The Ridgefield Spudders are having fun.
Whether it’s cheering or singing songs from the dugout or piling up big win after big win, it is not difficult to find smiles on the faces of the Ridgefield softball team.
“We’re all basically a family at this point,” senior Madison Walker said Thursday after a 19-6 win over Columbia River. “Every day is spent with each other.”
It was a bond that was formed during the Spudders’ run to the 2A state tournament last spring and has continued into this season with the Spudders focused on a deeper run at state.
“When we have everyone come back — we lost just one senior last year — the bond that they have is two years in a row going strong,” coach Kelsey Anchors said. “So they have all these inside jokes. They have fun and laugh and the music. It’s pretty special to see that with a group of girls like this.”
That bond has created a trust among the teammates, which is producing results this season.
The Spudders opened the season with seven consecutive wins, outscoring opponents 83-18. They are 4-0 in the 2A Greater St. Helens League, winning by an average margin of 14-3.
“We really have no outs through the lineup,” senior Maizy Whitlow said. “We can count on anyone to get runners in, get runners on base. And I think everyone trusts each other, which helps us know that the next batter has our back.”
Leadoff hitter Mallory Vancleave, who has signed to play college softball at Fresno State, is hitting .593.
Walker, who has committed to Mt. Hood Community College, is also hitting .593 with four home runs and 15 RBI.
Whitlow, who has committed to Minot State of North Dakota, is hitting .500 with two home runs and 10 RBI.
And the offense doesn’t stop there with Kaylen Wingerd (.484), Makayla Ferguson (.400), Tava Whitlow (.381), Madeline Smith (.375) and Elizabeth Peery (.348) also making big contributions.
“With (batters) 1 through 9, we have an at-bat somewhere, no matter where we are in the lineup,” Anchors said. “We have confidence that the girl is going to get the job done, whether that is getting a base hit, putting a bunt down to move runners or hitting the ball over the fence. We have that 1 through 9, which is nice.”
But the Spudders learned from last year’s experience at state that they can’t simply depend on outslugging their opponents.
Ridgefield dropped two out of three games at state last spring, but both losses were one-run walk-off defeats, showing how close the Spudders came from making a bigger splash last season.
“That is what we are really focusing on now, getting better in all aspects of the game, whether that’s offense or defense,” Anchors said. “We’re working on things that we might not see right now in league, but we know that we are going to see down the line when it comes to districts or playoffs or state, all that fun stuff.”
The Spudders got a taste of that on Friday in a matchup with Skyview, a state runner-up at Class 4A last year.
Trailing 3-1 entering the top of the seventh and managing just two hits off Skyview’s star pitcher Maddie Milhorn, the Spudders opened the inning with a walk to Walker. Maizy Whitlow followed with a two-run homer to center to tie the game.
Skyview escaped with a 4-3 win when Addy Harmier homered to leadoff the bottom of the seventh.
“It’s not a league game, but I think it’s one we really want to take to see where we are at,” Anchors said Thursday before facing the Storm. “Facing Milhorn, who throws in the upper 60s, will be a good test. I think the only other pitcher that we’ve faced that throws that hard is Ella (Ferguson) from Tumwater. It will be a nice challenge for them because I think they’re ready for something that looks like that.”
The Spudders return to league play next week with games against Fort Vancouver, Hockinson and Hudson’s Bay.
And you can be sure the Spudders will be chatting, singing, laughing and having fun.
“I think our team chemistry is the best it’s ever been,” Maizy Whitlow said. “Everyone really loves each other. … The opposing coach (from Columbia River on Thursday) said we talk too much and we need to stop. I mean that’s always a good compliment because our communication is so good.”ˆ
