SELAH — Traveling in a school bus means the Port Angeles softball team likely didn’t exceed the speed limit on its trip to the Class 2A state tournament.
But if the Roughriders get some early hits in their state opener against Lynden at
10 a.m. today, expect them to push the tempo on the base paths to amp up the pressure on their opponent.
Bunting aboard safely, beating out grounders for infield singles and taking extra bases by catching the opposition napping are all part of a winning strategy for undefeated Port Angeles (22-0).
Two speedy sophomores help set the table offensively for the Riders.
“We play a lot of small ball, we steal a lot of bases and it wins games,” Port Angeles’ fastest player, center fielder Sierra “CC” Robinson said.
“I love stealing. I just take off and I just know nothing is going to stop me, I’m going to make it to the base.
“And we are really smart on the base paths. We practice that a lot.”
Robinson typically bats second for Port Angeles, following second baseman Natalie Steinman.
“CC has the speed that ties it all together. She’s super fast,” Steinman said.
“But we all practice base running so much that we call ourselves the ‘Attack Dogs.’
“We always try to take an extra base whenever we can.”
It starts from the opening at-bat, according to Robinson.
“Our on-base percentage is pretty good, and I think other teams can see that and it can be intimidating,” Robinson said.
“We definitely like to put pressure on from the start.”
The construction of the batting order, with two quality leadoff-style hitters in the 1-2 holes, is by design, according to Port Angeles coach and Natalie Steinman’s father, Randy Steinman.
“Natalie led the team in home runs this year and last year, and I hear, ‘Why doesn’t she hit three or four?’ Well, I like having my leadoff hitter getting on base. It’s huge. And the leadoff hitter is usually the leadoff hitter for just one at-bat,” Randy Steinman said.
“So I have confidence that the 7-8-9 hitters can get on base, and she’s still getting the RBIs.
“But if Natalie doesn’t get on to start the game, I have another leadoff hitter right there waiting in CC.
“So all season long, either they both got on or one got on, but we were in business and we were going to score. And if you can jump on teams early and get them down, mentally that’s huge.”
Randy Steinman also points to his team’s situational intelligence on the bases as a big plus.
“The nice thing about this team — we do have some speed don’t get me wrong, we have two of the fastest girls I’ve ever coached [in Robinson and Natalie Steinman] — but the knowledge they have on the bases is unreal,” he said.
“And they’ve all practiced and practiced that. Those that aren’t the speediest, they’ve just worked so hard on their base running skills and the fundamentals that they try to take advantage of every situation.
“If they see a first baseman with their back to them on pickoffs, they know to take off for second. They can read catchers and read pitchers and take advantage of opportunities.”
That’s why Steinman positions Taylar Clark in the ninth and final spot in the batting order.
“Her experience on the bases is why I have her in that nine spot, because it’s beautiful if she gets on base and we have Natalie and CC coming up,” Steinman said.
“You know the No. 9 hitter, typically they are the weakest in the lineup, but that’s not what we have there.
“If Taylar gets on it’s like having another leadoff hitter on base. Any little hit, I know she will take the extra base and score when she needs to, where a lot of No. 9 hitters are hesitant.
“Having experience there is huge.
“That’s what I say about this team, every one of these kids is capable and comfortable.”
Speed also helps the Riders defensively.
Robinson’s range in the outfield impresses Randy Steinman.
“What’s great about having her play center field is her ability to cover the left-field gap or the right-field gap. She gets to balls that other girls just won’t get to.
“Somebody hits a gap shot and the next thing you know she’s there to make the catch. And any other team’s center fielder wouldn’t be getting to the ball, they’d be chasing it to the fence.
“She gets a great jump on the ball, she really reads it well, and I don’t know if you watch her setup position out there, but she is ready to go at all times.”
If the opposition tries to flip the script on Port Angeles and play small ball, the Riders are ready.
“We can go backdoor [and throw out the lead runner] if teams are bunting players from first to second because I know CC will be there to back it up,” Steinman said.
“And I trust my outfielders will be in the right spots, so we can take extra chances to make great defensive plays.”
He also likes Clark’s penchant for charging bunts.
“She’s very good at third, she reads the hands and she’s there,” Steinman said.
“I welcome teams to bunt on us, I consider it an out.”
At state this weekend, Steinman said he has no qualms about letting his Riders roam on the bases.
“I won’t hesitate to give them the steal sign, the green light for certain situations,” he said.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 57050 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
