As the only Magnolia All- Stars team to earn a state-tournament berth, the 10-11-year-old fastpitch team traveled to Poulsbo for the state tournament and took fourth place.
The tournament took place July 21 to 27, during the area's heat wave, where the temperature spiked at 95 degrees. "The girls really had to dig deep to keep up with the heat," Coach Teresa Buker said.
In the first game of the tournament, Magnolia lost to Kent, 9-6. The Magnolia team was victorious in the second game, where they beat Port Townsend/East Jefferson, 7-4. The third game was a tough loss to Evergreen by a score of 6-5.
"Most of this team played on the 9-10-year-old All-Star team last year and came in second in the Distict 8 tournament, manager Jack Sutermeister said. "I think that helped motivate them to work hard this year, as they really did over the five weeks of practices and games. It's no wonder they achieved the success that they did."
"We had great hitting and good bunting," Buker said. Magnolia also displayed aggressive base running.
Pitchers for Magnolia were Nora Buker, Andrea Jewett, Amry Kimmerly and Lissa Sutermeister. Catching in all three games were Emma Whittaker and Kimmy Taft.
"Everyone on the team contributed both offensively and defensively, which was quite satisfying to see as a coach," Sutermeister said. "It was apparent to me that most of all, they really liked each other and had a lot of fun."
"Our catchers did a great job in the heat," Buker said. "The entire team worked really hard."
In the three games there were many strikeouts by Magnolia's pitchers. Not only that, but the defensive support in both the infield and the outfield helped keep Magnolia's games close. "In the second game the outfielders kept us in the game with five caught fly balls," said Buker.
"The girls had a pre-game ritual for every game," Buker said. "There were three stations for batting warmups and a fourth station for hair-braiding."
The road to the state tournament began with the District 8 All- Stars tournament July 8 at the Northshore Complex. Magnolia went undefeated, beating Woodinville and Queen Anne in three games.
The 10-11-year-old fastpitch All-Stars were managed by Jack Sutermeister and coached by Teresa Buker. The members of the team include: Nora Buker, Jessica Collins, Jamie Guinasso, Andrea Jewett, Amry Kimmerly, Nina Leff, Nancy MacGeorge, Ashley Ochsner, Maddy Stutz, Lissa Sutermeister, Kimmy Taft and Emma Whittaker.
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