Goats persevere through injuries, look to get healthy for playoffs

CHELAN - The Chelan Goats softball team didn’t quite finish on the note they would have liked in their last home game of the season, but they sure battled. 

Despite being down their two starting pitchers due to injury, the Goats battled with Okanogan throughout and barely lost by a final score of 13-9. 

“Our girls really battled and never gave up,” head coach Jeff Barker said after the game. “We even grabbed our jv pitcher Leanna Garfoot out of the stands and entered her into the game in the top of the sixth. This was her first time to pitch in a varsity game and she was outstanding, pitching two scoreless innings with no walks and one strikeout.” 

Chelan got on the board first after Lexie Gleasman plated a run on a single in the first inning. However, Omak charged back with eight runs to take the lead in the fourth. 

Gleasman took the loss for the Goats after pitching five innings while allowing 13 runs on five hits while striking out one. 

Chelan had nine hits in the game with Katie Gleasman, Jessie Oules and Ashley Oswald each collecting multiple hits. 

Barker said that he doesn’t know if Taylor Sams will be back by the end of the year but they he expects to have Katanna Kelling back this week. 

“I know both young ladies really want to be playing for us. We have walked 27 batters and hit four in the last two games without our two pitchers, but in those two games we were right in there with our opponents. So I think that proves our girls never quit and have been battling despite the problems we have in the circle. I know all of the coaches are proud of the effort.”

Coach Barker acknowledged the seniors after the loss by saying they are the heart and soul of the team. 

“They will really be missed and next year there will be some big roles to fill. We will try to get as healthy as possible so we can make a run in the playoffs. When we have everybody we can be a very dangerous team, but with kids gone and injured it is hard to be consistent and play at our best.”

Chelan took on Okanogan on Tuesday, May 2. 

Their next game is against Cashmere on Friday, May 5. First pitch is at 3 p.m. 

Zach Johnson can be reached at lcmeditor@gmail.com or (509) 682-2213