Spring sports preview: Experienced SHS fastpitch squad takes to diamond in ‘23

By Michael Dashiell • March 15, 2023 1:30 am

The roster may be a bit thin, the Sequim coach says, but it’s a dangerous lineup and a tough defensive squad.

In other words, primed for another strong campaign and run at the postseason.

The Wolves’ 2023 fastpitch squad lost three all-Olympic League first team players but brings back four all-leaguers as they seek a return to the state 2A tournament.

Overall, six of SHS’s starting nine are seniors.

“W’ll be pretty good,” an understated SHS coach Mike McFarlen said, following a preseason practice session last week.

“Our nine are pretty good.”

Anchoring the team is a stout infield led by first team all-league senior shortstop Hannah Bates and second team all-league third baseman Taylee Rome.

At first base is Sammie Bacon, while Mia Kirner and Lexi King are at second base, and Mikki Green handles catching responsibilities.

Southpaw Lainy Vig and righty Angel Wagner will look to hold opposing batters at bay on the mound in 2023.

Vig missed a good deal of game time because of injury in 2022, and Wagner capably fulfilled pitching duties, earning an all-Olympic League second team nomination.

“We’ll use both, depending on how they’re doing,” McFarlen said.

“It should be fun.”

Patrolling center field is all-league Mia Pozernick, joined by Jordan Kidd in left and Charley Sturm in right, with Wagner filling in at times in the outfield.

Last year’s squad went 8-6 in Olympic League play and 12-6 overall. The Wolves managed to advance through districts despite a 1-2 mark, and went 1-2 at the state 2A tournament — their ninth in 10 seasons that featured a true postseason (there were no state tourneys in 2020 and 2021) and sixth with McFarlen as head coach.

The Wolves opened the season at a jamboree in Tacoma on March 11, facing Juanita and host Mount Tahoma.

Sequim is at Shelton on March 15 and at Bainbridge on March 21 before hosting Bremerton on March 23.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim slugger Mia Pozernick looks for a pitch to hit in an April 2022 match-up against rival Port Angeles.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Angel Wagner pitches against Forks in a March 2022 non-league game. Wagner and Lainy Vig figure to share time on the mound in 2023 as the Wolves seek a return trip to the state 2A tourney.