WOODINVILLE — Kenzie Schaller smashed a ball over the head of the center fielder, leading off the game for the Skyview Storm with an apparent double.
However, the umpire ruled she was out of the batter’s box when she made contact.
That set the tone for a tough day for the Storm.
Woodinville beat Skyview 11-1 in a Class 4A bi-district softball playoff, earning a trip to the state tournament.
Skyview’s season came to an end.
“I got on second base, and I was super pumped,” Schaller said. “Oh yeah, we got this game! Then he called me out.”
Still, Schaller wasn’t shaken.
“That’s OK. We can definitely hit this pitcher.”
Or so she thought.
Instead, Woodinville’s Lauryn Rhinehart limited the Storm to two hits, and Paige Grover hit a home run and drove in three runs, leading the Falcons to the five-inning victory via the 10-run rule.
It was 6-0 by the time Schaller got back to the plate in the top of the fourth inning. This time, she crushed one over the left fielder’s head for a double.
“We have three more innings left. We totally got this,” Schaller said.
Abby Fischer would drive her in with a single, making it 6-1. Still a little bit of hope.
“I had to let go that last at-bat (a strikeout) and fight as bad as I could for my team and drive the ball,” Fischer said. ” ‘Base hit, base hit, base hit.’ That’s all I say to myself in the batter’s box.”
Woodinville would get a two-run homer from Grover in the bottom of the fourth to make it 8-1. The Falcons added three more runs in the fifth to end the contest early.
Skyview coach Kim Anthony reminded the Storm how much progress they made to reach this game — one victory away from the state tournament.
“Our starting lineup won six games last year. We went from six wins to 15,” Anthony said. “They did a good job. They just came up against a really good team.”
Schaller got to finish her high school career with that double that counted and a run scored.
“I believe I played for the best program,” Schaller said. “Coach Kim is the best coach I’ve ever had. I love the program. I love the team. I tried to give it my all this year, and I feel I accomplished that.”
Fischer, a sophomore, said she will miss the five seniors, but she is also ready for the future.
“Considering how we did last year and what we did this year, I couldn’t be more excited,” Fischer said.
WOODINVILLE 11, SKYVIEW 1, 5 innings
Skyview 000 10– 1 2 0
Wood. 150 23–11 13 0
Skyview
Pitcher — Kayla Moore 4.2 IP, loss. Highlights — Kenzie Schaller 1-2, 2B, R; Abby Fischer 1-2, RBI.
Woodinville
Pitcher — Lauryn Rinehart 5 IP, win, 7 Ks. Highlights — Jordan Boyd 2-4, 3 RBI; Erin McGrath 2-3; Rhinehart 1-3, 2 RBI; Taylor Rhinehart 3-3, RBI; Olivia Riener 1-3; Paige Grover 3-4, HR, 3 RBI; Skylar Hein 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI.
