Woodinville Softball Making a Run at a Perfect Season

With Madi Schreyer leading the way, the softball squad is set to redeem itself in the post season after a disappointing finish to last year's KingCo championship team.

That finish led to the Falcons returning with a renewed vigor that has fueled their incredible run in 2011. Thursday, the Falcons, whom had already clinched a state berth by beating Eastlake earlier in the week, defeated Eastlake 9-3 to win the KingCo 4A tournament.

"It was unfortunate," Woodinville senior catcher and co-captain Katie Engelbrecht said of last season's finish. "Definitely this year we came out with a little more fire. That's what drives us to work harder to get to where we are."

Just how incredible have the Falcons been in 2011? Well, they took the KingCo championship this season with a 21-0 record and if that weren't enough, they did so while outscoring opponents 188-13.

That's no typo, the Falcons have indeed allowed just 13 runs in 21 games to date while ringing up 13 shutouts.

And it has all been led by their freshman sensation Schreyer.  Schreyer, 15, attends Northshore Junior High yet has an arsenal that is very un-junior high-like. Standing 5-foot-11, the right-hander has the ability to throw five pitches (rise, drop, fastball, curve and screwball) in the low 60s (miles per hour) for strikes.

"She just keeps getting better ... and performs so well under pressure and that is really when you can see her talent," said senior Shelby Yasuda.

With Schreyer and No. 2 starter Keelin Davis dominating from the mound, the 4A state championship is not only in reach for Woodinville, but something they are favored to achieve as the top-ranked 4A team in the state by coaches. The team is also ranked by ESPN Rise as the No. 40 high school program in the country.

"I think a lot of the success of this team is due to most of them having played at a very high level with their summer teams," Woodinville head coach Mark Leander noted. "They are a talented group, they are also a great group of kids.

"Talent isn't everything," continued Leander. "I have seen teams with talented players not do well because of chemistry problems. (These girls) get along great and are very supportive of their teammates."

The leadership for the Falcons is provided by captains Engelbrecht and Makenna Weir as well as seniors Michelle Lambert and Yasuda. Each one of them believes chemistry has been the difference this year.

"The team chemistry is just really, really good this year," said Lambert. "All the girls are connected even with the new freshmen. It's been a really good season."

Added Engelbrecht: "I definitely think we have a lot of chemistry on this team. The key thing that we've really honed in on is our goals. We've set certain goals and we've reached them. It's just making sure to keep with those goals."

Every team, no matter how good, has its challenges throughout the year whether they be internal or external. Rather than something internal like injuries or chemistry, the Falcons challenges have been external as they have withstood two stern tests this season by their opponents.

Against Juanita, the No. 4 ranked 3A team in the state and undefeated entering their clash in late April, the two squads played a stalemate into the ninth inning when Woodinville finally plated a run. Issaquah took a 1-0 lead on Woodinville with a run in the top of the seventh but the team rallied for two runs and the win in the bottom half of the inning.

Those moments of pressure have brought out the best in the Falcons according to Engelbrecht.

"(Those games) really tested our limits, our heart. It was really cool to see the girls ramp up and fight ... how we come together as one."

The pressure and the spotlight will be on as the unbeaten squad heads out to Spokane for the 4A state tournament beginning Friday, May 27th.

"It's all about heart this year. We really want it,"  Engelbrecht said.

One year later, Woodinville is ready to claim the state title that it deserves.