Softball: Lindbergh season preview

The Lindbergh softball team has a big advantage this season: With two great pitchers, they can simply throw more at opponents than most other teams.

The Eagles not only have Casey Routos, the team’s ace for the past three seasons, they have newcomer Maniqua Sanchez, who recently had 18 strikeouts against Kennedy.

“It’s a blessing,” said Lindbergh coach Paris Mamon. “If one’s having a rough day or if something goes wrong for one, you can always bring in the other kid and not miss a beat.”

Sanchez, a senior, transferred from Tyee to Lindbergh for this season. The Eagles already had an established pitcher in Routos, also a senior, who has started for the team since her freshman season. For Mamon, the choice to platoon the two pitchers was easy.

“Even though Sanchez is really good,” he said. “She’s (Routos) that good too.”

The two combined to allow four total runs and strike out 29 batters in Lindbergh’s first two games this season.

In addition to Routos and Sanchez, Mamon said Adriana Bernal will be a key to the team’s offense. He sees a lot of promise in the freshman.

“She’s a phenomenal little catcher,” he said. “I think she’ll be pretty good if she stays focused.”

Other players to watch are Kasey Sporrong, Haylee Pitt and Amanda Hanrahan.

Sporrong, a junior, plays shortstop. Pitt is a sophomore who will see time at second base and in the outfield. Hanrahan is a senior outfielder.

Outfielder Karen Fisher and infielder Juli Gidlund, along with Sanchez, Routos and Hanrahan are the team’s only seniors.

Mamon’s goal for the Eagles is to be one of the top two teams in the Seamount. To accomplish that, the team’s offense needs to be able to hit against top tier pitchers from Kennedy, Mount Rainier and playoff teams.

Contact Renton Reporter Sports Reporter Adam McFadden at amcfadden@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5054.

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