by RANDALL BOETGER

Orcas high school senior

The Orcas Lady Vikings softball team played a tough game last Friday against island rivals the Friday Harbor Wolverines.

The Vikings fell short in a 7-2 loss at Buck Park.

What is unusual about this rivalry between Orcas and Friday Harbor is that many of the girls have friends on the Friday Harbor team.

“It was fun being in such an intense rivalry game,” said Viking Shelbi “Big Shelbs” Rogers. “We have some friends on the Friday Harbor softball team and that made it more special.”

The Wolverines opened up an early five-run lead due to four Viking errors in the 2nd inning. By the 4th the determined Vikings had regained their composure with two RBIs sent home by junior Katie Holley, her first hit of the year, improving the score 2-5. However, the Wolverine outfielders stymied the Viking pressure by nabbing strong pop flies by Bella Nigretto, Lana Bronn, Rogers and Alicia Susol. A few more Viking errors later in the game allowed two more Wolverine runs, preventing a late game Viking comeback.

The Vikings did enjoy some fantastic defensive plays by Alena Janssen, Bronn, Susol and especially Kathryn Tidwell at second base.

“We are a young team and need experience,” said coach Scott Harris, attributing the loss to growing pains. “The Vikings overall played well, but couldn’t overcome the Wolverines today.”