Last week marked the beginning of the Vashon High School girls fastpitch season. Every new high school season brings a lot of excitement and mystery, with the development of veteran players and the young talent that comes up every year. This season started a little rocky for the Pirates, who dropped their first two games, 11-1 to Seattle Christian, then 8-4 to Eatonville.

The first game of the new season at Seattle Christian was last Thursday. The Pirates were optimistic with senior Gabby Frazier on the bump to start the game. Seattle Christian showed that they are a solid team, not making an error for the first four innings of the game. Vashon got on the board in the fifth when senior Paige Browne hit a ball in the gap, scoring sophomore Mallory Breen.

Seattle Christian did a great job of manufacturing runs, scoring 11 and ending the game winning by 10. Frazier struck out eight batters in only six innings.

Vashon’s home debut was the next day as they welcomed the Cruisers of Eatonville. Sophomore Lilly Hennessey started the game pitching for The Pirates. She pitched four strong innings, allowing only five runs. The defense backed its pitcher well with amazing catches from freshman Aimee Olson and Frazier.

In the fifth inning, Frazier came in to pitch, striking out six and allowing three runs. She also added a triple to her game.

In the end Vashon came up short losing 8-4 to a very tough Cruiser team.

— Ezra Lacina is The Riptide sports editor.