Nationals beat the Americans 11-7 in 18th KAR Softball Showcase

Some of the West Sound’s best softball players took the field Tuesday for the return of Kitsap Athletic Roundtable’s 18th annual Softball Showcase.

The Nationals, featuring players from league champion Bainbridge, Port Angeles, Bremerton, Sequim and Central Kitsap, found themselves down 7-2 by the fourth inning but rallied to win the All-Star game 11-7 over the Americans at Central Kitsap High School.

North Kitsap junior Makayla Stockman and Port Angeles’s Teagan Clark were named the game’s most valuable players. Stockman struck out four and pitched two shutout innings while Clark pitched three scoreless innings.

“It’s really nice to get out here with everyone else and catch up,” Stockman said.

The game normally takes place in June following the conclusion of the spring sports season but it came a little earlier this year with those sports played in WIAA Season 2. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled last year’s event.

“This game was definitely super fun to meet a bunch of new people and play with some old teammates I haven’t played with in years,” said South Kitsap senior Marisol Bergstrom.

The Americans, which featured players from North Kitsap, South Kitsap, North Mason, Olympic, Klahowya and Kingston, were swinging the bats well early, scoring six runs over the first two innings.

Bergstrom opened the game with a ground ball that ended up being overthrown at first base. The speedy Bergstrom was able to get all the way around to score on the error.

“I have no idea [where the ball went],” Bergstrom said with a laugh. “I was just running.”

Klahowya’s Bailey Watland drove home a run with a double and Kiera Chausse of Kingston picked up an RBI single to bring the lead to 3-0.

The top of the second inning featured an RBI single from Elissa Turnquist and a bases-loaded walk gave North Kitsap senior Samantha Burgh an RBI. North Mason’s Amber Johnson knocked in a run with a single in the fourth to give the Americans a 7-2 lead.

But the Nationals side chipped away at the lead. Bainbridge infielder Laura Carrillo socked a two-run single in the fourth to cut the deficit to one and Sequim’s Lily Fili tied the game at 7 in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single.

Bainbridge senior Elise Woods was at the plate for the go-ahead run as her ground ball resulted in a throwing error, allowing Bremerton’s Kaylee Bullard to score.

The game also featured a few nice defensive plays. Stockman headed to the outfield after pitching the third and fourth inning and ran full-steam into the fence to take an extra-base hit away from Bremerton’s Mia Falotico. Burgh made two terrific catches in right field with runners on base and Carrillo made a strong turn on a double-play ball in the sixth to turn away an Americans rally.

Stockman and Bergstrom both reached base in the ninth, but Bainbridge senior pitcher Miranda Grogger retired the rest of the side in order to clinch the win.

Rosters

Nationals: Elise Woods, Bainbridge; Ruby Raymundo, Bainbridge; Laura Carrillo, Bainbridge; Miranda Grogger, Bainbridge; Jada Cargo-Acosta, Port Angeles; Ava Brenkman, Port Angeles; Zoe Smithson, Port Angeles; Peyton Rudd, Port Angeles; Teagan Clark, Port Angeles; Mia Falotico, Bremerton; Kaylee Bullard, Bremerton; Marli Stodden, Bremerton; Jayla Julmist, Sequim; Christy Grubb, Sequim; Lili Filly, Sequim; Tessa Jepsen, Central Kitsap; Sydney Wallis, Central Kitsap; Gio Lara, Central Kitsap; Madison Chitwood, Central Kitsap

Americans: Samantha Burgh, North Kitsap; Makayla Stockman, North Kitsap; Anna Wetzsteon, North Kitsap; Mackenzie Phillips, North Kitsap; Marisol Bergstrom, South Kitsap; Aubrey Faucett, South Kitsap; Jordan Blas, South Kitsap; Kamdyn Hagerty, South Kitsap; Chloe Lewis, North Mason; Amber Johnson, North Mason; Audrey Johnson, North Mason; Tuesday Palmer, North Mason; Cayla Richmond, Olympic; Elisa Turnquist, Olympic; Riley Burdyshaw, Olympic; Bailey Watland, Klahowya; Shelby Perkins, Klahowya; Kiera Chausse, Kingston; Amie Venneman, Kingston; Keira Alvarez, Kingston

<em>North Kitsap junior Makalya Stockman was named one of the game’s MVPs. Stockman picked up a hit and struck out four batters in two innings. </em>Mark Krulish/North Kitsap Herald

North Kitsap junior Makalya Stockman was named one of the game’s MVPs. Stockman picked up a hit and struck out four batters in two innings. Mark Krulish/North Kitsap Herald