level she’s at as a player.”
Lies’ softball intangibles additionally prolong to the sphere the place she’s utilized because the group’s tenth fielder, also referred to as a “rover,” who can play as a deep infielder or fourth outfielder.
“I really like it because … when I’m on the field I’m a ball hog,” Lies stated. “That position gets a lot of balls (hit) there, and I can just move. I’ll read the hitters, like, last at-bat, she hit one deep to the fence so I’m gonna scoot back, or, she hits up the middle, so I’m gonna play behind second base.”
Skyview went 1-2 on the 4A state event, one win shy of the putting spherical. Nonetheless, it was a helpful expertise that Lies and the Storm plan to be taught from going into subsequent season, notably for youthful gamers who’re nonetheless discovering their groove at the highschool degree.
Taylor Lies, a junior on Skyview’s slowpitch softball group, poses at Skyview Excessive Schol on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Vancouver, Washington. (Allison Barr for The Columbian)
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To assist ease that transition, Lies has made some extent of taking underclassmen beneath her wing, throwing with them and being a trusted voice they’ll flip to within the dugout. Bridging the hole between older and youthful gamers is her method of paying it ahead for this system.
“I would say I lean toward the younger kids because I know I was in their place once,” Lies stated. “My freshman yr, I really feel like all of the seniors and upperclassmen had been in a bunch. I used to be simply type of with the opposite freshmen, we had been identical to, what are we doing taking part in slowpitch?
“So, just making it fun (for them), because we need more girls to come back next year. Our team is going to be good next year again.”
Remainder of the All-Area Crew
Malia Byrnes, R.A. Lengthy: Junior batted .721 with 15 doubles and 35 RBI to earn Offensive POY honors in 3A/2A GSHL. Additionally pitched 70 innings for Lumberjills.
Hailee Corona, Columbia River: Junior earned 3A/2A GSHL Defensive POY honors for district champion, state-qualifying Rapids group. Batted .506 with 9 doubles and three dwelling runs.
Nivayah Henry, Skyview: Junior batted .618 with seven dwelling runs and 25 RBI. Named the 4A GSHL Offensive POY.
Madi Johnson, Skyview: Senior batted .603 with one dwelling run and 25 RBI for district champion, state-qualifying Storm group.
Ruby Lew, Columbia River: Junior batted .536 with 5 doubles and 5 dwelling runs. Additionally had a .950 fielding proportion.
Keira McGinley, Mark Morris: The junior batted .582 with eight dwelling runs and 41 RBI for the Monarchs, who reached the 2A district semifinals.
Karmynn Petrisor, Kelso: Junior 3A/2A GSHL MVP led the Hilanders to runner-up end at district championship and state event look. Batted .500 with 24 hits.
Ava Pratoussy, Columbia River: Sophomore batted .521 with 38 hits, together with eight doubles for the Rapids.
Sophia Rickard, Union: Junior batted .589 with 10 doubles, 4 triples, one dwelling run and team-high 27 RBI for the Titans.
Victoria Ross, Union: Junior 4A GSHL Defensive POY pitched 95 innings for the Titans, additionally batted .395 with six doubles and 19 RBI.
Lily Wilkinson, Camas: Junior outfielder was an all-4A GSHL first group choice for the Papermakers