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Chugiak High School sophomore Mariah Bookbinder slides safely into home plate while Eagle River High School senior Sarah Carlos awaits a late throw during the Mustangs' 11-2 win Friday at Lions Park.ĘThe Mustangs have lost only one game this season, while the Eagle River Wolves, last year's state champions, lost two straight games to Chugiak and Service Monday.
PHOTO BY DAN SHEPARD
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The old Hee-Haw refrain of “if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all” seems to be heard, or at least hummed, from the dugout of the Eagle River girls varsity softball team.
Coming off a state championship in their first season last year, the Wolves have had a dismal second year, losing to teams considered weaker, at least on paper, leaving head coach Doug Callison scratching his head.
“We are our own worst enemy. Sometimes it's one error right after another. There is just no consistency,” said the frustrated coach, minutes after his team's 11-2 loss to the Service High School Cougars at Albrecht Field.
The Wolves, one of the league's highest-scoring teams with several double-digit wins, were ineffective at the plate, managing just four hits, including two from Shannon Barber. Laramie Rainer and Sarah Carlos had the other shots.
Even when the Wolves attempted to make a surge, Service was equal to the challenge.
Following Carlos' one-out single through the box in the bottom of the sixth, Emily Kovarik popped up a bunt with the Cougar catcher alertly throwing the ball to first base for a double play to end the game.
The misadventure has nearly been par for the course this season, said Callison.
“I keep waiting for us to snap out of it. It could happen,” he said.
Reach the reporter at news@alaskastar.com.
