Flexible, unbeatable

A varied lineup on the pitcher’s mound over the past week made defensive plays for the Falcon fastpitch more varied than what they’d gotten used to. At least in one game.

Having practically stood stock still though a season dominated by senior pitcher Christie Robinson — who has pitched six shutouts this season and struck out 119 of the 258 batters she has faced — Falcon fielders got some catching and throwing practice against live opponents in two of four games between Friday and Wednesday as Robinson turned over the mound to teammates.

The Falcons went into the four-game series against Sultan, Granite Falls and Lakewood undefeated, and came out a perfect 13-0, but saw more live balls than usual coming off opponents bats.

Hosting Sultan Friday, the Falcons won a 12-2 game that saw the team’s regular catcher, Carolann Lubach, take the mound and take control at the plate. Pitching a complete-game victory, Lubach struck out eight batters, gave up seven hits and allowed three walks as the team’s fielders did the bulk of the work in putting the Turks away.

“My job was to go in and throw strikes and let my defense do its job,” Lubach said about her pitching performance.

At bat, Lubach also exercised a fair measure of control over the game, going 4-for-4 with a triple, four RBIs and scoring three times. Her catcher for the game, sophomore Shelly Burton, was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. The Falcons essentially ended the game in the fifth when they scored six runs to notch the score up to 12-2, brining the 10-run mercy rule into play

On Monday, Robinson came back to the mound against a solid Granite Falls team. In a 3-0 victory, the Falcons got the winning run in the first inning when senior Becky Gabelein wheeled home from first base on a two-out Christie Robinson double. Robinson scored on the next play, a Kelsey Broderick single. The Falcons scored their third run in the fifth inning on another Gabelein run from first base on another Robinson two-out double.

For the game, Robinson also had 15 strikeouts.

Wednesday brought Lakewood to South Whidbey for a double header. In the first half of the afternoon, Robinson was again dominant, striking out nine and allowing just four hits in an 8-0 victory. Lubach lead the Falcon hitting crew, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one RBI and two stolen bases.

The second game put sophomore Alea Robertson on the mound. In the seven-inning, 10-0 South Whidbey victory, Robertson gave up just two hits and struck out five. The Falcons did all their scoring in the first, second and fifth innings, with Gabelein leading the way on a 2-for-3, two-run performance at bat.

With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Falcons have outscored their opponents 102-6. They have two makeup games in that final seven: a May 7 game at Port Angeles, and a 4 p.m. home game against Sequim on May 18. The team’s May 4 game against Sultan has been moved up to May 5, and what was to be the home closer against Lakewood on May 11 is now an away game.

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